Jazz music floating softly though out the room, filling your ears with drums and saxophones. People all over the room, tapping their feet, sipping coffee. Others on the dance floor, spinning, jumping, leaping and dancing around. Guys flipping girls over their shoulders and tossing them in the air. This classy scene can be found at Prairie Wind Coffee in downtown Albert Lea.

Patrick Hanson, a Prairie Winds employee, started hosting “A.L. Swing” about three months ago. These swing dances occur on Saturday nights about once or twice a month. Hanson said he wants to create a comfortable atmosphere, relaxing place for everyone to make new friends, have a great time and, of course, dance. Hanson started these swing dances because of the distance from other swing places. He also wanted to get people involved in something he loved doing and bring more activities to Albert Lea.

“Swing dancing is a way to express yourself both socially and creatively,” said Daniel Hanson.

Swing dancing is awesome, easy to learn and fun to develop your dancing skills more.

“I like the interaction with other people. Because it’s a different way to socialize, instead of talking you have to physically work together,” Hanson said.

Patrick and Daniel are both skilled swing dancers and said they would love to see new faces at these events. At the beginning of most swing nights they have a little lesson for beginners to teach them some basic step to get them started for the night.