Swing Dancing at Cardiff Elks Club

by Rich Bray

As the saying goes, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”. Those of us who know about the Cardiff Elks Club on Friday nights would agree. On the first Friday in February, the band was a wonderful combo named Alias (aka Calico Ridge). Their playlist is filled with danceable cover songs and original work written by Charly, the band’s leader. The dancers are old timers, new timers and in between timers who come from as far away as Alpine so they can find that swing thing with their own feet.

Each week the bands change, a revolving door that Sue Palmer, Michelle Lundeen, Mercedes Moore, and bands such as the Brokers and The Rhythm Kings eagerly walk through. As the band sets up for the night the dance floor fills with couples practicing moves to the pre-dance sound system. The bar is handled by two club members who serve both the dancers and a happy hour crowd watching sports on large screen TVs. Often, a buffet dinner is offered, but not tonight. That’s alright, ‘cuz who needs food when there is dancin’ to be had.

The dancing at the Elks is more than swing. You’ll see other styles like one step, two-step, jitterbug, cowboy cha cha, single dancing rock n rollers, groups of ladies, throw in a waltz or two, a night club two step and even a tango. We dancers spend the night playing and laughing while the band plays its high energy music.

And it’s there every Friday night providing live music, swing dancing, happy hour drinks and old friends and new. A great place to meet and prove once again, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.

Cardiff Elks Club:
1393 Windsor Dr., phone 760-752-2243
Friday Night Tickets:
$5 (members and their guests), $10 (everyone else)