LET’S SWING INTO SPRING!
We’re super amped for Spring! The days are getting longer and energy levels are peaking.
Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s Party!”. So, get your dance shoes on, we’re getting our Spring on. Are you ready to Swing into Spring?
Get Swing Savvy – Wednesday 7:00PM Group Lessons
From East to West Coast, we got you covered. Every Wednesday in April at 7:00PM, we’ll take you for a Swing Fling. Starting with E.C. Swing for two weeks followed by W.C. Swing for the next two. Learn the different nuances of East vs West and enjoy the catchy, jazzy
rhythms of this true American dance form. (calendar link)
The History of Swing Dance
The Swing Dance is an umbrella term for all the variations of Swing dancing. It is a true American dance form as it originated in the United States. The dance itself originated in the night clubs of New York’s Harlem District when an exciting evolution of jazz music broke out in the late 1920’s.
“On March 26, 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened its doors in New York during a time called the Harlem Renaissance, when the arts flourished among African Americans in the United States and Europe. The club was a center for Jazz music and dance, where some of the most important individuals performed what was called Swing Dance. In those days, you couldn't take a class in Swing Dance. Night Clubbers went to the jazz clubs to learn this cutting-edge music and dance. At a time when racial segregation was quite strict, the Savoy enforced a non-discrimination policy and it was one of the few, if not the only place where both Whites and African Americans were welcome in an unsegregated public space.” Source: AAEP1600
One of the most famous dances that came from the Savoy was the very athletic dance called the "Lindy Hop" (also known as the Jitterbug). The dance got its name from the Charles Lindbergh’s first solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic which happened at that time.
It developed from dancers mimicking other dance crazes of the time, including the Charleston and the foxtrot.
The Different Types of Swing Dance
Swing Fever caught on and became the iconic dance of the 30’s to the 50’s.
This exuberant style of dance required some level of fitness and athleticism. However, the many different variations of the dance made it a favourite among both the young and the old.
There are several different styles of swing dancing. The two main categories are East Coast and West Coast swing, although there are several different iterations associated with one or the other.
In competitive ballroom dancing, there are a handful of recognized styles, including Swing (predominantly East Coast), which falls into the American Rhythm category, and Jive (a variation on the original Lindy Hop), which falls into the International Latin category.
As for recreational dancing, there are a wide variety of swing styles to explore, from classic East Coast and West Coast to iterations like Lindy Hop/Jitterbug, Balboa, Lindy Charleston, jive, hand dancing, shag, whip, and several localized variations of some of these styles, among other styles and fads.
It's probably best for beginners to start with either East Coast or West Coast swing before branching out into variants. Your best option as a beginner is to take a class to learn the basics of swing dancing and then move on from there. Join us this April 2018 at Blueheel Dance Studio for your introduction to Swing.
GET YOUR SWING ON!
Every Wednesday in April at 7:00PM.
Blueheel Dance Studio
34 Lakeshore Road E, Mississauga
905 274 3262