By Alexei C. Summers (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 2, 2011
If you amble on down to the Abbotsford Seniors Association, at 33889 Essendene Avenue on Sunday evenings, you might just stumble upon one of Abbotsford’s best kept secrets. I am, of course, referring to Suburban Swing, a swing dancing event that occurs every Sunday night. The evening always begins at 7:45 p.m. sharp with an hour long instruction from professional dancers, allowing even the clumsiest oafs in possession of two left feet to become somewhat competent on the dance floor. After the lesson, the rest of the evening is spent grooving to some jazzy tunes, moving, and swaying to the rhythm.
If you’re a student, entry is just $7.25. For everyone else, the fee is $8.25, unless one is either visiting from Vancouver, or from the United States of Eh, in which case the fee is dropped to a nice low price of $6.25.
Even still, you might find that people you invite to join you on this joyous evening out are reluctant to come. Often times they will issue forth flimsy excuses that wouldn’t even fool that Brick Tamland fellow from that Anchorman movie. One can see the fear in their eyes, see their palms sweating, almost hear the heart palpitations, and just generally sense their apprehension, but really there is little to fear. Anyone can dance. Yes, you might suck more than some other people, but they probably sucked at some point in time too. It’s all a matter of sticking with it, so you don’t suck so much. Even so, you will still find some people will refuse to come.
Yet that does not deter the long list of regular dancers who attend week after week, improving their steps a little bit each time. Bryce Bushe, long time worker at the event, had this to say regarding the popularity of Suburban Swing, “I’d say the reason it’s so popular is mostly because of word of mouth. It’s always been very popular. We have a lot of the same people returning week after week.”
Suburban Swing, running since 2000, is the Canadian West Coast’s largest swing dancing club, and it is headed by Jason Warner. “It’s been almost 12 years now,” said Warner. “It’s a good time, and people seem to enjoy it.”
The evening lasts until 11 p.m., which might not seem like a very lengthy time just thinking about it, but when you’re on the dance floor you’ll probably be quite exhausted by the time the clock strikes 11. It is quite the workout.
The tunes played are old jazz, and blues classics, and beloved favorites like Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and of course, Frank Sinatra. Everyone is sure to like something that is played.
So if you want to have a good time in Abbotsford on a Sunday night, and aren’t sure what to do, take my advice: shine up your old dancing shoes, and head down to the Seniors Association Hall. You’re guaranteed to have a splendid time.
