ACU’s swing-dance club invites the public to watch the club’s classic moves to the rhythm of big band music at the ACU Swing Cats’ Fall Stomp on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Windsor Hotel ballroom.
“There are not many opportunities in Abilene to experience live swing music from a big band, so if people want to hear some great swing tunes and witness pre-WWII dancing, Fall Stomp is the place to be,” said Cole Bennett, sponsor of the ACU Swing Cats.
The ACU Swing Cats was created in 2003 and exists to study, sustain and promote the culture of swing music and dance culture, said Wyatt Oden, president of the ACU Swing Cats and senior finance and accounting major from Bulverde. The Swing Cats will use the Fall stomp to engage the public, raise donations and train new members, Bennet said.
The audience will not only be able to watch the action, but to join in it as well. The Abilene Swing Dance Society will offer free dance lessons beginning at 7 p.m. for those who would like to test their swing dancing skills, Oden said.
“Fall Stomp is is a fantastic opportunity to really show people what we’re all about and how much fun swing dancing can be,” Oden said.
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. The Fall Stomp sponsored by the ACU Jazz Big Band and Abilene Swing Dance Society. Donations will be accepted and all proceeds will benefit the ACU Swing Cats.
Bennett said the donations will go towards sponsoring Swing Cats members participation in local workshops so that members will not have to pay an entry fee. The Swing Cats offer members valuable opportunities, Bennett said.
“Our members travel to local workshops in DFW and Houston where world-class instructors teach master classes to learners,” Bennett said.