12/25/2023 0 Comments West coast swing dance moves list![]() The Jive is an extremely fast version of the ECS, with a tempo as high as 175 BPM. Instead, they accentuate the rhythm and the fast tempo with complex, fast-moving footwork. ![]() Unlike other types of swing dance, the dance partners stay in a closed position almost through the entire length of the performance. Balboaīalboa is a type of swing dance that originates from Southern California. ![]() This dance can be done to six-count as well as eight-count patterns. For pro-level dancers, the Lindy Hop can also include riskier and bolder swing dance moves like aerials and lifts. Special characteristics of this dance include whips, kicks, and swing-out moves where the lead will “swing” their partner away, then draw them back. Though its popularity peaked in the 1930s, many places and events still host the Lindy Hop. The Lindy Hop is the “original” swing dance. The tempo can vary greatly, but they’re typically very fast, between 80 to 120 BPM. Besides classic swing and big band music, WCS dancers also perform zpop, country swing, blues, and rock music. The mirror opposite of East Coast Swing dance is, of course, West Coast Swing! Plus, the dance uses three common rhythms depending on the music and the beat: single, double, and triple. The dancers will circularly move about the floor, typically ending with a rock step. Beginners can quickly learn the choreography in just a couple of weeks (this is also the reason why most novice swing dancers are advised to start with East Coast Swing first before moving on to tougher styles.)ĮCS mostly uses a six-count pattern, but occasionally, the dancers can improvise to include an eight-count pattern, too. East Coast Swing DancingĮast Coast Swing is one of the most popular forms of swing dancing out there due to its simplicity. There’s no shortage of classes that instruct them, either. There are several types of swing dancing, most of which are still being performed today. Today, swing dance continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, with communities and dance scenes thriving in cities worldwide. Fortunately, there have been sporadic resurgences of swing dancing (which was in the 80s). Unfortunately, in the decades that followed, swing dance gradually fell out of favor, as other dance styles, such as rock and roll and disco, took center stage. Older folks who were used to the stricter, more formal ballroom dances weren’t very pleased … but they were a minority. And of course, every weekend, the entrance of dance halls was packed with enthusiastic dancers.ĭue to its lively energy and risque, sensual moves, swing dance became a symbol of youth culture and rebellion. ![]() You can’t tune in to a radio station without hearing a classic or two, like Mame by Louis Armstrong and Indiana by Gene Krupa. That craze was the period that’s now known as the “Swing Era”, which lasted from 1933 to 1947.Īt the height of its popularity, big-band music dominated the airwaves. It’s one of the many reasons why, eventually, the Lindy Hop spread beyond the Harlem and swept across the country in a swing dance craze. The Savoy Ballroom was one of the few places that didn’t discriminate by skin color, so everyone – no matter the color of their skin – could dance and learn from each other. It’s a combination of traditional African-American dances, along with the eight-count structure of classical European partner dances.Īs a result, the dance is familiar and can be performed by everyone at the time (do note that when the Lindy Hop came onto the scene, the US still practiced racial segregation). ![]() The Lindy Hop first appeared in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, NYC. Every weekend, young people flocked to dance halls and clubs to dance to the lively rhythm of the music.Ī notable dance that came to be atop jazz music was the Lindy Hop, which many considered to be the earliest form of swing dancing. At that time, jazz music was extremely popular. The swing dance came roaring into the American ballroom dancing scene in the 1920s in the Harlem area of New York City. There are still a lot of conflicting records and stories about the true origin of swing dancing. That’s why no performance ever looks the same: swing dancing is an exercise in creativity and improvisation. Dancers are encouraged to experiment and explore different moves and choreographies. The highlight of swing dances is their emphasis on improvisation. And speaking of music, it’s also very easy to tell swing dancing apart by their fast-paced, joyful, and energetic music! Watching a dance performance, you can tell swings apart by the dramatic lifts, spins, and flips that the dancers execute to the beat of the music. But in reality, swing dance is a family of dances rather than anything in particular. There are many specific dances that people have claimed to be “the definitive swing dance”. ![]()
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