Letters

Sandra Metz
Denver

Head of the Class
I would just like to comment on Marty Jones's article about aerials ("Headbangers' Ball," February 25). I have been swing dancing for only about six months or so. I am sixteen years old and very much enjoy going out with a bunch of friends to have fun, dance and get a little air. I realize that there are a lot of risk factors with swing aerials, but I also think that it is completely unfair for clubs to ban them. Swing dancing is what I do instead of drinking, not with it. When the majority of my classmates go out to drink, I would rather dance. Banning the most fun thing about swing dancing does nothing but discourage positive activities like dancing. I personally would rather be dropped on my head (which, by the way has never happened, even after being flipped dozens of times) than get drunk and go drive somewhere. I believe that people need to be taught how to do these moves correctly instead of watching them on TV somewhere and trying it with no knowledge (which is pretty much how I learned 90 percent of my moves). If people learn these correctly and if there is enough space to dance in, then there should be no problem.

Erika Westerlind
via the Internet

Here in Detroit, we're trying to teach other swingcats that staying on the ground while swinging is as cool as flying in the air while trying to act like you're dancing. The Detroit scene was also like that, and in a way, it still is a little. However, now that swing is becoming more and more established, people here are dancing with more style and originality than trying to see which "hepcat can throw their sweet little pigeon in the air." My ankles have been cracked quite a few times, but it's like that anywhere I go dancing.

I wonder if the Denver swing scene is as hep to the jive as Detroit. Time to take a road trip!

Deor Orzame
via the Internet

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