Story & Lesson Highlights with Kenny Nelson of Aurora

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kenny Nelson. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Kenny, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
When I get the chance, I enjoy hanging out at the Shop at MATTER. Depending on what they have happening when I go that could mean browsing books, finding inspiration from their well-versed staff, reading a book, perusing art or listening to a Malcolm X speech on YouTube.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kenny Nelson and I run Swingin’ Denver, a local company focused on teaching Black social dance traditions which emerged during the Harlem Renaissance. We find great joy in our partnerships and collaborations across Metro Denver and beyond where we can showcase swing music and dancing. This has led to long-term relationships with Little Man Ice Cream and newer ones like partnering on a swing dance lesson series with Wellpower, Colorado’s largest mental health aid provider. Just as one connects to a dance partner, to the music, to the community at our parties, we aspire to mirror these connections out into the greater Denver community and beyond.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s difficult to select any one moment as I’m reminded by Barrett Holmes Pitner’s writing when he discusses that “existence isn’t static” or Kaitlin B. Curtice when she talks about that we’re always arriving or a swing music historian when they described swing music as “forward-propelling directionality.” We’re always shifting and changing, unfixed.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Summer of 2019 was a rough time for Swingin’ Denver. Class sizes were dwindling, dance parties weren’t going great in the Santa Fe Arts District, the team we were taking to Camp Hollywood was struggling. So I called it quits after our September session where classes were incredible! I stuck with the decision, though, but it was difficult motivating myself for the next thing, teaching at an event called Inspiration Weekend in Orange County, March 2020. I suspect I was dealing with burnout and depression. Fortunately, I dug myself out with the help of my wife, Jess, and dance partner, Delilah and was on a high after Inspiration Weekend where we were just learning about COVID.

So just when I was contemplating bringing Swingin’ Denver back more fully, we went into lockdown. That was rough but I transformed my energy into studying Black social dances and music via books, online lectures, conversations and papers. As I’ve mentioned, existence isn’t static and we find a way to move forward together.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cornerstone to our guiding philosophy is the concept of being a cultural surrogate or tradition-bearer, as coined by Black dance artist and scholar, LaTasha Barnes. For me, as a white male who is not part of this cultural lineage, this means treating Lindy Hop and other traditional swing-era dances as living dances, acknowledging their Black creators, naming what we teach by the names given by Black tradition-bearers, and being a proponent of Black dance tradition values – social, dance, kinetic. These values are reflected in making African-American rhythms visible on the dance floor, promoting equity on and off the dance floor, and sharing traditional jazz dance and social values. I acknowledge that others might enjoy keeping swing simple, light and fun. However, this approach tends to diminish BIPOC voices and experiences while ignoring the multi-faceted nature of Black dances and the realities Black people face. By holding each other accountable and aspiring to be comfortable with uncomfortable truths, my organization hopes to make the swing community a better and more welcoming place for everyone.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think our community would most miss our live music events and energy we put into producing these events which then lead to more events elsewhere. We pour a lot of time and energy into being present even as I balance work life with being a good dad to two young kiddos. I still think that if even I “retired,” I would still aspire to be a mentor and a connector in order to support this community and its artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://swingindenver.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swinginden/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knco/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/swingindenver/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/swinginstyle/videos

Image Credits
Grant Fukui, Paul Miller, Kari Geha