Boot scootin’ boogie of a time

Bodies twirled and country music blared Thursday when Night of Country Swing was held at the Ballroom in the Student Center.

The Pit and NOCS sponsored this event and provided snacks such as assorted vegetables and crackers. Drinks were also provided, with an option between iced coffee or water. The dance began at 9 p.m. and lasted until midnight. About 80 students and community members attended the country dance.

Dance moves such as the pretzel, the tabletop, around the world, the two step and more were seen as couples spun around the dance floor.

Participants were able to arrive an hour early to take a short lesson covering the basics of swing dancing.

One of the teachers of this pre-dance lesson was Night of Country Swing club member Quinton Shaw, 20, junior of Bassett.  Although this dance was ran by The Pit, Shaw usually helps organize weekly swing dances at a different location and time.

“I think it’s beneficial because it’s not just a dance you can do with your friends, it can be very involving with everyone. You also get to learn something new and you can add it to all the other crazy dance moves you’ve picked up,” Sam Jones, 19, freshman of Rozet, Wyoming said of the activity.

Midway through the event “Footloose,” by Kenney Loggins was played and the nearly all the dance attendees packed onto the dance floor to line dance to the popular tune. Dancers of all levels showed their moves as they hoped, grape-vined, clapped and laughed their way through the song.

The weekly swing dancing events are held at the Chadron Arts Center, Sunday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participants are able to learn moves and techniques during a teaching period at the beginning of each dance. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome to join the NOCS group Sunday for the weekly dance.