It could have been 1936 at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City. A bunch of people, young and old, jive bopping and jitterbugging across a polished wood floor to tunes as old and familiar as your own grandma.

But this is the '90s version of a long-standing tradition. Welcome to the world of the Five Spot, one of Philadelphia's hottest new swing clubs and one that has converted disheartened club goers into jive-talking, fedora-wearing swing kids.

For Generation Xers, think the early'90s film Swing Kids with Robert Sean Leonard. For the old-timers its more along the lines of Fred Astaire's Swing Time.

Instructor Dante Murphy, an Internet developer by day, grabs an unsuspecting student and signals the DJ to strike up a be-bopping ditty before sending her into a fancy step resembling the Charleston. The music stops and a self-conscious giggle moves through the electric class of about 30. It's time to cut a run.

According to Joe Wood, a 33-year-old computer hardware specialist who is the owner of DJ group called Hellzapoppin' Swing Productions, it is only fitting that the music that essentially opened the century is ending it.

Swing, which can be traced back to a 1926 recording by Fletcher Henderson, was popularized in 1934 by "Swing King"  Benny Goodman when he blasted on the scene with hotter version of symphonic jazz relying heavily on rhythm sections and unison melodic lines. The result filled a void, blew away soft romantic tunes, and inspired people to grab a partner and jitter till sunup.

The Five Spot is cuddling up to that tradition that has made a successful comeback three years ago.

Wood, who learned to swing a year ago at the Five Spot, said that the crowds at the club have increased dramatically in that short space of time. Now the weekends are often standing room only in the two-story club (the downstairs is for the true hep cats and kittens while upstairs some of the city's hottest bands entertain the less daring.)

"The Five Spot is truly the home of swing," Wood said noting that his group of about 50 are consistently dressed to the nines for weekends on the town.

"What's cool about it is that it's got real style," he said taking a break from the fray and settling in a private booth in back while a lounge singer's sultry tunes help create atmosphere. "I think our generation is more civilized than our parents in the Sixties. That's why cocktail culture is back."

"People can't get bored with something they enjoy. The New York Times says swing has about six years, but it's been going on for 60. I think Philly is ready to explode," he continued noting that Phil Collin's next album, released this week is a swing mix.

For Sharon Choi, an Abington resident and one of the club's more professional regulars, the city has already exploded. A reluctant beginner last April (her roommate dragged her kicking and screaming to the Five Spot) she now swings at least three times a week and even more so now that she's a private instructor.

"I was sick and tired of being grabbed all the time and this was completely different. It's completely appropriate for a guy and girl to dance together because here it's a gentleman asking a lady," the 27-year-old chemist said laughing as she took the first break after five songs.

But the city is not the only place to get your feet hopping these days, thanks to a group of Villanova graduates and swing enthusiasts who ahve brought the craze a little closer to home.

The first meeting of Main Line Swing was actually held in the old-fashioned confines of the Saturday Club. But due to size and popularity (college kids from as far as the Lehigh Valley showed up in droves complete with wing-tip shoes and Mary Janes) the venue was changed to Washington Memorial Hall in Conshohocken ever other Thursday beginning Oct. 8.

But the music is still the dame, says 23-year-old co-founder Jennifer Peluso who spent most of her summer jumping and wailing at WPEN's Sing Under the Stars on Penn's Landing.

"What has happened among our age group is that people were getting sick of the bar scene and needed something of their own that was different from other generations," she said, toe-tapping in the basement of the Saturday Club for the grand opening two Thursdays ago.

Hence, swing which resembles the dance of old but with more than 40 different updated versions. The most common in these parts is the College Swing, a funkier version of the East Coast Swing with more rhythm and spunk, says instructor Rick Coben. These kids ain't joking.

"This is a whole lot classier than the average bar scene and the people who gravitate towards it seem to be young professionals, medical students and even doctors," Peluso said.

"There is something thoroughly fun about it yet wholesome at the same time," chimed in co-founder and dorm mate Megan Opdyke about the music. "There is an atmosphere of respect between men and women. I think too it's the form of the dance that makes it so appealing because so many thinks in our generation have no form."

The mastermind behind the club is Veronica Freeman, a Villanova graduate student in social work and self-professed swing addict who, as instructor Rich Coben often notes, never took a swing dance class in her life. Her proficiency comes natural.

"I'm not surprised she's a natural," commented country line dancing mom Sandy who was on hand to help out and take a lesson or two.

"I learned from just watching the movie Swing Kids," she said modestly. "This has always bee something I've wanted to learn how to do."

She sprung the idea for the club on the other two after a night of dancing at the Five Spot and ended up at the Saturday Club for the big opening a mere three weeks later.

"I don't think this is going to fall out too quickly at least I hope not," said Freeman, whose big dreams include one day opening up a permanent home for Main Line Swing.

Some veterans from Eastern's Toe Tapping Highsteppin' Eastcoast Lindyhoppin' Swing Club at Eastern College in Radnor hope the trend stays around until the end of the century, at least.

"This is a simple thing to do, easy to learn and is just clean fun," said vice president Seb Milazzo.

But enough of this jive talking. Pull on those zoot suits and snoods, grab at partner and show off some smokin' moves.

Swing Tips

This obviously isn't for those in the know. It's for those of us who want to appear hep but aren't even hip to the latest '40s fashion craze. A few words of advice.

Etiquette

Asking a hep cat or kitten to dance doesn't require the strategic maneuver needed in the average club. It's simple. To ask just hold your dancing hand out (left for men, right for women) palm up for the person of your choice to accept. For the ladies who did the '90s thing and asked, place your hand over his after he accepts but allow him to lead you onto the dance floor in his manner because you are allowed to choose the dancing spot.

And  don't feel self-conscious; swing crowds are unbelievably friendly.

Dress Code

Forties is the thing. That means fedoras, seamed silk stockings (check for straightness of course) or white ankle socks, two-toned spectator shoes (these days the color doesn't matter so mix and match at your fancy). A popular swing brand is Stacy Adams. If nothing else, the most important is rubber shoes, notes Sharon Choi, swing instructor.

For men, swing DJ Joe Wood suggests rummaging through any vintage shop. The threads are not hard to find because suites have not changed much, he said, just the lapels. Suspenders, however, have. Go with the more vintage variety that's a little more classy looking or go for braces.

For women the job takes a little more time and effort. Choi suggests the city's finer vintage shops for '40s day dresses or evening wear with fringes, taffeta and unusual designs. Check the sale racks. And for those skirt-flying moves, swingers suggest a pair of vintage bloomers or tap pants. If you don't have time of luck, try sites such as Bell Epoque Vintage Shop which is a little pricey but will mail-order. Also get listings at www.Pennsylvania65000.com.

Lingo

Once you're hip switch to the 40s phrase "hep." Coined by Cab Calloway in the late 1930s, a "hepcat" was a guy who knew all the answers and understood jive. So what if the phrase died in the '40s, it's back again.

This article originally was published in A&L Magazine, Main Line Life's Guide to Arts & Leisure on October 8, 1998. Photos by Pete Bannan.