DIG THIS: WEST COAST SWING DANCE @ FIRE + ICE CAMBRIDGE

Sexy is probably not the word that comes to mind when someone says they’re going swing dancing. Well, your mind is about to be blown. This isn’t your Grandma’s swing dance. Every Wednesday night at Fire + Ice in Cambridge, anywhere from 50 to 100 people get together, and most of them are 20-somethings.

Photos by Amy Hammond

They make up one of the biggest groups of swing dancers in New England, called The Dancing Fools.

It’s not quite what you expect when a bunch of college kids say they’re going out dancing.

The group offers beginner, intermediate, and the occasional advanced class. And since everyone in participation remembers their days as an awkward beginner dancer, they’re all super understanding of your two left feet. You’ll see professionals dancing with people who just learned their first steps that night. And when two pros get together … now that’s a sight to see.

Fun fact for you: Benji Schwimmer, winner of So You Think You Can Dance: Season Two, dances West Coast Swing. He even participated in this year’s Swinging New England Invitational Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing competitions. And he won both. And to boot, it’s easier to learn than it looks.

Now, prepare to be impressed:

Photos by Amy Hammond

Alright, time to drop some swing knowledge on you:

All of West Coast Swing is improvised. Those dancers are making that up as they go.

That second video is the newcomer category. And to up the impressive factor, those are both Jack and Jill events. That means the partners are randomly selected. Yeah. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will. Come dance on Wednesdays with The Dancing Fools.

It’s sexy, it’s sweaty, and there’s a bar. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people.

[Every Wednesday. 50 Church St, Cambridge. 8pm/all ages/$5-$10. @Cambridge_FiCE. thedancingfools.com]