Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

As a Recreation Specialist, Dance Instructor and a long time advocate for the Kinetic Connection of partner dancing, I am gravely concerned. A quiet shift is happening in Carolina Shag and other vernacular dance clubs and partner dance venues,  across the Southeast and beyond, and if we don't look at it critically, we may be watching the "slow death" of a beloved dance in favor of something far less connected. The Rise of the Solo-in-a-Group We’ve all seen it: the lights dim, the Beach Music or Rhythm & Blues stops, and a high-energy pop or country track comes on. The floor—once a series of linear "slots" where couples held a non-verbal conversation—suddenly transforms into a stationary "grid" of individuals performing synchronized choreography. Line dancing is fun, accessible, and requires no partner. But when it begins to move from a "supplement" to a "substitute," the very quality of our instructional opportunities and socia...

Have you ever stood on the edge of a dance floor, watching couples spin effortlessly, and thought to yourself, “I am just not that kind of person” ? If so, you aren't alone. You are suffering from a cultural symptom that Dr. Peter Lovatt—a psychologist and passionate advocate known as "Dr. Dance"—has spent years trying to heal. Recently, we came across a quote, in a BBC piece "Why Dance Is Key To Our Humanity" , by Dr. Peter Lovatt, author of The Dance Cure , that perfectly articulates the battle we are fighting here at Underhill’s Swing and Shag Collective. He says: “A large portion of society thinks that they are not the right type of person to dance. Because we take something that’s really fundamental and natural and expressive in movement, and then we codify it. We make it very strict, We judge people for it. People feel self-conscious when they do it, and then people stop doing it.” At Underhill’s Swing and Shag Collective, we consider Dr. Lovatt a partner ...

Have you ever felt like the last decade flew by in a blur? You’re not alone. As adult life settles into a routine, our subjective experience of time tends to accelerate. We crave novelty, a deeper presence in our own lives, and a more meaningful way to connect with the world and the people around us. What if there was an activity that could not only get you moving but also enrich your mind, body, and spirit in ways you never expected? At Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective, we believe partner dancing is a powerful, scientifically-backed solution. This article reveals five surprising promises we make to every new dancer who joins our community—promises that go far beyond simple exercise to offer a profound enhancement to your life. 1. We Promise to Slow Down Time It’s a counter-intuitive fact: as our lives become more routine, our brains form fewer unique memories. This "thins out" our memory load, making the years feel shorter in retrospect. The most effective way...

Have you ever felt like the last decade flew by in a blur? You’re not alone. As routine gradually displaces novelty in our adult lives, our subjective experience of time tends to accelerate. The years feel shorter because we stop collecting new, unique memories, essentially thinning out our memory load in retrospect. But what if there was an activity proven to flood your brain with novelty, enhance your memory pathways, and force you to be deeply present—making your life feel subjectively richer and longer? That activity is partner dancing. When approached as continuous learning, dance is a powerful cognitive intervention that acts as a profound "anti-aging secret" for your brain and your perception of time. Here is the science of how dancing makes life seem to pass slower: Stopping the Clock: The Power of Mindful Movement The single biggest reason life speeds up is the loss of presence. As skills become automatic—like driving a familiar route or typing on a keyboard—our brai...

"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. ...