Doin' the swing thing

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

By Aggie Hall/For the Advocate

They came in their SUV’s, not Model T’s, or Nashes or Hudsons. Although their hair was a little greyer and their pace a bit slower than when they first heard some of the tunes played, all enjoyed the Plain City Big Band Dance held Friday, May 7, at the St. Joseph Activity Center. Even those with two left feet could not help but tap their toes and some even ventured out on the dance floor.

The doors swung open at 6:30 p.m. with a dozen people making their way to the dance floor. Most of the crowd was dressed in 1940s era attire, making those in attendance feel like they were ready for Benny Goodman or Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.

A live eight-piece band, “Classic Swing,” provided a smooth tempo and a contagious beat. Historically, swing music is a combination of many music styles including jazz, the blues, rock-and-roll. In all, there were 45 songs played that evening.

During the dance, a scrolling slide show presentation by the Plain City Historical Society featured local veterans, past and present. It also showed historical photos taken in and around Plain City. Overheard from the crowd a few times were comments like, “Oh, you looked so young or look how skinny you were!” when a photo was displayed.

The evening began with a blessing given by Father Patrick Toner, of St. Joseph’s parish, and he concluded by paraphrasing a quote he once heard, saying, “No rap, no Madonna, it’s music like you wanna,” which brought forth a chuckle from the crowd.

In anticipation of the event, the Plain City Public Library offered a series of free three dance lessons taught by a professional instructor. Twenty people participated. The lessons paid off because all dancers on the floor looked liked they had been dancing for years, and had just arrived from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel’s Roosevelt Grille in New York.

There were over 100 people in attendance, many of whom were from Plain City. A few folks from Columbus ventured out to enjoy the evening’s festivities. Among them were a dating couple, Becky Armstrong and Valentine Gliech.

“A friend mentioned it to me and we decided to come tonight,” said Gleich. He went on to say, “I think this is the greatest thing ever — where else in central Ohio can you find something like this?”

His girlfriend Becky Armstrong added, “We’ve moved some muscles we didn’t know we had.”

“Classic Swing” provided “some of the sweetest music this side of heaven” for the evening. Male soloist Greg Patterson shared a few thoughts regarding swing music in America.

“Swing music touches people’s hearts,” he said. “It makes people want to dance. It is a lost art but it still captures their imaginations.”

“Get lessons and get back out on the dance floor,” he encouragingly added. “It is something America should never lose.”

Whether they made it onto the dance floor or not, it was obvious that these big band devotees enjoyed themselves. It brought back many fond, nostalgic memories for those who were a part of that era and provided a glimpse of the past to those who were not. The only difference between then and now was that the gentlemen did not have to have their lady dance partners home before midnight.

About the only thing missing was a torch singer, but Greg Patterson more than made up for that.

The event was hosted by the Plain City Public Library. Sponsors included: Edgewater Place Assisted Living, The Convalarium of Dublin, Main Street Treasures, The Richwood Banking Company, The Plain City Historical Society, The Friends of the Plain City Library, American Legion Post 248, V.F.W. Post No. 3268, The Lions Club of Plain City and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Because of the generosity of these sponsors, the dance was free to the public.