On Saturday, Nov. 7, people of all ages put on their dancing shoes and best 1940s attire and headed out to the Kennesaw State University Museum of Holocaust Education’s Eighth Annual Swing Dance.
Each year around Veteran’s Day, the museum partners with Feed the Future, a KSU C.A.R.E program created to assist college students who struggle with food anxiety, to throw the World War II era dance. According the Museum Director Dr. Catherine Lewis, the annual dance brings in the largest donation for C.A.R.E each year, which comes in the form of canned goods and monetary donations.
This year’s dance kicked off at 7 p.m. with a swing dancing crash course so even newcomers could feel comfortable on the dance floor. Dozens of couples took advantage of the lesson and had a great time learning the basic step and a few turns to get them started. Once everyone felt confident, the Peachtree Jazz Edition’s 18-piece orchestra, along with singer Toni Byrd, took their places and filled the room with songs of the era.
The crowd danced the night away and enjoyed the event’s other activities, including refreshments and a 1940s style photo booth.
Halfway through the evening, guests took a break from dancing and cleared the floor to enjoy a dance exhibition by the KSU Swing Dance Club (KSUSDC.) The group took the floor in matching outfits, the men in bow ties and suspenders, and the ladies in black dresses and colored socks to match their lead’s bowties. The club entertained the audience with their choreographed dance to Casie McGill’s song “Rhythm,” and spectators enjoyed clapping along with the music as they watched.
According to KSUSDC’s Vice President, Anthony Romero, the dance incorporated many different styles, including jazz, east coast swing, and lindy hop. He also noted that the team has been working on the routine for multiple months, and most of the dancers in the group have been dancing for two to three years. The club’s project manager Charley Bouwmans added in that they hoped the performance would bring awareness to the club and maybe inspire students to join and try a few lessons. She also said that the group is an “eclectic bunch” and has members from all areas of study at KSU, and all would feel right at home, no matter what their major.
The evening wrapped up with a 1940s costume contest. Throughout the night, guests who had exceptional outfits were given pins that gave them entry into the competition. The final judging was based on audience’s applause, and it took a few rounds to declare a winner. Finally, the prize, a gift basket full of goodies from the museum, went to a couple that truly had the best outfits.
By the end of the night, guests were left with feelings of nostalgia and sore feet, and Dr. Catherine Lewis was happy to announce that there were so many food donations, that the table they were placed on nearly collapsed.
The KSU Museum of Holocaust Education succeeded again at putting on an unforgettable night of dancing and fun, and it was all for a great cause.
