Dance Style Descriptions
Not only were all of these dances popular here in different parts America, World War II made it possible for the Americans, British, and other European countries to swap and trade dances and styles, which continues today. Early roots of some dances could even be traced back to early African dances, not to mention the impact of the ever-changing music to these dances. Red Hot Lindy Hop strives to preserve all of these dances to the best of our ability.
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Charleston
What a dance! And the variations are endless, including solo, partner 20’s and partner 30’s/40’s. Charleston is named after the city of Charleston in South Carolina, but jazz music was everywhere and the dance craze spread from coast to coast. In the 1920’s, when jazz music was gaining popularity, dancers would borrow moves from older dances, such as the Cakewalk, for improvisation and creativity. Today, these two elements combine with musicality and fast tempo, usually above 200 beats per minute, to support a good 20’s Charleston.
Partner 20s Charleston
Couples face one another in an open position for this eight count dance. A steady pulse is important for leading and keeping time with the music. This dance is commonly referred to as the father of Lindy Hop because of the break away.
Partner 30s/40s Charleston
Varies slightly as couples stand side-by-side or front to back as in tandem. As the dance transitioned, it remained an eight count dance, but because of the way the music was changing, dancers were influenced to make changes.
Tandem Charleston
Solo Charleston
Almost every move in partner 20’s and 30’s/40’s Charleston can be done solo, just remember the spirit of the flappers and speakeasy’s in the 1920’s who were trying to break away (no pun intended) from the rigidity of their parents and rebel against prohibition, through hot jazz, cold gin, and energetic dancing.
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Shag
Shag, like Charleston, got its start in the 1920’s and began in New Orleans, LA, where ragtime jazz was hot. Collegiate shag gained its name by primarily having “college age” students taking part. Other forms of shag include St. Louis and Carolina. Like Balboa and Charleston, shag is danced to upper tempo beats, usually 200 bpm plus. Couples dance face-to-face, side-by-side, and even separate completely for improvisational solo dancing. Shag has six counts and as in any dance, performers must retain a solid frame for easy lead and follow. Shag is meant to be exciting and energetic, while the look is as if dancers are floating across the floor.
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Lindy Hop
Where does the hop come in? It doesn’t. This smooth eight-count dance is rooted in Harlem, New York’s Savoy Ballroom, where it is said that dancers began to break away from the closeness of the Charleston. “Shorty” George Snowden is credited with the naming of the dance. After a dance one night, someone asked Shorty what the name of this new dance was. Since Shorty had just read about Charles Lindbergh’s “Hop” across the Atlantic. Thus, Lindy Hop was born. Lindy spread to the west coast and soon, performance troupes, such as Whitie’s Lindy Hoppers, were beginning to incorporate Lindy into their repertoire. Frankie Manning is recognized for the invention of the “Air Step” or “Aerial” in the mid 1930’s. Lindy Hop employs countless variations. Fancy footwork, musicality, personal styling, and improv can be important tools for making Lindy Hop look admirable.
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East Coast
Just as Charleston fathered Lindy Hop, so did Lindy father East Coast, or six-count swing. This easily recognizable dance is characterized by two sets of triple steps or double beats with a rock step completing the last two beats. East Coast requires, as any dance, a good frame. East Coast incorporates moves such as the outside turn, the inside turn, window turn, and stop-reverse, but don’t expect to find all the moves have the same name in every region. East Coast has definitely taken a backseat to Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa, but is a great place to start and still is a fun dance.
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Balboa
“The Dancer’s Dance,” along with Bal-Swing is quickly gaining popularity among swing dancers around the world. Balboa, as a dance, was named after the Balboa Peninsula in southern California and dates back as early as the 1920’s. It is told that the dance halls were so crowded, club owners posted signs stating, “No Break Away.” Some clubs even prohibited it. People were forced into close embraces, thus producing a smooth dance. Balboa relies heavily on good connection, strong body leads, complete weight shifts, and proper frame. Music speeds can vary from 100 to 300 bpm. Slippy-sliddy shoes are a MUST in Balboa, as the faster songs allow no time for stepping whole steps in this eight-count dance. Balboa also referred to as Pure Bal is kept in close quarters. Bal-Swing; however, leaves room for loosening the closed connection in order to bring out variations such as lollies, crossovers, and passbys.
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Blues
While Blues dancing does not fit into the swing dance genre, it is widely dance by swing dancers. You can find may late night Blues dances in swing scenes and at exchanges all over the world. Blues dancing can most closely be compared to Balboa, in that a solid frame and complete weight shifts are key to making the dance look, and most importantly, feel good. It too is taking off and gaining popularity throughout. Blues music emerged from work songs and gospel music, telling stories about love, life, and loss. The best way to think about blues is to feel the music. Make the music speak to your soul and move your body. Close contact, balance, and body leads are important for dancing. Though it can be sensual and intense at times, blues can also be relaxed, with no set number of counts or steps.
