Harlem Swing Dancing — The Original Swing
There’s no question that swing dance has many variations which have been developed over the years. Times change, people change, trends change. And because of it, swing dancing has also changed to suit society’s preferences and needs. However, there is one type that has remained true to its roots — Harlem swing dancing. This name refers to the style of swing first seen at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom in the 1920s. It was here that the swing jazz craze was born.
At the Savoy Ballroom, the best dancers in New York came to use the spacious dance floor. They performed an energetic style of dance to the swinging jazz tunes being played in the bandstand. The legend surrounding the Lindy Hop is that a dance expert named Shorty George Snowden came up with the name after glancing at a newspaper headline proclaiming Charles Lindbergh’s hop across the Atlantic Ocean in his plane. Other popular dances that were frequently seen at the Savoy included the Jitterbug and the Charleston.
Like most trends, the older generation didn’t care for swing dancing at first. In its early days at the Savoy, it was thought of and called a degenerate form of jazz. It was seen as something done by the young, rebellious and according to the president of the Dance Teachers Business Association, economically unstable. Many predicted the swing craze wouldn’t last long. But it looks like swing surprised the traditionalists, gaining popularity as the thirties turned into the forties. At that time, schools and competitions devoted to swing began to pop up. Variations on the original Savoy swing began to develop.
Today, Harlem swing dancing is enjoyed by dancers of all ages, from all walks of life. There are lessons and clubs where this form of dance is practiced. One of the most fun parts is the old fashioned clothing. Most old-school swing enthusiasts like to dress the part with apparel right out of the thirties and forties. You’ll see women in flirty skirts and Mary Janes, and men wearing dapper striped suits and wingtip shoes. Another benefit to original swing is the workout you get. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why so many people these days are discovering this historic type of dance.
