Meet Lorne Fultonberg | Owner, Boulder Swing Dance

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorne Fultonberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lorne, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in the no-longer-small town of Superior, CO. The more I think about my upbringing, the more my love of swing jazz music and movement makes sense. But it wouldn’t have been possible without family, friends, teachers and mentors who saw something in me—often before I saw it myself. I was lucky to have parents who enjoyed music, valued the performing arts and supported me unconditionally. I was just as fortunate to have a truly top-notch music education at Superior Elementary School. I can still remember many of the lessons that, I now realize, were early exposure to one of my greatest passions. My middle school language arts teacher essentially made me audition for our school’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, and I was forever changed.

In high school, I was a theater kid, and also an old soul who was really not into bumping and grinding to Flo Rida’s “Low” at homecoming and prom. So when I saw a swing dance elective on the program at the Colorado Thespian Convention, I rushed in and took my first steps in what would become a way of life.

A love for Lindy Hop has a funny way of perpetuating. There is such passion for this Black American art form, which you can find in communities all over the world. Others selflessly invest their time and attention to teach you what they know. It’s an honor to take my turn sharing that passion with others who are curious and willing to learn.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Boulder Swing Dance isn’t just a place where you go to learn a few cool moves (although we do that too). Our lessons are about connecting to the music, your partner and the moment. We play high-quality, authentic swing jazz music; we are up front about history and culture; and we live by an old dance mantra that “‘Tain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.” That doesn’t always draw the biggest crowds, but we believe in our values—and we have a strong swath of people who love us for who we are.

I’m just a small part of Boulder Swing’s history. The organization itself has been around for more than 20 years. I actually took some of my first lessons in a small studio in 2009. When the previous owner was ready to begin their next chapter of life, I took the baton. In some senses, that made it really easy. I didn’t have to do any of the paperwork. I was handed social media accounts with active followings, a working website and an established community. At the same time, this isn’t my full-time job, which means the work I do all takes place outside of regular business hours, on top of the 40 hours I put toward my paycheck each week.

I’ve learned a lot of things, but the two most important are:

1. It’s important to build a strong team. I could not do this job without support from people I trust. Allowing yourself to pass some responsibilities to others—whether it’s social media, scheduling teachers and DJs, or working front of house—frees up time for you to take on the things you enjoy most. And it gives you people you can lean on in the tough times, celebrate with in the good, and fall back on if something comes up. Swallow your pride, relinquish some control, and delegate!

2. It’s OK to revisit and change your core beliefs. I started running Boulder Swing with very established views on what Lindy Hop is all about and very strong opinions on how things should be taught. I’ve learned a ton from the teachers, dancers and scene leaders I’ve employed and rubbed elbows with. It’s not always easy to modify your worldview, but I want people to know that it is not a sign of weakness or naivety, but evidence of growth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver is the best when the sun is shining (which luckily happens frequently) and so any visit should include ample amounts of outdoor time. I think the city’s food and drink scene tends to fly under the radar, but I’ve found an amazing array of tasty options. Here’s an itinerary that assumes unlimited energy and bottomless stomachs.

*Friday*
Cheesman Park is one of my favorite places to hang outdoors. It’s so easy to bring a blanket and a snack and relax. I especially love being close to the pavilion near the Denver Botanic Gardens. It’s such a little slice of Denver’s culture. You never know if you’ll find dancers, street performers, skateboarders or all sorts of other people between the pillars. That evening, I would go to The Pearl (formerly the Mercury Café) on the corner of 22nd St. and California Ave. for a snack, a drink and a couple hours of live music. A house band kicks off a jazz jam where local musicians bring their instruments and sit in. As soon as it ends, we’re booking it to Cherry Creek for the late-night, $1 oyster special at Blue Island. I love walking the streets of Cherry Creek North at night. It’s usually quiet and peaceful.

