Nonprofit Organization Helps Oklahomans Swing In The New Year

Instead of ringing in the New Year, The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate is swing dancing into 2024.

The style of dance was developed in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s when jazz music was at its peak.

"It has a really strong beat, and it is just a very simple move to the music and expressing your body through the music with a little bit of structure," said Rita Robbins, one of the founders of The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate.

The nonprofit organization hosts dances on the first and third Saturdays of every month at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Tulsa's Brookside. Each dance starts with a 30-minute beginner lesson at 7 p.m.

Robbins said swing dance is rather simple and starts with a six-count of step right, step left, and step back, also known as the East Coast Swing.

"It is not about polish, it is not about precision, it is not about perfection, it is a street dance, and it is about having fun," she added.

Since the organization was founded, The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate has held an annual New Year's Eve dance. This year's dance has a Roaring 20s theme in celebration of more than 100 years of jazz music. Guests are encouraged to wear 1920s dress, vintage attire, or their New Year's Eve best.

The event is open to the public and will feature a swing lesson, social dancing, and those who bring a shareable dish will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

Emily and Jonathan Gillett have been a part of the organization for many years and also teach swing dance.

"It is what we consider a social dance, so we encourage people not to come just to dance with a partner but to make friends and grab different people for each song," said Emily.

The Gillett's travel the world competing and said for a century, this style of dance has been bringing people together.

"We get to meet people from all over the world, and it is really cool to meet people who maybe we cannot communicate with," Emily continued saying, "We do not speak the same language, but dance is our language, dance is our common language, and we get to share that with them."

The New Year's Eve dance is on Sunday, December 31st from 9 p.m. until midnight. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students over 12 years old. The church is located at 3500 S Peoria Ave.

To learn more about The Oklahoma Swing Syndicate, visit their website here.