Lindy Hop and live music lit up Cottonwood Square at Dancing Under the Stars

On Friday, July 19 dancers of all skill levels gathered at Dancing Under the Stars to learn how to Lindy Hop under the tutelage of Lorne Fultonberg from Boulder Swing Dance.

Fultonberg focused on Lindy Hop, a swing-style dance that originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1920s and '30s. It developed in response to the Black jazz music of the Swing Era.

Around 150 people squeezed onto the makeshift dance floor in Cottonwood Square and were introduced to the art form. Toward the end of the dance lesson, a Colorado summer thunderstorm threatened to blow everyone away, but instead, it cooled off the night and didn't deter any attendees as the crowd only grew throughout the night.

Before transitioning to the social dance part of the evening, Catherine McHale and Tom Masterson, the event organizers, took the floor for some announcements. They encouraged patrons to follow them on Instagram, and to also consider adding to the tip jar. Part of the tips allow them to invite different instructors and provide live music for the evening.

For the second time this season, Dancing Under the Stars featured live music. Jeremy Mohney and His Band complimented the swing dancers with their swing tunes. The sound of a saxophone, a bass, and an acoustic guitar added charm to the evening.

While a third night of live music is scheduled for the two-step country evening on Sept. 6, the possibility of more live music is not out of the question.

On Friday, July 26, Dancing Under the Stars will feature its second salsa dance evening from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in front of The Little Shop and WiNot Coffee Company. Joseph Snowhawk will be back as the instructor and DJ for the evening.

The event is funded by the Niwot LID, and sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, and Cottonwood Square, as well as local business sponsors Porchfront Homes, DRF Real Estate, Big Orange Square, Raza Fresa, Una Vida, and the Niwot Tavern.