By Beth Kalisiak

A & E Co-Editor

"Swing means to build up momentum as you progress," said Jane Schomas who teaches salsa and line dancing with her husband Rod at IVCC on Tuesday nights.

The couple travel all over the state looking for places to dance. There are no swing places in this area so the Schomas' decided to host a local swing night with WCMY on Oct 27, at Celebrations 150, on Rt. 6 east of LaSalle, featuring the Rhythm Rockets, one of the hottest swing bands in Chicago, to benefit the local United Way campaign.

Jane said, "Swing is important to us in that it provides an outlet - something we can do as a couple and also as a family. Last year when IVCC had their big band night at the Hotel Kaskaskia there were so many people that you couldn't move! We had hoped the local clubs would take a cue from that and try a swing night."

The Schomas have been dancing for nine years and teaching for eight.

"We both always have liked to dance," said Jane. "Back in '92 I saw an ad for a line dance class starting in Ottawa. Country music was really hitting at that time, and I thought the class would be fun. Rod really wasn't interested in line dance; he wanted to learn couples dance. But we found the class was offering both and joined. We had no idea what it would lead to!"

In addition to teaching at IVCC, the Schomas provide workshops throughout the Midwest. During the summer, they were in Ottawa giving free lessons in Allen Park.

"We dance anywhere there is a dance floor, or concrete, or blacktop," Jane said. "If there's music and a little room, we'll dance."

Husband Rod said, "She loves dancing; it's just her thing. It (swing) goes with so many different kinds of music - big band, oldies, country; Stevie Kay

Vaugh ‘If the House is Rockin' to Glenn Miller 'In the Mood.' The beat is there; it works; it's the music."

Rod said some people are afraid to dance because they don’t want to be humiliated. Jane quickly added that it doesn’t take many lessons for a beginner to be presentable on any dance floor.

"There are always people who know more than us," Jane said. "But there are also people that know less and will ask us about a turn or a move or just general advice.

"It doesn't matter what your profession or persuasion is when you're on the dance floor. You're just there for the fun!"