Learning to "Peck" and "Mess Around"

On Wednesday, the hubby and I drove down to Mountain View and engaged in our first formal swing dancing lesson in years. Our teachers were Lori and Elliot from Cheryl Burke Studio, and although the price was a bit steep ($16 for a one-hour group lesson followed by a three-hour dance “party”), we enjoyed the experience.

Matt and I met one another in college as members of the University of Florida’s Swing Dancing Club, and although we’ve continued to dance together at weddings and events, we haven’t really progressed beyond East Coast Swing or learned any new moves since taking lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Jupiter, Fla., in preparation for our March 2012 wedding. Earlier this year, we attended a free Lindy in the Park session within Golden Gate Park, and the instructor informed us of a regular, Wednesday-night Lindy Hop lesson at Cheryl Burke Dance off Shoreline Boulevard near Google’s headquarters. So we went.

The beginner session began at 8:15 p.m., and we were amazed by how many people attended – at least 100 – and surprised to discover men outnumbered women. As a “follow,” I rotated around the massive circle, while Matt, a “lead,” stayed put, both of us switching partners every five minutes or so during the lesson. As awkward as it is grasping a stranger’s sweaty palm, we did meet some friendly people, observed a room full of talented dancers and perfected our Lindy “hopping” with some passes, turns and, our favorites, the “Mess Around” and “Peckin” moves.  Lori and Elliott proved exceedingly jovial — and energetic.

Although men generally dance as leads and women dance as follows, this particular lesson featured quite a few participants willing to “gender bend” into the opposite role. At one point, I swung and swayed with Rachel, a 20-something who knows how to follow but is learning how to lead. I gravitated between pity and hysteria, however, when I peered across the lopsided circle to discover Matt was in the process of twirling a big, burly man. I hope I can convince him to return!