When Dr. Zoot makes a house call to the Edgewood Club, his prescription calls for a dose of brass horns, smooth singing and couples bopping across the dance floor.

In the timeless art of swing dancing -- a group of dances developed in response to the swing band sounds of the 1920s, '30s and '40s -- the music from the live band "Dr. Zoot" and the movement of the dancers become one, a tableau of energy.

Coal Country Traditions, a local nonprofit organization on a mission to preserve many styles of dance, is keeping swing alive every week at the Edgewood Club on Pennwood Avenue in Edgewood.

Lisa Tamres, 48, of Squirrel Hill has been an avid dancer all of her life. She traveled with a friend to swing dances around the country and then decided it was time to start a dance of her own at the Edgewood Club in 1989. Eventually Coal Country Traditions took over sponsoring the dances.

"If I wanted to dance, I made them [dances] happen," Ms. Tamres said.

Ms. Tamres loves the fusion of music and dance.

"One of the pieces I love about it is being a part of the music; it's not just passive listening; you are creating along with the musicians," Ms. Tamres said. "I may not be a part of the band, but within myself, I am a part of the music."

The weekly dances cross ages. are smoke-and-alcohol-free and are open to the whole family. Local swing bands play at every dance as well.

The perfectly shined wooden floor glistens under the dimmed lights of the spacious room, while chairs line the walls for those taking a break from the hops, skips and jumps of swing.

Before every dance begins, an instructor offers an hourlong class included in the $8 dance admission.

Joe Fiore, 53, of Regent Square started learning swing in 1990. Today, he's one of the teachers.

"My life has been filled ever since," he said.

Swing students gather in a circle and alternate partners after each step is learned. Shortly thereafter, quiet strangers transform into dancing couples as they learn their taps, steps and turns.

Mr. Fiore said that the dances are a social and a physical outlet for him and all of those involved -- he can't get enough.

"My worst day at work is my best day of dancing," Mr. Fiore said. "You can be totally bummed out and go and dance and get those endorphins in and then you say, 'OK, life isn't so bad!' "

While some dancers are beginners dressed in casual clothes or comfortable sun dresses, others dress for the swinging occasion in poodle skirts and polka dot headbands.

One man steps to the beat with a tipped white fedora on his head, and a full red and white zoot suit with suspenders and matching saddle shoes. As he switches partners, his energy spreads across the floor.

While the fun is certainly found in the dance, Mr. Fiore said that the environment is not one that resembles the typical club scene.

"Dancing is their first love, making friends is their second, and the romantic stuff can happen if it happens," he said. "Somebody once said of the event, 'I dance, I flirt, and I go home alone!' "

There are four main styles of swing dancing on which Coal Country focuses: Lindy Hop is the original style of swing, according to Ms. Tamres, and is a high-energy form that is danced to all tempos. It was named for aviator Charles Lindberg's Transatlantic "hop," and became popular in the early '30s. The dance moves and elaborate kicks of the Charleston, popular in the 1920s, are present in Lindy Hop.

West Coast Swing is known as the Lindy Hop's "funky, silky cousin," added Ms. Tamres, who described it as a smooth form of swing dancing backed by more modern styles of music.

Balboa is danced in close couple position with fancy footwork. It is an obscure style of swing that originated in southern California and is seen in many classic films.

Jitterbug is the style taught at the introductory lessons prior to each dance. This playful style requires partners to use their arms and hands to shift and rotate their hips, while the feet step from beat to beat. Whatever the style, Ms. Tamres says that for her, the fun never stops.

"A lot of people end up falling in love with it," Ms. Tamres said. "Every now and then, some people go nuts like I do."

Walt Rinehart, of Indiana Township, is one of those people. He said he identifies with a quote he once heard stating, "Life's not a party, so why not dance?"

Emily Santilli, 25, of Elwood City, is glad to make the trip to Edgewood for a number of reasons.

"I really like swing dancing and they always have live bands," Ms. Santilli said. "It's kind of inspiring because most venues don't have that."

Linda Gale Krause, of Squirrel Hill, has attended the dances for four years. She loves the social interaction with all involved.

"I love to dance, I love to encourage other people to dance, and I love to teach dance," said Ms. Krause, one of the Coal Country instructors. "Most of the events in Pittsburgh are great because the people are really friendly -- especially this group."

On Nov. 16 through 18, Coal Country will co-host the Pitt Stop Lindy Hop with other area swing organizations. The Pitt Stop is an exchange of swing dancing with dancers from all over the country. Barry Adams, 53, of Edgewood, serves as Coal Country's accountant. He said the Pitt Stop is one of the biggest swing exchanges in the country.

"People don't realize that a lot of people don't know about what's going on in dance here in Pittsburgh," Mr. Adams said. "It's an interesting subculture that a lot of people out there don't know about."

Mr. Fiore said that the swing dances are a place for people to let loose, make friends and enjoy the best bands in Pittsburgh.

"There are a lot of people who walk in and say, 'This is what I've been missing all of my life,' " he said.

For more information on the various dances offered by Coal Country Traditions, visit www.coalcountry.org.