Swing Dancing

Are you on the East Coast? If so, did you know there is a style of swing dancing named for your geographic region? East Coast swing dancing is an updated form of the original dance moves which originated in the Harlem clubs to jazz music. East Coast swing is quite similar to Eastern Swing which got its inspiration from dances like the Shag and Foxtrot. It is a partner style of dance, which means it takes two. Beat patterns are very important to swing dance, with East Coast Swing being centered around both six count and eight count beats.

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Learning the swing dancing basic steps cannot be done until the dance itself is understood. Swing is a form of dance which dates back to the 1920s and the wildly successful Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. The Savoy featured a very large dance floor and an elevated bandstand which lent itself perfectly to the enthusiastic form of jazz dance that came to be known as swing. Swing dance started off as a fad in the twenties, gained popularity in the thirties and became a full-blown craze in the forties, spawning schools, competitions and variations. Swing today is quite similar to how it was in its heyday, with participants even wearing costumes from decades past.

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One of the hottest trends in dance classes and clubs is that of swing dancing. If you’re planning to try this type of dance for yourself, you will need a good pair of swing dancing shoes. While you could wear a regular pair of shoes, it’s not recommended. Dance shoes are designed for just that, dance. The soles are made to be non-slip and there is often more arch support than you’ll find with your everyday shoes. When shopping for dance shoes, you’ll find they come in a variety of fashionable styles and colors.

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If you’re in a relationship that’s gotten a bit predictable, why not spice things up a bit by doing something new? Novelty is a friend of romance, which is why choosing to do an adventurous activity can renew the spark between you and that special someone. Swing dancing is a perfect choice because it’s ideal for couples and is romantic and fun. Swing dancing couples get the benefits of great exercise and time spent together learning a fun new skill.

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Believe it or not, there is such a thing as professional swing dancing. You can actually make a lucrative career out of this fun and exciting form of dance. Swing dance originated in the mid 1920s at the Savoy Ballroom, a happening night spot in Harlem. From there, this form of dance became popular nationwide throughout the 1930s, 1940s and beyond. In the 1940s, swing dance studios, competitions and clubs began popping up all over the place. In addition, variations on original swing also began taking shape.

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Country swing dancing is a variation on the original form of swing which originated in Harlem during the 1920s. You might also hear this form of dance referred to as Western swing. This form of music and dance is clearly inspired by the original yet has its own distinct style. There are many enthusiasts these days who have formed their own clubs, competitions and associations around this type of music and dance. There are books, DVDs, web sites and classes devoted to Western Swing.

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The style of dance known as swing originated in the 1920s and continued on through the 1940s with much popularity in between. In the late 20s, the dance du jour was the Lindy Hop. Swing dancing in the 1930s saw the introduction of the Jitterbug, named for a piece of music by big band leader Cab Calloway. The 30s also ushered in the age of swing-jazz music and is thought by many to be the decade which defined swing dancing. Eventually, dancers who participated in swing style dancing were called Jitterbugs themselves, after the popular dance that took the world by storm.

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The history of swing dancing begins in the early 1920s, in the smoky jazz clubs of Harlem. It was here that the origins of this form of dance began to take shape. The swing craze and popularity of jazz spread throughout the nation, quickly finding its place in mainstream society. In 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened to much fanfare and welcomed dancers to its spacious dance floor. The Lindy Hop as it is now known was born at the Savoy and named by a man named Shorty George Snowden. Snowden was asked what the name of the dance taking place on the dance floor was, at which time he made up the name the Lindy Hop. Legend has it that he got the name from a newspaper headline about Charles Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic.

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Swing dancing dress is one of the most enjoyable parts of this pursuit, besides the dance itself. If you’ve always been drawn to retro and vintage styles, you will love the costumes worn by swing dancers. Swing dance originated at the Savoy Ballroom in the 1920s and has enjoyed a great deal of popularity since then. The thirties and forties are thought to be the golden years of swing, with the fifties and beyond spawning different variations of the dance which featured different costumes.

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Swing dancing steps are easier to learn than many people think. While there can be complicated variations, most every step is based on a predictable beat pattern of six or eight. The first thing you should do if you are interested in learning to swing dance is watch others. That way, you will have a rudimentary grasp on the moves which can serve you well if you take lessons. Lessons are offered not only at dance studios but also online. The best lessons, of course, are ones you attend in person rather than virtually. It’s also important to understand that different types of swing have different steps.

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