Slide Show: Swingin’ Seattle
“Dancing til Dusk”: 16 Glorious Nights of Dancing Outdoors in Downtown Parks is in its fourth year running. The evening dances and lessons continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays until September 9. Event coordinator Lilli Ann Carey gets the crowd ready to kick up their heels.
DJ and dance instructor Ari Levitt and dance partner Whitney Evans show off a move that their beginning blues dancers should not attempt— unless they’re coming from happy hour.
Beginning dancers had to go through some grunt work before they could strut their stuff on their dance floor. On this night the focus was blues, but dancing styles also include jazz, East and West Coast swing, salsa and tango.
All kinds of shoes showed up on the dance floor (We’re looking at you, Mr. Tennis Shoe) at Westlake Park. Beginners and more advanced dancers pair off to learn, or review, the basics.
Don’t worry about bringing a partner, you’ll be paired up with someone whether you like it or not.
Dance instructor Ari Levitt encouraged dancers to really connect with their partners. “Saunter over to someone you want to dance with. Don’t run, don’t scurry—really saunter.”
While all ages were on the dance floor, nostalgic tunes brought out the best of another generation.
Rob Gardiner had never danced before in his life the first time he came to a "Dancing til Dusk" event. That was two years ago. Now, Gardiner tries to find blues dancing at least six nights out of the week. “Chasing women is good exercise,” he jokes.