*Saturday*
A trip to Denver should also include time in Boulder. The Pearl Street Mall is one of my favorite places on earth. I could spend all day popping in and out of shops, listening to street musicians, or touching every item at Peppercorn or Into the Wind. It’s nice to spend time along the Boulder Creek Trail too. There are lots of little alcoves to dip your feet in the water and have a snack. Of course, Saturday night is a Boulder Swing Dance night! I’d grab a sandwich at Le Frigo (the Catalán sends me) on the way to the Avalon Ballroom ahead of the 7 p.m. beginner lesson. It’s just $5 and no experience or partner are required! The social dance runs from 8-11 p.m. On my way home, I love stopping at Atomic Cowboy for a late-night slice of pizza and a side caesar salad. Something about that always hits the spot.

*Sunday*
I love taking out-of-towners to the Evergreen and Conifer area because I feel like they’re beautiful but often-overlooked spots for hiking. The Maxwell Falls trail is one of my favorites. I’ve also been known to enjoy a lazy Sunday, so I’d want to take some time to hang around my Athmar Park neighborhood. There are so many peaceful green spaces and an incredible menu of food options. Lunch might be the Szechuan beef in hot chili oil at Happy Café or the Tom Yum lemon soup from J’s Noodle House. On summer nights, there’s no better evening locale than Levitt Pavillion and its lineup of free concerts. If we still have energy, it’s nice to end the night at GK Billiards—a no-frills spot with plenty of tables for pool sharks of all ability levels.

*Monday*
To avoid the weekend rush, I’d save a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park for a Monday. There really aren’t any bad spots there. The hiking is sublime and you don’t need to be a mountaineer to get a breakthtaking view. Estes Park lives up to its stellar reputation too, so I would spend a lot of time popping in and out of shops and grabbing an ice cream cone or two.

*Tuesday*
Denver has so many neighborhoods with so much character, none more distinct than Five Points. It’s a pretty easy place to walk around; seemingly each corner holds a colorful, creative, impressive mural. I’d mix in a stroll with several of the dishes, drinks and desserts that have changed my life: The Park sandwich at Curtis Park Deli, a cup of the basil-blackberry swirl at High Point Creamery and the house gin and tonic at Marigold. And then it’s time for some more dancing! This time at The Pearl. Denver has a lot of opportunities for social dancing, but Tuesdays are *the* night for Lindy Hop. It’s hard not to stay until things wrap up at midnight.

*Wednesday*
You can’t go wrong with Sloan’s Lake. A loop around the lake gives you incredible views of the mountains and the Denver skyline. And Edgewater Public Market is the perfect place to take people when you don’t exactly know what you’re in the mood to eat. I promise you will figure it out when you step into the food hall. The nearby Edgewater Beer Garden is a peaceful place too. But whatever you do, you must get a cup of Hokey Pokey ice cream (vanilla with honeycomb) from Happy Cones.

*Thursday*
I would end the week where it began, in Cherry Creek! I used to live in the neighborhood, so I have a lot of top spots. Olive and Finch has the best lemon bars in town and the best coffee cake I’ve found outside of New York City. Fortune Wok to Table’s simple menu of dumplings, fried rice and street noodles is really all you need. A gyro from Renzio’s (but most importantly the seasoned fries) will change the way you think about a mall food court. And a Detroit-style pie from Blue Pan (not too far from Cherry Creek) is the most amazing pizza I’ve ever had in my life, full stop. I like taking people to the Halcyon Hotel too, whether it’s on the roof at Rare Bird or in the B&GC basement speakeasy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Like a lot of Black American culture, Lindy Hop’s present is based in its past. History and tradition are important, but so is the freedom to push it forward, in new directions. I think every dedicated dancer can trace their passion to someone who selflessly gave their time and energy to make them better. There are so many in my life, but I think I’ll shout out Scott Rice, who ran the Michigan State Swing Dancing Society when I lived in Lansing. Scott saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. He dedicated time outside of regular lessons to teach me new moves and hone my technique. He coordinated 45-minute drives to Ann Arbor where I could dip my toe in a larger, more experienced scene. He created a community off the dance floor too, and welcomed me, a new guy in town, earnestly. I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without him, and I try to honor him in the work I do for Boulder Swing Dance.

Website: https://www.boulderswingdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boulderswingdance/

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Image Credits
Grant Fukui (first image) and William Kucharski (all other images)