The University of North Dakota Swing Club recently hosted an event Friday Jan. 24, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. that brought students together to dance, socialize, and enjoy live music. Organized by Maysa Christman, the club’s president and avid dancer, the event drew about 100 attendees, double the anticipated turnout.
The Swing Club meets every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the UND Wellness Center. These two-hour sessions allow students to learn swing dancing in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The first hour focuses on lessons, where beginners and experienced dancers can develop their skills, followed by free line dancing during the second hour.
The club encourages participation from dancers of all experience levels. While many attendees bring a partner, solo dancers are paired with others and quickly find the group to be friendly and supportive. The social aspect of the club is one of its biggest draws, with members enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and build connections.
“It’s nice because you can come as often or as infrequently as you’d like,” Christman said. “You don’t need to know how to dance to join; it’s very social and open to everyone.”
Planning for the recent event began in September, with Christman leading the efforts. Despite limited preparation time, the event came together successfully, exceeding expectations.
“I didn’t think this many people would come,” Christman said. “We had to print more waivers at the last minute.”
The high turnout presented both excitement and logistical challenges. As the night progressed, tables were rearranged to create more space for the growing number of dancers. Two-row line dances, a staple of barn dances, were expanded to four rows to accommodate everyone who wanted to participate.
Two-row line dances, also known as “progressive partner dances,” were a highlight of the night. These dances involve participants forming two facing lines, moving in sync with their partners. Songs like “Fishing in the Dark” had dancers participate through synchronized movements, occasional turns, and brief connections as they moved across their lines.
Although the club considered the event a success, Christman noted some areas for improvement. The venue’s capacity and ventilation were significant challenges, particularly with a large crowd.
“It got really hot in that room with so many people,” Christman said. “The air conditioning wasn’t great, so a bigger space with better ventilation would be ideal.”
Despite these challenges, participants stayed engaged throughout the evening, taking breaks as needed and hydrating with water provided at the event.
Live music was a key highlight of the event. Christman collaborated with Dakota Love Affair, a band led by guitarist Waverly Matson. The group also included lead singer Michael Hennen, bassist Alex Christensen, rhythm guitar Christian Buechler, and drummer Xander Gibbons.
“I’m friends with Waverly, so I just texted him to see if his band would be interested in playing,” Christman said. “I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on the band and their setlist. They were a big part of the night, and I’d definitely have them back.”
The live music added a dynamic element to the evening, creating an immersive experience for dancers and enhancing the event for participants.
For Christman and the club, swing dancing is more than just learning the steps. It’s an opportunity to connect with others and enjoy a fun, social activity that encourages confidence and creativity.
“It’s not just dancing,” Christman said. “You don’t have to know how to dance, and it’s also very social. It’s a great way to meet people and have fun.”
The strong turnout and positive feedback from the event have sparked discussions about future plans. Christman said the club is already considering hosting another barn dance next school year, using the lessons from this experience to improve planning and execution.
“Now that we know how many people are interested, we can plan for a bigger space and be more prepared,” she said.
In the meantime, the club will continue its weekly meetings, providing a space for students to connect, learn, and grow through swing dancing.
Students interested in joining or learning more about the UND Swing Club are encouraged to attend weekly meetings at the UND Wellness Center. To stay informed about upcoming events, they can follow the club’s Instagram account, UNDSwingClub, or send a direct message to join the email list. Weekly reminders are sent through both platforms to keep members updated.
Davíd Moreno is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at davíd.moreno@und.edu.