Introducing my Kids to the World of Swing Dancing with the Jive Aces

I can’t dance very well.   Like AT ALL.  In fact, there’s a reason I decided to learn about large stereo systems and become my school’s DJ at dances — because I was a reserved disaster on the dance floor.  But, this is not a trait I’ve wanted to pass on to my kids, so my wife & I decided to introduce them to Swing.

Before going to see the incomparable UK swing band, The Jive Aces at the historic Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom this weekend, we had shown our 3 & 4 year old kids the Jives’ catchy video “Bring Me Sunshine” on our computer.   However, my daughter had personally figured this video was in the same classification as watching “Let It Go” or “Do you wanna build a snowman” clips from Frozen.  Clearly, the Jives didn’t ACTUALLY exist.

But then, on our way from the car, across the long bridge into Glen Echo, it started to sink for my 4-yr-old daughter that we were seeing the Jive Aces for real. The following conversation occurred:

Mackenzie:  “Are the Jive Aces real?”
Mom: “Yes hon.”
Mackenzie: “Like, REALLY real?  Like not like Frozen?  Not like Bolt and not like Tangled and not like Voltron?  Like REAL?”
Mom: “Yes hon, they’re actually real and we’re going to meet them.”
Mackenzie: “Oh, goodness.  This will be AMAZING.”

And that it was.   Though we didn’t get to stay for their whole set (kids lasted through about a 45 mins of music before tuckering out) we got to see them play, and got to meet our old Swing instructor – Gottaswing heavy Tom Koerner (who you can see dancing with my wife here – about 13 years ago).

And my daughter and I even got some dancing in!

And for some more flavor of what the night was like, Youtube user gleng9111 captured this video of the Jive Aces playing while folks danced their hearts out: