Jazz Swing Dance provides some mood music
Students and community members show off their swing dance skills during the annual Jazz Swing Dance at Moses Lake High School Friday.
MOSES LAKE - Students and community members were "In the Mood" to swing dance Friday at the Jazz Swing Dance held by the Moses Lake High School Jazz Bands.
About 150 attendees were able to show off their swing dance skills and learn some new moves from instructor Ty Ballinger in the high school commons. The MLHS Jazz I (Gold) and Jazz II (Maroon) kept the jazzy tunes playing with both fast and slow songs.
"This is a family event," said Frankie Stevens, who has two children involved in the jazz bands. Her daughter, Autumn, is a senior and plays trumpet for Jazz II. "I like the music," Autumn said, and learning about jazz and being able to express herself through it.
Proceeds raised at the dance go toward the ASB, Stevens explained.
Dan Beich, MLHS band director, explained the theme of the dance is chosen from the titles of jazz songs. This year's theme was "In the Mood," and the band also played it during the dance. Each year they also try to have an alum of MLHS who was involved in jazz, or a professional jazz musician, perform a solo during the dance.
Holding the Jazz Swing Dance each year is a way to connect the arts with the community, Beich said. He enjoys seeing people come out and have fun, including his family and friends who giggled and danced the whole night, he said.