The sound of swing music fills the streets of downtown Grand Rapids Rosa Parks Circle where more than a thousand people gather to step, spin, swing and have fun meeting other dance enthusiasts every Tuesday. Whether an experienced dancer or a beginner eager to learn, college students can have a fun, inexpensive night out and pick up a new hobby as well.

Starting in early April and continuing through the end of September, the weekly dances feature a variety of dance and music styles that include traditional east coast swing, west coast swing, aerial swing, salsa, cha-cha, rumba, tango, foxtrot and merengue. During the summer months, the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society hosted special events to accompany the dancing. This year’s events included Christmas in July, a classic car show and live music.

Steve Zaagman, a Grand Rapids native and a graduate of Calvin College, started the club in 2003. Zaagman began dancing after a girl he liked asked him to join something called “Dance Guild.” He grew to enjoy swing dancing enough to start a club that brings in upward of 3,000 participants a week.

“As it turned out I liked dancing more than the girl did and stuck with it and she did not,” Zaagman said. “I dabbled here and there practicing with anyone who knew how and just kept going to as many swing events as possible. I was hooked because this type of dance offered a simple step that a beginner could learn, but it takes a lifetime to master as there are at least 20 different styles of swing.”

After graduating in 2003, Zaagman’s friend asked him to start a club at Reformed Bible College, now known as Kyper College.

“So many people started coming that I outgrew the space at RBC and had to move,” he said. Zaagman then found a location at Monroe Community Church before relocating again after six months due to maximum attendance.

“If you ask me why (attendance continues to grow), I would have to say that there is simply no one else teaching this kind of dance affordably with so much emphasis on the social and fun aspect of the dance,” Zaagman said.

In 2005, Zaagman officially named the club The Grand Rapids Swing Society.

“At this point I needed to formalize my name so someone suggested The Grand Rapids Swing Society,” Zaagman said. “Due to my background in marketing and my sense of humor, I wanted something that would stick in peoples heads, so I said why not Grand Rapids Original Swing Society.”

After once again outgrowing the location, Zaagman moved to Rosa Parks Circle.

“My group over the next few months exploded,” he said. “My average attendance went to 800 plus. In July we had 1,000 to 1,500 people for some nights. Now I host G.R.O.S.S at the Grand Rapids Public Museum for $4 a person, and attendance is around 300 or 400 a night. This year we will also have events at a massive floor at the Woodland Skating Rink on 28th Street.”

Zaagman did not end up marrying the girl who sparked his interest in swing dancing, but it did play a role in his wedding.

“My wife was trying to make 1,000 paper cranes for the reception as a Japanese tradition to get your wish to come true,” Zaagman said. “She made about 200, and I secretly had my swing dancers finish the other 800 one night and during the reception I dumped all 1,000 on her.”

Grand Valley State University student Ariana Smith started attending G.R.O.S.S this past July. Smith said her housemate had to pressure her for almost a year before she started going, but she had so much fun the first time that she was hooked.

“I would definitely recommend it, even for people who don’t dance,” Smith said. “There are a lot of nice people there, and if you are willing to put yourself out there and take a chance, you can learn a lot.”

Swing dancing carries a romantic side for Smith as well, who met her current boyfriend at G.R.O.S.S.

“He’s a great dancer and has taught me pretty much everything I know about swing dancing, which takes a lot more skill and patience than you might think!” she said. “I usually go with him when we both can, but I have also gone with my family and other friends.”

Art Prize starts later this month, and Briee De Graff, an organizer for the event, believes it will have an impact on G.R.O.S.S.

“We expect people strolling through the ArtPrize exhibits to hear the music, see hundreds of people dancing and stop by to watch or participate,” De Graff said.

She also mentioned “Felt Under Foot,” which will take place on Sept. 28.

“If I understand it correctly, an artist will lay down felting material over (Rosa Parks Circle) before swing starts,” De Graff said. “As people dance, their feet will felt the material. The artist will end up with a very large piece of felt that will be used in their ArtPrize submission.”

Zaagman continues to attend swing dancing every week as the DJ and instructor at the beginning of the show. He is now on the boards of both the Downtown Alliance and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

G.R.O.S.S was also a 2010 finalists for the WOOD TV Connecting with Community Award. They currently ask for a $4 donation when attending an event. More information about the group and their upcoming events can be found at its website, http://www.grandrapidsoriginalswingsociety.com/, or its Facebook group, “Grand Rapids Original Swing Society.”

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