Second Friday Swing kicks the weekend into action

Swing Devils of the Palouse host multiple dance related events to help bring people together while learning a new skill

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COURTESY OF COURTNEY BERGE

“I love swing dancing in general, but my favorite thing, specifically about Second Friday, is that I don’t have to drive to Moscow for it,” Michael Noel, vie president of the Swing Devils of the Palouse, said. “I live in Pullman, and it gets kind of old sometimes having to drive 20 minutes there and 25 minutes back to go to a dance event.”

EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen news editor

Swing dancers in Pullman, beware. The second Friday of November is almost here, and so is Swing Devils of the Palouse’s Second Friday Swing event at the Daily Grind.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. This includes a 30-minute East Coast Swing lesson at the beginning.

The event is free for anyone who wishes to participate, but event organizers do encourage purchasing something from the Daily Grind.

Michael Noel, vice president of Swing Devils of the Palouse, said Second Friday Swing started a few years ago because board members from the Moscow-based organization wanted to host a dance in Pullman.

“I love swing dancing in general, but my favorite thing, specifically about Second Friday, is that I don’t have to drive to Moscow for it,” Noel said. “I live in Pullman, and it gets kind of old sometimes having to drive 20 minutes there and 25 minutes back to go to a dance event.”

Noel said they move the furniture in one of the rooms for the event and take over the space with their group of participants. Courtney Berge, Swing Devils of the Palouse board member, said in an email that she loves dancing in the middle of a coffee shop.

About 20-30 people normally participate in Second Friday Swing, Berge said. Noel said about three-quarters of the participants during the school year are college students from WSU.

“I like to say, ‘If you can walk, you can dance,’” Noel said. “Anyone can come learn … it’s a great way for you to spend your time, and it’s good for you all around.”

Noel said Swing Devils of the Palouse also hosts a weekly dance starting at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Moscow Moose Lodge. He said they also started hosting LGBTQ+ swing dance events this semester.

This article has been updated to reflect the correct time for the event.