CSU Swing dance Society
Colorado State University's Swing Dancing Club
Dance Etiquette
Our club is all about having fun, but as with any dance venue, there are some basic guidelines that are important to observe for everybody's comfort and safety.
Aerials include flips, lifts, throws, drops and any other move where someone's feet are above their partners' knees at any time.
First and foremost, aerials are strictly forbidden outside of jam circles at any CSU Swing Society event. This is due to liability. Please respect our organization by refraining from doing aerials outside of jam circles; too many people have been hurt due to inexperience and lack of proper technique and safety precautions. That being said, there is an undeniable interest in aerials: they're flashy, they're cool, and some aerials require less practice than others. But all aerials can be dangerous! If you are interested in learning how to fly through the air, we suggest that you take a look at BLAM! (CSU's competitive swing dance team) or aerial-specific lessons. Even if you do know the proper technique for the aerial you would like to attempt, however, a crowded social dance floor is not the place.
Aerials
At our events, it is encouraged that everyone asks each other to dance. When asking someone to dance, it is important to use your words: a simple "Would you like to dance?" is the easiest and most polite approach. It is important to give your potential partner a chance to either accept or turn down the invitation. Don't drag someone onto the dance floor, and don't be offended if they turn you down, they may just need a rest or don't like the song, or they just don't want to. No one needs a reason to say no to dance and no one owes anyone a reason for saying no. Gender doesn't matter in the world of swing dance! If you want to lead, then lead! If you want to follow, then follow! You can also dance both and switch roles in the middle of a dance; this is called switching!
Asking Someone to Dance
When being asked to dance, remember that you always have the power to say no, for a plethora of different reasons: you may be tired, you may dislike the song playing, you may not feel comfortable. Do not, however, turn down an invitation solely based on the skill level of the person making it; dancing with people of all skill levels will only make you better! If you promise a person a dance later, remember to find them and dance with them when you are ready; don't promise someone a dance later if you have no intention of dancing with them.
Turning Down a Dance Invitation
A dance is a partnership, so it is important to pay attention to your partner. You can throw in some solo style, but pay attention to what your partner is comfortable with: don't try to force your partner into doing something fancy if they don't know how to do it and don't ignore your partner's lead in favor of doing something else. If your dance partner does something that hurts you, please tell them. Swing dancing is supposed to be a safe and comfortable activity. Also, if you bump into somebody, apologize. It happens, especially on a crowded social dance floor, so a simple "Sorry" will suffice. If you become uncomfortable during a dance, remember consent is ongoing so it's perfectly OK to walk away during a dance
During the Dance
When the Song Ends
After the last notes of the song fade away, always remember to thank your partner for the dance. In addition, if we are fortunate enough to be hosting a live band, it is important to applaud them after every song.
It is important to dance with dancers of all skill levels, from very beginners to the more advanced dancers. So if you're a beginner, don't feel shy about asking a more advanced dancer for a dance, and if you're more advanced, don't turn down those beginner dancers. And vice versa, if you're a more advanced dancer, go find those beginner dancers and ask them for a dance, and if you're more of a beginner dancer, don't turn them down because they've been dancing longer than you have. It makes everybody a better dancer, and you don't have to be a professional dancer to have a great dance! Swing dancing is about sharing fun with another. Both the lead and the follow, whatever their skill level, can contribute to this dance in equal ways. Furthermore, if at some point during your dance you have made your partner smile, consider your dance floor adventure a success!