Lindy Hop & Jitterbug Swing Era (1920s-1950s)
A true American dance, Lindy had its origin in Harlem New York during the roaring 1920's, and has undergone many changes. Almost every decade has its particular brand of Swing. After Charles Lindbergh's first flight across the Atlantic, it was called the Lindy Hop; shortly after, the Jitterbug evolved; and the advent of Rock 'n' Roll during the 1950's changed the dance again. Most styles contain 6 and 8 count patterns danced to upbeat, energetic music. Depending on the geographic area you reside in, you may hear it called different names such as: Philadelphia Lindy, Savoy Swing (NYC) , Imperial Swing (St. Louis) and Bop. Today East Coast Swing (Jitterbug), Lindy Hop, Jive and West Coast Swing dominate the swing dance scene. Music preferences: Big Band, Jazz, 50's Rock & Roll, Retro Swing, Blues. (See Video Clip)
West Coast Swing
This dance began in Blues clubs in the 1940's, originating from the Lindy Hop . Dean Collins was influential in developing a style of Lindy swing danced in a "slot" on the West Coast of the United States. Collins arrived in the Los Angeles area around 1937 and soon made a name for himself as a swing dancer in the Hollywood movie industry. Since then, the "slotted dance" style has spread to other regions of the country and has developed styling and name changes. Examples are: The Texas Push, Chicago Steppin, and D.C. Hand Dancing. Whatever you may call it, West Coast Swing is a very popular, sexy and contemporary swing dance today. Music preferences: Blues, R&B, Funk, Hip-Hop,Top 40.
Carolina Shag
Nicknamed "Beach Dancing," the Shag is an offshoot of Jitterbug Swing. Shag originated on the beaches of South Carolina, particularly Atlantic Beach and Myrtle Beach, in the 1940's. It is danced to Motown, Blues, Oldies, R&B, and slow to medium tempo Swing music. The Shag showcases fancy footwork and spins with a smooth, flowing feeling Involving 6 & 8 count patterns mostly danced in a slot.The Shag is reminiscent of the West Coast and East Coast Swing styles. This dance was named the official state dance of South Carolina in 1984, and has remained popular in the South. You don't have to find a beach for this dance, but you could easily dance the Shag with a drink in your hand and pretend. Music preferences: Blues, Motown, Oldies, Beach.
Balboa
Balboa came from Southern California during the 20's and increased in popularity until World War 2. Balboa is named for the Balboa Peninsula, in Newport Beach, California where it was invented. It is believed to have started at the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach. A small, active Balboa community has always existed in the Los Angeles area. Today, Balboa is resurging worldwide due in part to the efforts of Jonathan Bixby and Sylvia Sykes. Some original Balboa dancers quotes: "We can't tell you how to dance Balboa, but we can tell you when you are not dancing Balboa." "As soon as you start attracting attention to yourself, you are not doing Balboa anymore"
Balboa today is commonly used as a general term for dances that come from southern California during the 1920's and 30's, which makes the history very confusing. The Original Balboa dancers have long passed and many of the swing dancers that followed continued to use their steps and sometimes styles to integrate into their "swing" dancing which some people today call "bal-swing".
Balboa is a form of swing dance that started as early as 1915 and gained in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. It is danced primarily in close embrace, and is led with a full body connection. The art of Balboa is the subtle communication between the lead and follow, like weight shifts, that most viewers cannot see. As a result, Balboa is considered more of a "dancer's dance" than a "spectator's dance".
Balboa is danced to a wide variety of tempos. Because the basic is so small, Balboa can be danced to fast music (over 300 beats per minute). Balboa is also danced to slow music (under 100 beats per minute), which allows more time for intricate footwork and variations.
Collegiate Shag
The Collegiate Shag is a form of swing dancing, which has some visual similarity to balboa, but with different footwork. Danced with a lead and follow, it is now danced to primarily upper tempo jazz music (usually 200+ beats per minute) while historically it was danced to a variety of tempos but primarily mid-tempos. It is danced in a closed position dance hold (similar to those used in ballroom dances). Three forms of "Collegiate Shag" danced in the early thirties were termed single, double, and triple Shag. The variety names describe the amount of slow (step, hop) steps performed in the execution of a basic. These slow rhythmic steps were always accompanied by a single quick, quick rhythm.
"Collegiate" shag evolved from Shag a dance with no clear historical record, but assumed to be the based on early Foxtrot. The term “Shag” however is known to have been used as a slang term to describe early Vaudeville performers. The name association is presumed to relate to the lively performance nature of the dance. The differences in rhythm most likely were due to lack of standardization of Foxtrot basics at the time and the prevalence of regional styling. It was named "Collegiate" Shag most likely as a marketing ploy as many "Collegiate" dances were being created at the time for marketed towards the young ("college age") dancers. These “Collegiate” dances were leaping/hopping versions of their early ballroom counterparts. The name was derived from the way college youth would liven up the dances of old. These forms are known to pre-date the lindy hop and balboa. Other breeds of Shag were later created such as Carolina shag and St. Louis shag. These other forms only share its name "Shag", not technique or imagery. This is again, most likely, due to its slang association with performance dances.
Jive
The Jive is Europe's version of the American Jitterbug. The term "Jive" was associated with Cab Calloway's Hepsters Jive Talk and was influencing the music and dancing of the era. During World War II, much of this "Jive Talk" crossed the Atlantic and spread throughout England and the rest of Europe. Today, in the U.S., it is taught mostly in the Latin Section of the International Style. It has a rock step first with an exaggerated bounce…add kicks and flicks and you've got one heck of a workout. Not to be shied away from, the Jive is fun, flirty and full of sass! Music preferences: Big Band, Rock & Roll.
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