Dancers Take Little Stock of Troubled Economy

As they excitedly grease their shoes, fill their water bottles, and practice their swivels in anticipation of this week's Friday Night Swing, the Bay area swing dancing community seems unfazed by reports of an ever-weakening economy.

Amid breaking news of the Dow Jones industrial average dropping 136 points, or 1.1 percent, to 12,330.00, local dancers remain serenely unruffled. And today's news of Merrill Lynch's historical fourth-quarter loss of $9.8 billion didn't even make it onto their radar.

"Stocks are slumping, but that doesn't mean I have to slump," said a source close to the organizers of Friday Night Swing.

"Going to Friday Night Swing is a terrific investment in your health and well being," according to Dr. Dan Salott, a local physician and avid lindy hopper. "Besides, it's $14 for the whole shebang, and only $8 for the party alone. You can't beat that -- even during a recession."