‘A sturdy floor’: New dance studio getting into the swing of things in Palmer

PALMER — There’s a new dance group holding classes and social events in downtown Palmer. Ivan Keene said his group, AK East Coast Swing, has picked up momentum over the last few months and they’re gearing up to start a new dance series this weekend.

“It’s building a small community.. I really love the community we are making,” Keene said.

Keene said that he started offering classes through AK East Coast Swing several months ago. He said that he created the group after another dance group he was involved with called Anchorage Swing Dancers shut down as a result of COVID-19.

“When COVID hit they completely collapsed. I love dancing, and I’m of the same mindset as them, that dancing should be free. So, our goal is not to charge. Sometimes we have to,” Keene said.

Keene eventually met Alisha Eaker who found the studio space in Palmer. He said that sought space in the Valley so they wouldn’t have to worry about violating any of Anchorage’s COVID-19 mandates.

“We just made it work,” Keene said. “To be honest, it’s a lot more lenient out here.”

Keene said that he aims to keep this group going, hoping to establish a more permanent location and group foundation. He said that he isn’t sure at this point how that may work out with so many variables stemming from the pandemic.

“I want a sturdy floor and group that’s gonna last,” Keene said. “I would like to make a long term location... We just don’t know... I definitely hope to keep this group going.”

According to Keene, establishing a presence and getting the word out about the new dance group was difficult at first, but that’s been picking up with outreach efforts like posting videos of him and Eaker dancing with East Coast and West Coast Swing moves.

“We’re definitely making tracking now,” Keene said.

Keene and Eaker are gearing up to start a West Coast Swing dance series with lessons over the first three Sundays of February starting this weekend. Keene said that classes run from from 5 to 6 p.m. but there’s usually socials afterward. He said they’re planning to hold a special potluck social after the dance lessons on Valentine’s Day.

Keene said they’re going to charge $5 per week or $10 upfront for the full three week series. He said they normally try to keep their classes free to encourage as many people to try it out as possible, but they need to collect fees from this series to provide donations to the community center they’re operating out of.

Keene said that a number of new dance students have become recurring members. He said that a growing trend is people bringing instruments to play live music and hang out after their classes, which is very encouraging to his cause.

“We’re kind of forming our group culture,” Keene said.

Keene encourages anyone interested in learning about East and West Coast swing dancing to stop by for a lesson. He said they welcome both novice and experienced dancers to enjoy their laid back and fun atmosphere.

“If you haven’t danced before we’ll teach you the basics… We’re a pretty friendly and welcoming group. Anybody’s welcome really,” Keene said. “Dancing is a beautiful thing. It’s not only a way to work out without realizing that you’re getting in a lot of good cardio. It’s a good way to socialize and meet new people. You build a community and have a lot of fun. Most people who start dancing who really give it a shot, even if they’re like, ‘oh I’ve got two left feet and I don’t dance,’ once they start, they get hooked. It’s addicting.”

The AK East Coast Swing studio is located at 439 West Elmwood Avenue in downtown Palmer. For more information, call 907-717-5746 or visit their Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com