Written by: Morgan Johnson, Media by: Steven Potter
What a blast from the past. Friday, February 13th, the night before Valentine’s Day, the Greenville College Student Association hosted a romantic evening of swing dancing. The most intriguing part about this soiree was how open it was to the community. Several couples from all around the Greenville area flocked to the dining commons on this unique evening. When everyone walked in, there was an atmosphere of elegance tables and chairs decorated to match the mood. People were greeted with by a photographer to capture the evening with significant others and friends. The sound of smooth jazz mixed by our own Logan Welliver, helped set the mood for the entire evening.
Once the guests had arrived, and seats taken, a dance instructor from Collinsville instructed everyone on the basics of swing dancing. With much hesitance, couples and partners began learning the graceful steps that have been passed down through generations. At first, toes were stepped on and bystanders could hear the nervous laughs of eager learners. For the first hour, dance instructors modeled the steps for partners. After the dance moves proved to be successful, a prayer was said and everyone returned to their seats.
The food was eaten in three courses, served by student waiters and waitresses. A fresh garden salad with a couple of popular dressing choices made for a tasteful appetizer to set the ambiance. Once the salad was cleared away, a colorful plate was set before each guest containing almond green beans, grilled chicken topped with a delicious creamy sauce, and golden crispy potatoes. Not to mention the always-classy endless breadbasket made for a very satisfied stomach. To top off the dinner, guests chose between a rich chocolate cake and a creamy fruit yogurt. Both were great choices for the end of a wonderful meal.
Beautiful music played by our own student musicians began picking up the beat, encouraging the guests to dance with their partners. Men held their women’s hand and carried them on to the dance floor. Laughter filled the air, and everyone was taken back in time by the music and atmosphere.
Skill level did not matter, there was a wide range of dancers, including partners who danced like something out of Footloose, and others who were working on the simple basics. Everyone was intriguing to observe. The guests were content with the entire evening.
Elizabeth Honeycutt said, “This was a wonderful evening, and I enjoyed the delicious food!”
Aleah Jenkins found the dancing to be quite enjoyable stating, “I loved the music, Quinn and his band killed it. The dancing was great though there could have been more switching of partners so that everyone could have a chance to dance. More events like this would definitely attract a larger audience of people.”
The whole evening was the peak of elegance at Greenville College. More events like this would be encouraged. It was a night to remember.
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