![]() ![]() This is a question people often ask me, so I decided to address it here. Video created by BarnaWesties – West Coast Swing Bracelona. I’m sure you all want to see what this dance looks like, so here’s a fantastic video that demonstrates it: That’s one of the most beautiful things about this dance: There is always more than one way to dance it. Nonetheless, this dance has been, is, and will be strongly affected by various dance and music styles. These include anchoring, swinging, maintaining a slot, and linear movement. ![]() There are basic principles, which dancers should adhere to in competitions. Moreover, they even integrate patterns and moves from other dance styles into their West Coast Swing. Dancers often combine different patterns, extend, accelerate, and decelerate them. This means that there are some basic patterns, but they are all adjustable. However, when you dance West Coast Swing in a bar to live music and the songs last more than four minutes each, it’s completely acceptable not to dance with the same partner for the entire song.Īs I mentioned, West Coast Swing has a prominent improvisational aspect. In some places, especially in Europe, it may be impolite to dance less than two songs with the same partner. In most of the world, you should dance with the same partner for at least an entire song. Of course, during social dancing, you can stay with the same partner for more than one song and switch whenever you want. In West Coast Swing group classes and parties, which we often simply call “socials”, dancers switch partners all the time. Even most competitions are not choreographed, as the competitors draw random songs and even random partners in a format called Jack and Jill. It started with Jazz and Blues in dim-lit bars around San Diego, moved on to Country bars in various areas in the US, then Pop music took over, and now Hip-Hop and Lyrical Contemporary songs are making a big impact on this dance.įurthermore, this is a social dance, which has a very strong improvisational aspect. Specifically, it is mostly danced to the music that is most popular in contemporary times. People dance this style to most kinds of popular music. One of the things that make West Coast Swing unique is that it isn’t defined by a single music style it is danced to. However, this dance has evolved and changed over the years, and it keeps evolving along with the music we dance to. It is a vernacular Jazz with roots in Lindy Hop. What is West Coast Swing?įirst things first, West Coast Swing is a partner dance. ![]() I’m inviting you to join me and explore a world, which is probably only known to very few of you. ![]() Writing this article has been a real journey for me. West Coast Swing is my biggest passion it is my community and family it’s a magical combination of sports and art, and socialization and competition it grants people the opportunity to make friends all around the world, express themselves in an accepting environment, and discover themselves. Therefore, I’ve decided to write down everything I know and gathered from different sources about West Coast Swing, which is much more than just a hobby – at least for me. Yes, that’s exactly what you’re thinking of. I even heard that some West Coast Swing schools and studios are sometimes asked whether they host swinger parties. They might imagine anything from Lindy Hop through Ballroom or Salsa to dirty dancing. When I tell someone I dance West Coast Swing, people usually have no idea what I’m talking about. I am saying all this for the benefit of those who wish to learn this dance and because it is something I am passionate about.Photo by Dan Yamamoto, WanderingWestie, at Asia West Coast Swing Open 2019. Swing dancing in general is much more relaxed than any of the other ballroom dances and having the proper frame is necessary, as it is one main difference. I am a teacher at a college swing dance club, and I know that this is important to correct. The follow’s left hand should be resting in the middle of the lead’s right upper arm near his triceps. The lead’s right hand should be on the follow’s left shoulder blade (not too high) so that the lead can control and direct her core. I have experienced this and it is confusing for both dancers. After this, these same arms should be completely relaxed if they remain up, this indicates a false lead to the follow. The lead’s left hand should be offered like a cookie jar, and the follow’s right hand reaches into it (mostly just her fingers, thumb is outside). The way you are holding hands is incorrect. I am inclined to bring this to your attention: ![]()
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