Social Dance Cultures - Archival Site
The Rugcutters
Auburn, California • 1995–2001
A Social Dance Cultures program created and directed by Debbie Goodwin
The Rugcutters was a teen swing dance group based in Auburn, California. From 1995–2001, young dancers came together to study, rehearse, choreograph, and perform swing dance throughout the region.
The Story
The story of The Rugcutters began in 1995, when several teenagers in Auburn, California, approached Debbie Goodwin wanting to learn swing dancing. Debbie began teaching them, drawing on her own early experience with swing dancing and her studies of the dance and its history.
What began with a small group of young dancers grew into a thriving youth swing program at Music & More Arts Academy in downtown Auburn. Dancers ages 13–19 studied Lindy Hop, jazz, choreography, and the social and cultural traditions of American Swing. Classes expanded to beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, with the more experienced dancers developing into The Rugcutters, a performance team.
The program became much more than dance instruction. The young dancers performed at community events and schools, participated in lecture-demonstrations, and performed with Don Treco's “In the Mood” Living History Big Band. They appeared at halftime with the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena, attended swing workshops and conventions, and traveled to events celebrating the music, dance, and culture of the swing era. Their first performance was at the Towe Auto Museum in 1998, where Debbie choreographed swing routines for the dancers.
The Rugcutters were also featured guests at SWING! at California State University, Sacramento, and performed throughout the Auburn and Sacramento communities. They hosted a monthly all-ages Friday Night Swingout at the historic Auburn Masonic Temple, creating a place where young people and adults could come together to dance.
By 2000, the program had developed a strong emphasis on leadership and mentorship. Rugcutters participated in producing their own performances and dances, created choreography, mentored younger students, and developed organizational and teaching skills. That year, the group won first prize at the Auburn Fairgrounds Talent Show.
The growth of this work led to the creation of Social Dance Cultures in 2000, expanding Debbie's vision beyond the Rugcutters to support the study and advancement of social dance, its history, culture, and related arts.
What began with a handful of teenagers wanting to learn swing became a vibrant community of young dancers, performers, teachers, and leaders—and the beginning of Social Dance Cultures.