Swing devotees still chase the dream from room to room

More than a decade ago Chandler resident Chad Michael Lawson sat in a DJ booth playing swing music CDs for nightclubs packed with dancers.

In the late ’90s, swing music was in the midst of a culture revival as modern swing bands and swing-themed films sparked a renewed interest in the music and culture that defined the 1940s.

Although the fad was short-lived, Lawson and about a dozen other dedicated dancers have kept it quietly thriving in venues throughout the Valley.

“The scene is a lot different today, but we’ve always maintained swing in some form,” says Lawson, who now DJs swing music from his iPod to a much smaller crowd. “But it’s usually a situation where we’re hidden away in churches, high school gymnasiums or coffee shops.”

That was until last July, when Lawson and his partner started a swing night at Club Red in Tempe. Their goal was to provide a stable swing night in a club setting.

It’s one of nine venues across the Valley that hosts a swing night. And although the crowds are smaller than they were in the heyday of its revival, swing nights attract hundreds of new dancers, as well a small group who have followed the swing scene from venue to venue for more than a decade.

SWING GYPSIES

Because swing is constantly migrating to different venues, some of the dancers, like Phoenix doctor Steve Davidson, call themselves “swing gypsies.”

“We’re constantly relocating,” he says, wearing suspenders, tie and vintage fedora. “We don’t spend much money on alcohol. We come to dance. So places will have us fill a slow night for a while and then cancel it when they find something more profitable.”

Sometimes that means dances are held in roller skating rinks, bookstores or gymnasiums that don’t have air conditioning. But it’s worth it for Davidson, who has followed the scene for more than ten years, mostly for the aerobic benefit of dance.

“I went to the gym and people were lifting 100-pound weights and none of them looked very happy,” he says. “I came here and people are lifting 100-pound girls and they all have huge smiles on their faces.”

And although swing nights are constantly changing venues, a dedicated following is what keeps swing nights alive every night of the week.

“You have people who truly enjoy the dance. You have people who appreciate the music, appreciate the history,” says Josh Leitz, who teaches dance at swing night at Club Red.

REVIVAL’S HEYDAY

At the peak of its revival, the Valley’s swing scene was more than just something to do, it was a lifestyle, says dancer Chuck Molter.

“People used to come all dressed up,” says Molter, who has been dancing consistently for 12 years. “The girls would get real competitive, with their vintage dresses and authentic ’40s hairdos. Guys used to wear suspenders, ties and hats.”

Bands would play live shows on at least a weekly basis to crowds of hundreds.

“It’s much more casual today,” Molter says. “But the scene is very busy. There’s a lot of new people coming in all the time.”

The reason swing attracts so many new people is because of its widespread appeal, says Mesa resident Patricia Rutledge, who has been dancing for about a year.

“I love it. It’s always a fun crowd of really friendly, fun people,” she says. “Plus it has multigenerational appeal. I can bring my kids and there’ll be parents and grandparents all dancing together.”

While many of the dancers miss the scene when it was at its peak, others like Lawson believe that swing has evolved and found its own.

“It was great to have the exposure,” he says. “But the dance we’re doing today is much more mature and developed. And that’s more deeply satisfying.”

WHERE TO SWING

MONDAYS

What: Hepkats (The Women’s Club of Mesa)

Where: 200 N. Macdonald

When: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (lessons from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Cost: $5

Information: (480) 205-4151

TUESDAYS

What: Swing Night at Earl’s

Where: 15784 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale

When: 8 p.m. to midnight (lessons from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Cost: $5

Information: (602) 717-2787

WEDNESDAYS

What: Club Red Swing

Where: 2155 E. University Drive, Tempe

When: 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (lessons from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.)

Cost: $5

Information: (602) 405-1482

THURSDAYS

What: ASU Main’s Student Recreation Complex

Where: ASU campus small gym

When: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (lessons from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

Cost: Free with $50 membership to Student Recreation Center; nonmembers cannot attend

Information: (623) 206-1747

FRIDAYS

What: ASU Main’s Student Recreation Complex Swing Dance

Where: ASU campus small gym

When: 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with $50 membership to Student Recreation Center; nonmembers cannot attend

Information: (623) 206-1747

What: Swing dancing at Bookmans

Where: 1056 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa

When: First Friday of the month, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (lessons from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Cost: Free

Information: (602) 717-2787

SATURDAYS

Where: Kats Korner Dance at New Horizon School for Performing Arts

Where: 446 E. Broadway Road, Mesa

When: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (lessons from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Cost: $7 or $5 with student ID

Information: (480) 205-4151

SUNDAYS

Where: Swing dancing at Chances Are restaurant

When: 7570 E. Sixth Ave., Scottsdale

When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: Two-drink minimum

Information: (480) 205-4151