The Grand Avenue Big Band will give Ames dancers something to swing about this weekend. Traveling from Chicago to play high-energy swing music, the Grand Avenue Big Band will perform Saturday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Organized by the ISU Ballroom Dance Club, “Grand Ave. Swing” is becoming a tradition.

“Last year we had almost 400 people come out to dance to them,” said Tyson Hoffmann, president of the ISU Ballroom Dance Club.

Consisting of 18 members, including three singers, the band will play mostly fox trot tunes and fast swing melodies.

The Grand Avenue Big Band has all the elements of a stellar swing band, with a strong sound that appeals to anxious swingers. The band plays everything from traditional swing to tango beats.

“It will be really fun to have an actual band playing, instead of requests off of a CD,” Hoffmann said.

In preparation for the performance, the club is offering a variety of lessons in partner dancing Saturday so that inexperienced dancers can brush up on their skills and get in one last lesson before the big party.

The seminar will be conducted by Minneapolis instructor Freddie Marsh-Lott.

“Freddie Marsh-Lott came to us highly recommended,” Hoffmann said. “He has a lot of experience teaching.”

A beginner to intermediate swing session will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. and an advanced swing class will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. A beginning bolero class is available from 2 p.m. until 3:20 p.m. and intermediate tango lessons go from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Each workshop costs $5 a person.

Dancers are encouraged to dress in traditional “swing wear,” and everything from zoot suits to flapper dresses are acceptable. Nice casual dress is required and jeans are not allowed.

“Last year a group of theater students dressed up in really tacky ’70s outfits,” Hoffmann said. “We would love to see everyone back this year. It is going to be a lot of fun.”