I came to swing via ...

[pygmalion]

So how many people out there started out learning swing? How many started out in another discipline? If you started out somewhere else, what made you switch to swing dance as a way of dance "life?" How do you compare it to your other dance experiences?

[Swing Kitten]

I started out learning Swing and that remains my dance of choice :D

[BettyB]

I came to swing via ...

a general love of vintage aesthetics.

i work with vintage clothes, i collect vintage items and i love the music.

lindy hop was really just a logical step for me :)

[Sagitta]

I started out with swing (ECS/jump swing) and switched to latin. I know a friend who started with salsa and then recently has jumped into doing lindy as well.

[HepcatBob]

I gave up playing trombone in a local 'Big Band' to learn Lindy Hop. There were quite a few personality and artistic conflicts going on in the band, so I decided to enjoy the music from the other side of the music stand.

[SwinginBoo]

I had my first dance with my now love and that was it for me. :D

[pygmalion]

I started this topic thinking of a local couple who teach lindy hop. They started out in ballroom several years ago, made it half-way through silver, the then were introduced to lindy hop. They made the switch and never looked back. Now, they're very, very good lindy dancers and teachers. Hmm. :roll:

[foursquare]

My girlfriend and I made a deal when we first started going out together. She would watch the Eagles with me if I would take swing dance lessons.

She held up her end of the bargain (however reluctantly,) and when we both found ourselves in-between shows, I had to hold up mine.

We haven't been out dancing in a couple of months, but yesterday, our rehearsal ended earlier than usual, and we were able to get out to a place that has a dance every Sunday, and only a few miles from where we rehearse.

We'd forgotten how much we miss dancing. We were talking last night, and we're actually looking forward to next season (which sucks... not a whole lot to audition for) so we can get back to dancing more regularly.

So simple answer to your question, I started dancing because I wanted to watch football with my girlfriend.

foursquare

[Flat Shoes]

I had wanted to dance for a long time, several years. One day there was an opportunity in form of a crash course. This was for some simplistic swing type. After half a year of this, a Lindy course started up at the university I went to back then. I joined. And here I am, all addicted.

[DWise1]

After starting off with special after-work Salsa classes (which turned out to be intermediate level), my wife and I took some beginning classes through the city. They also taught beginning ECS and my wife wanted to try it since her parents have danced it for years and she wanted to learn Jitterbug. Then we started at a dance club a friend recommended, but they teach mainly WCS. My wife eventually dropped out, still wanting to learn Jitterbug. I found a Lindy teacher and started learning as a way of scouting it out for my wife, but by that time she was refusing to dance with me. But now ECS/Lindy's my favorite dance.

[alfborge]

I was getting fat, so I figured I'd start some sort of work out. I hate running, so I went to see what went on at the athletics club at my university. After watching lots of different stuff, I noticed that the guys doing Lindy Hop were sweating and smiling like crazy. I figured it was about time I learned how to dance, and so I joined the beginners course in Lindy Hop. I got hooked instantly and after almost 2 years it's only getting more fun the more I dance. Oh, and I'm not getting fat any more. In fact, I haven't been this fit since I was 6 and ran around in the woods where I grew up. :D

[pygmalion]

That's a cool story, alfborge! Thanks. I like that description,"sweating and smiling like crazy." Excellent. 8)

[Dancegal]

I came to swing via....a latin hustle 2 hour "crash course". Folks from that class were staying for a ECS swing dance and one man led me into the basic. It inspired me to learn more. Started with ECS, then Charleston, WCS and Lindy Hop.

[Spitfire]

Originally by way of country swing along with c&w 2 step.

[pygmalion]

Hi spitfire. Long time, not enough see. I hope all's well with you. 8)