Towson students, along with anyone else in the Baltimore area, were given the opportunity to learn a variety of dance moves from swing classics to advance aerials. - Blake Savadow/ The Towerlight

Lindy 500, sponsored by Charm City Swing and the Towson University Ballroom Dance Club, ran August 27 through 29.

“Charm City Swing does [Lindy 500] every year, but this is the first year that Towson is holding it.

We’re the only school with an attached garage and wooden floors,” Emily Shevell, a senior music education major and president of the Ballroom Dancing Club, said. “[Lindy 500] is the biggest event [the club has had], hands down.”

The classes started Friday night and were catered to beginning dancers, while Saturday and Sunday were filled with dance lessons and classes that students had registered for previously.
Friday and Saturday night, jazz band Cangelosi Cards played upbeat swing music for students to jitterbug and Lindy Hop to.

After the dance lessons on Sunday night, the Ballroom Dancing Club played a screening of “Original Jitterbugs,” Lindy Hop footage curated by Nick Williams, to give students a chance to cool down and socialize.

Some members of the Ballroom Dancing Club became involved in dancing through Charm City Swing. The teachers, Michael Seguin, Nina Gilkenson, Kevin St. Laurent and Jo Hoffberg, taught classes varying from flashy moves and airborne aerials to vintage jazz moves.

“I’m having a really good time. We use what we’ve learned and do it at night. The teachers are amazing. They’re some of the best in the country and they’re really funny. They make everything really valuable,” Nellie Catzen, a sophomore environmental studies major, said.

About 200 people showed up to the event, which has traditionally been held at Johns Hopkins University.

“We hope that everyone has fun and makes friends. We really want to make this more local, get other colleges involved and to learn more,” Bernhard said.

Students who are interested in continuing with dancing are encouraged to join the club and take lessons from Charm City Swing.

Lindy Hop - Christopher Curry/ The Towerlight