On Valentine’s Day, the University of Wisconsin-Superior once again hosted its Valentine’s Swing Dance in the Yellowjacket Union. The yearly tradition has been welcoming lovebirds from all around the Twin Ports for more than ten years, and this year, in what may be the swing dance’s final season, the Yellowjacket Union hosted both firsts and lasts for its performers.
One of those experiencing firsts was Gabrielle Northern, a freshman Music Performance major on the trombone, who’s debut as a vocalist took place at the dance.
“I was always really into vocal stuff, but never really told anybody,” said Northern.
It was Northern’s performance of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies” which took a few attendees by surprise, and drew cheers and support from around the dance floor.
Greg Moore beckoned for the trombone player Gabrielle Northern to come to the stage and sing.
Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva |The Promethean
“Not going to lie, I was a little scared. Greg (Moore) did the little hand motion to come down and it was like ‘Oh crap, we’re doing it now, this is terrifying!’”
Eventually though, Northern grew comfortable on the microphone, and is looking forward to picking it up again soon.
“I made eye contact with Keagan (Hanson, a fellow UWS music student) and he was absolutely vibing and I was like ‘I’m doing good,’ then I got to the middle section where the band splits off and I take a break from singing and they were all doing their thing and I was like ‘Okay, this is fun, this is nice.’”
Students enjoy their time by laughing and smiling at the fun
swing dance moves.
Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva |The Promethean
As for the lasts, this years swing dance marked the last for the event’s founder, Dr. Greg Moore, who will be retiring from his position of Professor of Music and Jazz Program Director at the end of the semester.
Logan Erickson, a Music Education major in his senior year, has been with the Jazz Program and performed at the swing dance for the last 4 years, but has knew Moore even before attending UW-Superior.
A couple snuggling in close watching and waiting their turn to swing
dance to their favorite song.
Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva |The Promethean
“I think I have more memories here with Greg than just about any other student, because I’ve just known him for so long,” said Erickson. “I met Greg when I was in high school, when I was fifteen or sixteen, and I’m 23 now.”
It’s not just the swing dance though as, according to Erickson, Moore’s influence on the areas music scene goes far beyond the blue zoot suit he dons every year on Feb 14.
“He’s the jazz guy of the area! When you think of jazz in the Twin Ports, Greg is there.”
Twin Ports community members swing into
action. Twirling to their hearts desires.
Photo by Sama (Sky) Abdullayeva |The Promethean
If this was indeed the final Valentine’s Swing Dance at UW-Superior, than those involved can feel good knowing that, like it always does, the event went out with pizzazz.
