Video by Sierra LaDuke
Classics such as “Sweet Caroline” and “Fly With Me” blared through the brick wall building on Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street on Thursday night. Those who had the courage to dance away their evening, entered DeSoto Central Market.
DeSoto has been hosting Speakeasy Nights every Thursday since late August. Every third Thursday, a live band performs. Last week, the band consisted of a 14-piece orchestra.
“It’s prohibition style so all of the bartenders dress up and we all get really into character,” said bartender Krystal MacMillan.
MacMillan said attendees have a wide range of skill levels — some who know nothing and others who teach classes.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. Strangers quickly become acquainted around 8 p.m. as hosts MacGyver and Corrinne Mann draw in the crowd to teach a swing dance lesson.
Arizona State University nursing student Larissa Lyman has been swing dancing for over a year and has been to several venues around the Valley including The Duce, Kat’s Corner and Hepcats.
“DeSoto is a very chill place to meet up with friends and dance,” Lyman said. “I love that it is within walking distance from campus.”
MacGyver Mann said he and his wife have danced all over the country but this venue stands out from the rest.
“DeSoto has such a distinct, urban, factory, industrial, good-old fashioned feel to it,” he said.
Mann added, “It’s just a fantastic place to come in, sit, have a drink, enjoy the wonderful music and learn how to dance — something that everyone kind of wants to do.”
Contact the reporter at Sierra.Laduke@asu.edu .
