PORTLAND
- Denise Steele had a long history of studying modern
dance, flamenco, ballet, tap and ballroom, but it only
took her moments to realize that swing was the perfect
fit.
"It
felt like coming home," Steele says.
Now
a teacher
of swing
in Portland and Eugene, Steele believes the revival of
swing dance and its staying power make perfect sense.
Society was craving a new way to come together.
"Our
culture has become so isolated. People needed to connect
with one another again, " said Steele. "This is
a very cheerful art form in a wholesome environment."
Steele
also is a big proponent of the cultural aspects of swing,
too. "This is truly American art. It's a
beautiful, sophisticated, rich dance."
How
the movement regained momentum doesn't have its origin on
American soil, however. A number of people from different
countries discovered videos of old American films
showcasing the Jitterbug. They came to New York in 1985
seeking a dance leader and found one in Frankie
Manning.
Manning
originated many of the steps to the Lindy and Shag and was
still in phenomenal health.
"He
made it come alive again with new, authentic steps,"
says Steele who heard about Manning's reemergence and went
to his first workshop.
Steele
also studied under Betty Wood, one of the original Shag
dancers. When she was only 15, Wood was selected to join
the Big Apple Dancers and, with 16 other teens, performed
at the Roxy Theater in New York.
Wood
became a dance teacher, and when the revival of swing
fever hit, she taught in Sweden, London and Bath.
"It's
a wonderful way to stay active. Your muscles don't
always do what you want them to, but you'd be surprised,
" says Wood. "People my age know a lot about
dance because that's what we did back then. Anyone of my
era will probably be able to pick it up pretty easily -
most seniors have some dance rhythm.
Realizing
swing was her passion but finding no one else she could
dance with as home in Oregon, Steele began to teach swing
in Eugene to build the community of dancers. Soon she was
teaching in Salem and Portland. By 1994, Steele was
teaching Lindy Hop full time. Although Wood lives in
Florida, She Occasionally comes to the Northwest to teach
seminars with Steele.
Steele
offers sets of four-week classes. Steele's mother, who
accompanies her to classes in Portland, sits outside the
classroom as a table with flyers of class information, gum
and water for thirsty dancers. Steele says her mother was
a swing dancer and originally taught her the hop and
Jitterbug when she was a child.
"I
love to watch someone come in knowing nothing and become a
great dancer," says Adrienne Steele. "I still
dance swing at home - it's the best therapy in the
world."
Mrs.
Steele is in a position to know. She says she suffered a
stroke and afterward became sedentary. Her doctor's office
suggested that she walk a half-hour each day, but Mrs.
Steele didn't feel comfortable outside on uneven pavement.
"A
nurse called me one day and asked 'Adrienne, is there
anything you just love to do?' and I replied 'dance.'
Since then, I've been dancing everyday." said Mrs.
Steele.
Denise
Steele's classes vary in size and no partner is required
to join. She says it's a good way to meet others socially.
For those just starting out, Steele recommends the
SwingBlues or Lindy Hop, which can be done from slow to
medium tempos. The Shag is very up-tempo.
"Swing
dancing is exercise but you don't even realize it, it's so
much fun. It's a great way to get in shape and enjoy a
cross-generational sport," says Steele.
Steele's
next class sessions include a Swing Sampler, Lindy
Hop/Jitterbug 1, Lindy Hop 2 and Lindy Hop 3 instruction.
Classes start in Portland on May 7 and 10. Anyone is
welcome to attend Swing Sunday at the Crystal Ballroom on
May 6 in Portland (lessons with Denise Steele at 4p.m.,
dance from 6 - 10 p.m.). In November, Steele is bringing
Frankie Manning to the Northwest for Lindy Hop workshops
in Portland and Eugene. For exact dates and times, look up
www.thejointisjumpin.com
or call (541) 343-7826.
