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Evening of Dancing and Delectables to raise money for Summit High School music department

Merle and Thekla Schultz show off their swing dance moves. The two will be found at the swing dance fundraiser Feb. 6 at the Silverthorne Pavilion.
Jessica Smith / jsmith@summitdaily.com |

Evening of Dancing and Delectables

Date: Feb. 6

Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. for silent auction, dancing from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Location: Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne

Cost: $5 students, $10 adults, $25 family

For more information, contact Thekla Schultz at (970) 468-4876 or theklamoose@comcast.net

Next Thursday, Feb. 6, the toe-tapping sounds of swing music will fill the Silverthorne Pavilion, courtesy of the Summit High School Jazz Band and the Swing Crew. Dance lovers of all ages are invited to join in a night of dance, desserts from local sweet spots and a silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting the Summit High School music department.

This is the second year for the event, organized by Thekla Schultz, who teaches swing lessons at the high school with her husband, Merle. Last year they brought in nearly $3,500.

“All the proceeds that we take in at the door and the silent auction goes directly toward the music department,” Schultz said, “for instruments for students who can’t afford them, sheet music which is very expensive, private lessons for the most advanced students who can’t afford it — so it all goes to the kids, which is cool.”



The goal for this year is to try to raise $5,000 for the department.

Schultz’s swing lessons started as a club activity last year, and are now an elective class at the high school. Schultz estimated that since this fall she’s had about 50 students total.



“By the end of one quarter they are maxing us out on some of our fancier stuff,” she said of the speed at which her students learn. “So they will put on a really good show.”

Summit High School junior Kelley Minor started swing lessons in January last year, in one of the first lessons taught by Schultz.

“I wanted to learn how to dance and it sounded like fun,” she said. “(It’s) something different than everyone else does.”

She started with the basic steps and has moved on to more advanced moves. She’s currently working on aerials.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said sophomore Zoe Hough. “When it goes right, it’s beautiful to watch and exhilarating to be a part of.”

This summer, she taught her new skills to her uncle for his wedding day.

Even those who don’t know how to swing dance will have a great time, Schultz said. If they want to learn, this is the place to do it.

“Any of the high school students who dance would be glad to show them,” she said. Lack of a dance partner won’t be a problem, thanks to the hosts, who will have “Dance With Me” signs and be available to anyone.

“The other thing is it’s not just swing music,” said Schultz. “We try to put a variety, a mix in there. There will be a tango and some salsa, a waltz and things like that.”

The “delectable” part of the evening will feature desserts from Arapahoe Café, Dining Refined and Café Profusion.

The evening will start out with a silent auction at 6 p.m., featuring items that have been donated from the community, including snowmobile tours from Fun For You, passes from A-Basin, the Frisco Adventure Center and the Silverthorne rec center.

Schultz said she’s also still looking for volunteers, for cutting up desserts, setting up tables and decorating. Last year, about 30 people volunteered their time for the event.

“It takes a lot of volunteer effort and the community has been really good about that too, especially the dance community,” said Schultz.


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