Fast paced music with a beat you can dance to fills Irving Gym 200B every Monday night as the Ball State Swing Society "cuts a rug." The society was started in 1999 by Marc Musteric who was then a Ball State senior. In the society's first year, there were only 10 to 15 students who regularly attended the meetings. During the past four years, the membership has grown immensely with over 70 members this year.
The society meets at 9 p.m. every Monday in Irving gym 200B. The dress is casual and the meetings are free. For the first half hour, a new lesson is given. A short meeting to discuss upcoming events follows. Then the floor is open for dancing and time to ask for more one-on-one help.
"People can come to the meetings anytime and catch up," says Helen Taylor, president of the Ball State Swing Society. "We try to teach the basics at every meeting."
Taylor has been a member of the Ball State Swing Society for four years. She joined in the middle of her freshman year, which was the first year for the club. This is Taylor's second year as the Swing Society's president. Taylor didn't know how to swing dance prior to joining the club.
"My friend was going and I just came along with her and I have been going ever since," says Taylor. "A lot of guys joined this year. Although the number of women that attend is still higher than the number of men, there's always a chance for guys to meet girls."
Right now the swing society is teaching how to do the lindy hop, which is different from the usual style of swing dancing done in the society.
"It's the first time its been taught," says Taylor, so old and new members are learning new moves.
"I love the music and the people. You always end up smiling and laughing no matter who you dance with," says Taylor, "and you always end up having a good time."
As one of the founding members of the Swing Society, Jessica Hayes and her boyfriend Heath Butz teach most of the lessons. Butz is a Ball State graduate. Hayes has served as the society's secretary for the past three years and credits the growing interest in swing dancing to its frequent appearances in popular culture.
"You see it in movies," she said, as well as the popular music of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and the Brian Seltzer Orchestra. "I've always loved to dance and the more you know, the smoother your dancing gets."
Justin Robertson, freshman, joined the Swing Society this year after learning about it through a Ball State activities mailing he received last year.
"I just love the dancing," said Robertson enthusiastically. He also likes the people who are involved in the society. He said, "If you don't think you can dance, come! It's a lot of fun."
Sophomore, Jessica Scheckelhoff became involved in the Swing Society last year after finding out about it at the activities fair.
"I really enjoy it and it's a way to get to know new people and learn to dance and have fun," said Scheckelhoff. She describes swing dancing as "a social dance that can be energetic or smooth and intimate."
Scheckelhoff recommends the society to "people who want to meet new people." Also she said, "We pretty much welcome anyone who wants to come. New people can come in in the middle of the school year."
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