Swing Dance Styles

You cats are cutting one mean rug!

Click here to find out more about swing and blues music.

The majority of these dance styles are seen on our dance floor. It is not a comprehensive list of the styles that exist in the world of swing dancing! There are so many dances in the world, we encourage everyone to explore and immerse themselves in those dances, whether its in the Ballroom scene, Swing scene, or any other dance scene. We currently teach Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing for our drop in classes.

Lindy Hop

Lindy hop is a jazz dance that combines partnered and individual types of dances such as tap, breakaway, jazz and Charleston. The dance evolved over time as jazz music evolved. It was revitalized again in the early 90s, and since grew in popularity.

Lindy hop is famously known for their flashy incorporation of aerial steps, which are variations used specifically in performances and competitions. In the social dance world and for the average dancer, Lindy hop teaches leads how to convey their leading and following of variations through cues and body movement. The signature move of Lindy Hop is the swing out. The dance itself is a highly energetic and rewarding type of dance for all ages!

Balboa

Balboa is a branch of swing that articulates intricate footwork and body connection. It tests the partnership of the dance, and balboa shines exceptionally at fast song tempos. The dance further specializes into two aesthetic forms: Pure Balboa and Bal-Swing.

Charleston

Charleston is a dance originating from the 1920s, when American dancers preferred an upright look. Two decades later, the aesthetics of the dance took a more grounded look, with more kicks and stretches that make this particular dance look very energetic.

East Coast Swing

Sometimes interchangeable with the word Jitterbug, East Coast Swing provides a strong foundation for other styles of dance. It focuses on the partners’ ability to communicate with each other through lead variations. A lot of its variations use a six count rhythm rather than the eight count rhythm found in Lindy Hop or Balboa. This style is taught to beginners in our venue. It gives dancers some introduction to technique and instills them with a confidence to go forward into the world of social dance.

Blues

Blues is a dance that originate from the roots of Blues music and African American vernacular jazz elements. It evolved over time as the dance was introduced into the American culture. Traditionally, Blues is danced in a closer body connection during a partnered dance. Not to be confused with Fusion, which is explained in detail in the next section.

Fusion

Fusion is a growing art form that incorporates a large variety of dance styles. It encourages dancers from different dance backgrounds such as Blues, West Coast Swing, Tango, Salsa, and other Ballroom dances to effectively communicate their lead and following in slow to mid-tempo songs. Fusion is also a new branch of music that encourages this dance style.