What is Swing Dancing?
Swing dancing is a form of Jazz dance, and evolved with music where the beat ‘swings’. Its origins are firmly as an African-American dance, starting in the 1920s, in Harlem, New York, and building popularity through to the 30s and 40s. It is a rhythmic, social dance building on connection with a partner.
The Lindy Hop led to dances such Balboa, Jitterbug, Jive, Western Swing, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rock & Roll, Ballroom Jive, Boogie Woogie, Acrobatic Rock & Roll, Modern Jive and much more.
The Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop came about in response to the music of the great band leaders and composers, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Bennie Goodman; and singers and musicians including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Lindy Hop is still danced to the swing tunes of yesteryear as well as a host of modern music.
Lindy Hop has a complex history and culture and is difficult to sum up in a few words. It has provided a way for people to express themselves during times of repression, as well as being full of energy and fun and allowing dancers to connect with others. iLindy provide a great overview here.
The main dances taught and danced locally are:
The Lindy Hop
People dance Lindy Hop all over the world and many feel it is the Number 1 swing dance. It can be danced slow, fast or anywhere in-between. Charleston, (possibly the only swing dancing you’ve heard of) can be danced separately but it can be included as part of The Lindy Hop. So if you learn Lindy, you’ll learn some Charleston too!
Want to find out what Lindy Hop looks like? Watch this iconic video of the original dancers:
Or watch some of the Lindy Hop pros dancing at a slower tempo
Collegiate Shag
Yes, we call it Shag for short. And it’s a whole lot of fun. Lots of jumping and kicking, and often danced to faster music. Take a look at our local teachers dancing it:
Balboa
Balboa is another dance in the same family. It evolved when many people were dancing in small spaces or crowded dance floors.