The History of Swing Dance

The history of swing dance is a very colorful one. Swing is much more than throwing girls in the air and gyrating on the dance floor. Its music is an interesting mix of blues, ragtime and jazz and being so very popular, it has stood the test of time.

Early History

The history of swing dance is hard to separate from other dances and types of music. Emerging out of jazz, blues and ragtime it has similarities to the Cakewalk, Foxtrot and Back Bottom. Swing dance grew, like jazz, out of the African American culture from the time of the Civil War right through most of the 20th century.

1920s

During the 1920s, swing appeared in clubs in Harlem and around Manhattan. Although it has its own specific moves, it is widely known that the most popular versions of this dance came from the Lindy Hop which in itself was created out of tap moves combined with the Charleston and Foxtrot which were the two most popular dances of the day. The birth of swing dancing was imminent.

Herbert White

Herbert White, owner and manager of the highly popular Harlem Savoy Ballroom, became a credible force behind the Lindy Hop and Swing Dance when he formed performance troupes which were featured in motion pictures of that day. "Hellzapoppin" and "A Day at the Races," both hit films, featured this dancing that created a nationwide stir. Whites were initially banned from the Savoy Ballroom, but as the swing and Lindy gained in popularity, that rule changed and these dances served as a bridge between the races. Soon, swing dance moves evolved and changed to fit the tastes of each decade and region of the country.

East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing is a straight on six-count step similar to the Lindy Hop and became wildly popular in the 1940s. Being taught at the most famous dance studio of its time, the Arthur Murray dance studios, swing dance now included the Triple-Step Swing which has much more simple footwork and can be danced to slow, medium or fast music, depending on your preference

West Coast Swing

West Coast Swing dance is a more recent form of this style of dancing and was created in the 1950s. Although it is still similar to the Lindy Hop it is danced to all types of music which includes: rock 'n' roll, country, blues and jazz. It is still a very popular dance today throughout the United States as well as Europe, Asia and as far reaching as Australia and New Zealand. Despite its name, West Coast Swing has made its way into dance studios and on dance floors around the world.

Time Frame

Swing dance has truly withstood the test of time and has morphed into many other types of dancing. Other types of swing dancing that emerged through the 20th century were Western Swing, Boogie Woogie, Imperial Swing, Carolina Shag and many other regional favorites who put their spin on the original swing moves.

References

• History of Swing Dancing