The annual Swing Devils of the Palouse Halloween Dance takes place Thursday in the Moscow Moose Lodge from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The event will include a beginner lesson, a beyond-the-basics lesson and a beginner East Coast swing lesson from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterward, the event will open up to social dancing.
Kelsey Stevenson, a Swing Devils of the Palouse board member, said the East Coast swing is a vintage, six-count dance, which is accompanied by big band jazz music.
The style of dance is easy to pick up and fun to do because there are lots of ways to be goofy, improvise and stylize one’s dancing, she said.
“All ages and experience levels are welcome,” Stevenson said. “We always have a mix of students and community members, so it’s a great opportunity to connect with the Moscow-Pullman community. We love teaching beginner dancers, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know to get out on the dance floor and have fun.”
Stevenson said attendees are encouraged to wear costumes, but they don’t have to be intricate or group costumes. People don’t even need to wear a costume at all — but can attend in whatever they are more comfortable in. A costume contest will be held for those who dress up.
“Last year, a couple dressed up as the couple from the movie ‘Up,’ which was adorable,” Stevenson said. “We’ve also had big group costumes, like multiple characters from a movie.”
Geoff Keller, Swing Devils of the Palouse president, said some of his favorite costumes from years past include a group dressing up as characters from the board game “Clue,” and someone dressing up in an identity thief costume.
“It is really fun to see how creative people get with their costumes and how they go about dancing in those costumes,” Keller said.
Some of the costume contest prizes include Swing Devils T-shirts, free entry to weekly swing dancing at the lodge, candy and some other Halloween items, Keller said.
Compared to other dances, such as ballroom style dancing, swing can be personalized to individuals and their different personalities, Keller said. It is also a good way to participate in a physical activity in a fun environment for all ages and experience levels.
Cost is $3 for students and Swing Devils members, as well as $5 for general admission.
Allison Spain can be reached at [email protected]