Derby City Bop keeps swing dancing alive

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Derby City Bop is Louisville's oldest and only club dedicated to East and West Coast Swing, Shag and Bop style dance and music.

The group has been around since 1989.

The dancers meet every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 10:00 at The Moose Lodge on Fegenbush Lane.

Newcomers are welcome.

Derby City Bop is a collection of people spanning all age groups.

The group helps preserve a great American dance style collectively known as "Swing." "Swing" encompasses dozens of different dance styles and hundreds of variations. You'll hear names like Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Carolina Shag, Bop, Beach Bop, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Imperial Swing, Jump Jive, and many more.

Most of these dance styles are local or regional variations of swing style dances, probably originating from the Lindy Hop.

The energetic style was born in the dance halls of Harlem in the 1920's, most notably at the Savoy Ballroom.

The Derby City Boogie Dancers, a nonprofit group from Derby City Bop, is dedicated to keeping the old swing/bop, shag/jitterbug dance and music alive. The community group has visited senior living facilities, has welcomed home veterans from Freedom Flights and has given exhibitions at various venues over the years. It has almost 500 members in Louisville.

The next special event is Boot Scootin' BBQ Beans N Boogie Dance on Saturday, September 8, 2018.

Click here to get connected to Derby City Bop.