Murder mystery swing dances its way to USF
Murder and swing dance aren’t usually strung together in the same thought, but on Friday, the Swinging Bulls will host the 221B Baker Street Murder Mystery Swing Dance.
Set in the crime-ridden streets of 17th century London, the dance craze of the 1920s will feature a murder fit for the notorious detective himself, Sherlock Holmes.
A prominent, professional dancer will be murdered and the killer will be among guests at the party. Throughout the night, the audience will be given clues to help decide which of seven suspects did it, eventually leading up to the exposure of the killer.
Holmes and Dr. Watson will also be in attendance to uncover clues, help the audience and ultimately catch the murderer. The acting group, Random Acts of Happenstance, will be provide actors for the event.
“I’ve been thinking of things to mix into swing dancing so it’s a little bit different,” Jeila Alai, president of Swinging Bulls, said. “Maybe people would be more comfortable coming in cause they don’t need to know how to dance to participate necessarily. So I decided that might be a good mixing of two things.”
The Swinging Bulls hosts five events a semester, one during Week of Welcome and one a month. The group also holds lessons that are open to everyone Thursday in the Argos Fitness Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Because the lessons are progressive it is recommended that new comers start at the beginning of the semester.
The group puts on many themed events such as its speakeasy dance or the very popular Dr. Who-lloween, which Alai said is lined up to appear again next fall. Next month the Swinging Bulls will be hosting one of Gatsby’s legendary parties during a Great Gatsby themed dance.
“I’m really excited for it,” Jennifer Lai, a member of Swinging Bulls, said. “Even if you don’t know how to swing dance, or if you just want to come watch and socialize with people it’s still
going to be pretty good.”
The event is free and will be held in the Marshall Student
Center in room 2708 from 7 to 11 p.m. and is not limited to club members or those who know how to dance. The group will give
lessons from 7 to 8 p.m. to show beginners the basics and get
everyone dancing.
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