The History of the Jitterbug Dance
The jitterbug dance is composed of energetic, acrobatic and improvisational movements performed with a partner, solo or in a line. Under the umbrella of swing dance, its freedom of movement influenced other dance styles, including the shag, jive and push.
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Name Origin
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The jitterbug takes its name from the jerky movements attributed to the exuberance of dancers during Prohibition, who had the "jitters" from drinking too much alcohol.
Influences
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The Charleston and Lindy Hop, two popular dances of the 1920s, influenced the movements of the jitterbug. Popular in Harlem, the Lindy Hop was influenced by African dance movements.
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History
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The jitterbug originated in the United States and spread throughout the country and into Europe during World War II, becoming a popular social dance in the 1930s and '40s.
Music
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The jitterbug is danced to syncopated rhythms in 4/4 time commonly found in jazz and swing music. It is also danced to rock 'n roll and other styles of upbeat contemporary music.
Evolution
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As swing and jazz music evolved, so did the jitterbug. When the jitterbug became an accepted form of ballroom dancing in the mid-1940s, dancers enhanced their movements with tap and jazz steps. It became a popular dance with teenagers in the 1950s.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bing Images
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Comments
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Jitterbug came mainly from a dance called the "Collegiate Shag" which was more widely done in the USA than the Lindy-Hop in the 1920's & 1930's. The Shag was originally called the "Flea Hop" before the early 1930's and did have a bounce to it because of a hopping step. It was this hopping motion that coined the term "Jitterbug" to swing dancers. The Lindy-Hop is a smoother dance and does not have a hopping or jerky motion to it and it did not become popular outside Harlem until the later 1930's. The Collegiate Shag has become popular again over the last decade with vintage swing dancers, and competitions are held annually throughout the US.
