The USU Big Band Swing Club is holding its third annual Elite Hall Benefit Dance Saturday at 7 p.m. at Hyrum’s Elite Hall dance hall.

Elite Hall first opened in 1917, built after the Hyrum Opera House was burned down. During the early 20th century, the hall was filled with dancers every Saturday night.

“Dancers came from Idaho and Utah using the electric trolley system just to dance, then would go home the next morning,” said Natasha Black, the swing club’s Elite Hall coordinator.

Now, Elite Hall, with one of the two remaining spring-loaded dance floors in Utah, is on the National Register of Historic Places. This saves the Hyrum building from being torn down, which was a concern to the community and the club a few years ago, but maintenance costs are threatening the regular use of the hall for its original purpose: a dance hall.

The lessons begin at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by a dance from 8-11:30 p.m., said Erica Black, the swing club’s fundraising chairperson. She said there will be performances throughout the night by USU’s Swingcopation and Swing Set dance teams, as well as one of BYU’s swing dance teams. There will also be competitions among dancers in solo Charleston and Lindy Hop. Music will be provided by the Larry Smith Jazz Combo throughout the rest of the night, Erica said.

Erica Black said the expected turnout is at least 250 attendees. Dancers come from many different locations across the state, including Provo and Salt Lake City. In the past, dancers have even made the trip from Rexburg, Idaho, to show off their talents and compete.

Erica Black said all proceeds will go to Hyrum for maintenance and preservation of the building. The 92-year-old building is important to both the Hyrum and swing communities in Cache Valley. She also said the hall ties to major events in many of Hyrum residents’ lives, through dances and basketball games.

In order to try to keep the hall open and used, the Big Band Swing Club holds dances, including lessons, on the first and third Saturdays of every month.

Elite Hall is located on 83 W. Main, Hyrum, Utah.

Tickets for the event are being sold Friday in the Taggart Student Center outside the USU Bookstore or may be purchased at the door at the event. Advance tickets are $8 per person or $15 per couple. Tickets at the door may be purchased for $10 per person or $18 per couple.

“These benefit dances have made it so that the Elite Hall has been able to stay open and vibrant for not only the swing dance community but for the whole community to enjoy,” Erica Black said.

– emily.hoferitza@aggiemail.usu.edu