Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

"Are you sure this is it?" Pam asked from the back seat, her voice laced with skepticism my wife, Denise, and I had come to expect from past visits with friends. I glanced in the rearview mirror, a smile playing on my lips. "Positive," I said. "This is it." The car crunched to a stop in the gravel lot. Before us stood a plain, concrete block building that looked more like a forgotten warehouse than the destination I’d promised. The last light of Saturday was fading, and the building offered no clues to the life inside. I saw Susan shoot Pam a look that clearly communicated, What has he gotten us into? Inside the Modern Woodmen Dance Hall in Crewe, VA "Alright," I laughed, glancing over at Denise in the passenger seat before turning off the engine. "I know what you're thinking. But the rule of this place is simple: you can't judge it from the outside. Just trust us." We grabbed our cooler and the bag of snacks we’d packed. The fr...

Ever feel like your brain is just mush after a long week? What if we told you the cure might be as simple as hitting the dance floor? Forget complicated science for a second and let's get real: dancing is one of the most fun ways to give your brain a serious upgrade. Turns out, a huge study called the U.S. POINTER trial found that a little bit of everything—moving your body, eating well, staying social, and challenging your mind—can make your brain sharper as you get older. The best part? Dancing hits all four of those things at once! It's like your favorite hobby is secretly a ninja workout for your mind. Why Dancing is Your Brain's Best Friend You're getting your cardio on. Dancing is a low-key way to get your heart pumping and send some fresh, oxygen-rich blood up to your brain. It's exercise, but with way better music. It's mental gymnastics. Learning new moves, remembering a routine, and trying not to trip over your own feet is a legit mental challenge. ...

  Have you ever had a dance where everything just clicked ? The music seemed to move through you, your partner's intentions were crystal clear, and your feet just knew what to do without a moment's thought. Time seemed to melt away, and you weren't thinking about the next step or how you looked, but simply being the dance. If you've felt that, you've touched upon what psychologists call the Flow State , a concept pioneered by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. My wife and I often experience this, and it's exhilarating. What's even more fascinating is when people watching Denise and I dance, they describe that exact feeling – a seamless connection, an effortless joy – they're describing us in flow. But what exactly is this 'flow,' and how does it manifest itself on the social dance floor? What is the Flow State? The Psychology of Optimal Experience Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a renowned psychologist, dedicated his life to understanding what makes people trul...

Do you love music and want to learn some fun new moves? Get ready to groove! Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective ( www.swingandshagdancecollective.com ), in partnership with the War Memorial Cultural Arts & Community Center, a valued hub for arts and community engagement in Powhatan , is thrilled to announce FREE beginner Swing dance classes starting on Monday, September 22nd, 2025! Whether you have two left feet or are looking for a fun way to get active, this welcoming and energetic 6-week series is the perfect place to learn the foundational steps of lively Swing dancing. The Carolina Shag, a smooth and stylish dance popular in the Carolinas, is actually a derivative of Swing. This beginner Swing class is a fantastic first step on a journey to mastering either (or both!) of these classic American dance styles. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors, Roger & Denise Underhill, are dedicated to creating a fun and supportive learning environment for everyone....

Have you ever heard a song that just feels like it’s been simmering on a back porch on a hot summer night? A sound that’s equal parts heartache and joy, grit and groove? If so, you’ve likely stumbled upon the rich and resonant world of Southern Soul music . More than just a genre, Southern Soul is a cultural touchstone, a musical tapestry woven from the threads of gospel, blues, and early rhythm and blues, all seasoned with the unique flavor of the American South. It’s a sound that speaks directly to the soul, and its legacy continues to thrive today. The Genesis: Where Did This Feeling Come From? Born in the turbulent 1960s, against the backdrop of civil rights struggles and profound social change, Southern Soul wasn't created in a vacuum. It was a potent musical alchemy: The Gospel Fire: The fervent call-and-response vocals, the emotional intensity, and the soulful cries of the Hammond organ owe a deep debt to the Black church. Many Southern Soul pioneers honed their voices in ...