2008 Woodie Awards
It don't mean a thing if …
Cole Cheney - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: 80 Hours
VEISHA is fun when you are 6-5, 250 pounds, and wrestled pigs in the womb. For the rest of the world, who don't have access to a) a car, b) an ISU student wristband, and c) a year's supply of Muscle Milk, the Hawkeye Swing Festival presents a viable alternative that compensates for its lack of riot police and all-you-can-eat funnel cake with the smooth sounds of the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. Jivin' from the IMU to the Currier multipurpose room and all the way out to Des Moines today through April 13, the dance fiesta is for the advanced and intermediate, and it even has room for the flat-out horrible dancers. Not to mention that it will tap dance on the face of VIESHA, despite committee members' proclamations.
"VIESHA was never in our minds when planning this event," said Michael Brafford, the driving force behind establishment of the festival. "This event is about meeting new people and sharing our excitement for swing dance and jazz music."
Following the same template as a Wakarusa or Lollapalooza, the three-day extravaganza features a sexy blend of competitions, food, and mingling. Incorporating the beat of hip-hop into their style, the swing dancers landed mix master Mikey B. and Travis Whetman, among other DJs, to ensure that dancers never follow the same beat twice. Along with musical prowess, beginners can watch national jitterbug champions 23 Skidoo perform. It's the fervent love from teams such as Skidoo that keeps this art form from falling into the file cabinet marked "antique."
"Anyone who has heard of the Ultimate Lindy Hop showdown or has been to a dance at the Old Brick knows that Lindy hop is a thing of vitality, emotion, and going ape-shit on occasion," said Sarah Carney, an Iowa State graduate who frequently makes the to trek to Iowa City to teach beginning classes on swing dance.
These beginners, though double-left-footed to begin with, craft this festival and its parent, the UI Swing Dance Club, into the success it has become.
"VIESHA was never in our minds when planning this event," said Michael Brafford, the driving force behind establishment of the festival. "This event is about meeting new people and sharing our excitement for swing dance and jazz music."
Following the same template as a Wakarusa or Lollapalooza, the three-day extravaganza features a sexy blend of competitions, food, and mingling. Incorporating the beat of hip-hop into their style, the swing dancers landed mix master Mikey B. and Travis Whetman, among other DJs, to ensure that dancers never follow the same beat twice. Along with musical prowess, beginners can watch national jitterbug champions 23 Skidoo perform. It's the fervent love from teams such as Skidoo that keeps this art form from falling into the file cabinet marked "antique."
"Anyone who has heard of the Ultimate Lindy Hop showdown or has been to a dance at the Old Brick knows that Lindy hop is a thing of vitality, emotion, and going ape-shit on occasion," said Sarah Carney, an Iowa State graduate who frequently makes the to trek to Iowa City to teach beginning classes on swing dance.
These beginners, though double-left-footed to begin with, craft this festival and its parent, the UI Swing Dance Club, into the success it has become.
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