Our favorite things: Swingin' at House of Tea (with video)

Dancers pulsing in time to a funky, soulful beat, pots of tea brewing around the room — there's nothing like Saturday night swing dancing at House of Tea. The event is named "Demitasse" after a small cup, and set in a cozy cafe-style tea house in Montrose. It’s a warm atmosphere accentuated by friendly dancers. Snubbing a fellow dancer is a social faux pas. When someone asks you to dance there are no other expectations. Unlike other dance scenes, you don't have to worry about harassment or sharpening your "let him down lightly" skills. They're there to dance, you're there to dance, nothing more.

Demitasse sets itself apart with musical variety. One moment it's a classic swing number, the next, the Bee Gees or Rihanna. The key is finding a partner who loves the genre as much as you do. When you're both in sync and feeling the song, what can I say? It’s magic on the dance floor.

Of course there are times when you're not in sync, you don't feel the music and you get hit in the head mid spin (I'm on the taller side). But dancers are very forgiving, and that’s part of the beauty of the scene. You can dance your best or worst and everyone still accepts you. In a stressful world, it’s nice to have a place where you can be yourself and just have fun.

Here's some of the dancing at House of Tea. I'm dancing with Richard Monroe in the second clip.

• House of Tea, Swing Dancing, Te
• Chris Foster, Rachel Hanley, Richard Monroe

Té House of Tea

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