Dancing Under the Stars closes with a swinging finale

For the final time this year, Niwot's Cottonwood Square was transformed into a scene from the 1950s as the 2024 season of Dancing Under the Stars came to a close. Swing enthusiasts, newcomers, and long-time attendees gathered under twinkling lights for a night of Lindy Hop and laughter. The event, which has been a staple in Niwot all summer, delivered one last memorable evening on Friday, Sept. 20 as attendees danced the night away.

Lorne Fultonberg, from Boulder Swing Dance, led the Lindy Hop lesson, introducing the crowd to both foundational steps and more advanced moves for those looking to add to their repertoire. As he called out instructions and encouraged participants to loosen up and enjoy the rhythm, his words captured the lighthearted nature of the evening: "And if your footwork wasn't exactly matched up, no one was hurt."

Among the crowd was Sarah Salisch, a long-time attendee of Dancing Under the Stars, who summed up the evening perfectly. "This is my happy place," she said. "Dancing outside to really good music, watching people be so happy, there's just nothing like it."

Salisch, who has been coming to the event since its early days in Boulder, shared how the event makes her feel young again, adding, "Everyone dances with everybody, all skill levels. I'm so grateful." Her words echoed the sentiment of many who have found a sense of community and joy through outdoor dancing.

Even on the final night of the season, there were still newcomers in the crowd. This year's series saw impressive attendance, with many first-timers discovering the joy of dancing outside in Niwot.

Reflecting on the season, Catherine McHale, one of the event's organizers, expressed her gratitude for another successful year, noting that this season saw strong numbers, with 150 people or more attending most classes and up to 200 people at the social dances. One of the highlights of the 2024 season was the addition of a country dance night, which McHale said was well-received and hinted the signs are good it will be back next year.

Tom Masterson, another event organizer, was thrilled with the turnout this year. He shared his hopes for future seasons, saying, "We're always happy when we can offer live music, and we hope to do more of that."

As the 2024 season wrapped up, both McHale and Masterson expressed their gratitude to the community, the event's sponsors, and the participants. Masterson spoke to the dancers, saying, "Thank you for coming to Niwot and for your wonderful dancing. Without you, none of this would be possible." McHale added that she hopes attendees will keep dancing through the cooler months and return next June for another season of fun under the stars.

Looking ahead, the two are hopeful that Dancing Under the Stars will continue to grow, attracting more people from both near and far. As the event remains free and open to all, its appeal lies in its welcoming atmosphere and the sheer joy of dancing outdoors. There is something magical about dancing in the open air, with stars twinkling above and the community around you.

For those itching to keep the rhythm going, Boulder Swing Dance, which instructed all of the swing dance nights this season, offers classes and events at The Avalon Ballroom in Boulder several times a week.

As the final notes of the swing music played and the dancers twirled one more time, it was clear that Dancing Under the Stars has left its mark on the community, until next year, under the stars.