What is swing dancing?

Swing dancing is a form of Jazz dance, and was originally danced to music where the beat ‘swings’.

We can’t say enough that Lindy Hop is the mother of all the swing dances.  In fact, Its origins are firmly as an African-American dance, which originated in the 1920s and 30s in Harlem, New York. It is full of energy and fun. 

The Lindy Hop led to dances such Balboa, Jitterbug, Jive, Western Swing, West Coast Swing, East Cost Swing, Rock and Roll, Ballroom Jive, Boogie Woogie, Acrobatic Rock and Roll, Modern Jive and much much more.

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. Lindy Hop is still danced to the swing tunes of yesteryear as well as a host of modern music.

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The main dances taught and danced locally are:

The Lindy Hop

Quite simply this dance is truly amazing. Indeed it is as simple as that. 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 tried or even 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 if you want to see 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 started when so many people were dancing in small spaces or crowded dance floors.