Seattle’s Easter Swing (SES), now known solely as Easter Swing, its origins trace back to 1990, when the Seattle Swing Dance Club (SSDC) hesitantly agreed to host a national convention. Before that, Seattle’s West Coast swing scene was small, with SSDC members traveling to California for dance fixes. When Robert Bryant of USSDC invited SSDC to host the 1990 national event, the club—despite never organizing anything bigger than a picnic—decided to go for it.

The First Leap: Seattle’s Silver Swing (1990)

Held at the Westin Hotel, Seattle’s Silver Swing (SSS) celebrated SSDC’s 25th anniversary with over 600 attendees. Volunteers rallied, baking cookies (smuggled into the hospitality room), organizing contests, and even producing a full-scale swing dance play. The event’s success put Seattle on the national swing map, sparking the idea for a local, annual event.

The Birth of SES (1993)

Wanting to sustain the excitement, SSDC launched Seattle’s Easter Swing (SES) in 1993. The name nearly became Swinging in the Rain, but Seattle’s reputation for rain discouraged it. Organizers, led by Karen and Dean Fisher, had never managed a full convention before but tackled every detail—from booking top instructors to pioneering the Bonus Book (a workshop discount system).

By 1997, SES earned NASDE membership, securing its place among the top swing events.

“Lightless in Seattle” and Other Legendary Moments

SES wasn’t without drama. One year, a storm cut power just before the Invitational. Dancers scrambled for boom boxes and flashlights, while MC Mark Johnston entertained the crowd with progressively less PG-rated jokes. Just as dancers were about to compete in candlelight, the power miraculously returned!

The Legacy of Easter Swing

By 2000, after 12 years of organizing, Karen and Dean stepped down, passing SES leadership to the following passionate individuals.

• Alicia Leo

• Jim Minty

• Trula Shafer

• Pat Garrett

• Andy Vanosdale

• Kevin Wright

• Allen Ulbrecht

• Rose Hawley-Perry

Easter became known not just for its competitions but for its community spirit—from pre-event home parties to Masters’ parties in the Director’s suite, and the highly successful Beginner Bootcamp, with over 450 attendees in 2023.

Innovations like dedicated private lesson spaces, structured workshops, stretch-out & quiet spaces, and thoughtful hospitality touches make SES a dancer-favorite. Oh, and we can’t forget the legendary hand-blown egg trophies

What began as an uncertain experiment became one of the most respected swing dance events in the country. And through it all, the spirit of Easter—friendship, inclusiveness, laughter, and great dancing—has remained its true legacy.

The name has officially been updated to Easter Swing and represents one of the best-known events in the world.

Originally Written By Karen Johnston

Updated by Jil Hendershot, Rose Hawley-Perry, & Aaron Farance 2025