A Brief History of Swing Dance

Swing is a very energetic and unique dance. It can bedances that were developed in the 20s, 30s and 40s
simple or complex, but you can be assured it's alwaysof the last century. With the rising popularity of jazz
fun. There are many different styles or versions ofmusic many different forms of dances like Lindy hop
it, each with distinct characteristics. As its nameevolved: Jitterbug, Balboa, East coast and West
implies, it is known for its swings, lifts and spins thatcoast swing, Boogie-woogie, Collegiate Shag, St. Louis
can sometimes be quite complicated. It's a quickShag, and Imperial Swing, just to name a few.
dance that requires a considerable degree of physicalAlthough originally danced to the swing style of jazz
fitness. In this article we'll take a quick look at itsmusic, you can dance to a wide variety of music
history.styles, from country and pop to rock and roll. As
The history of swing begins with the history of Lindymusic changed from the 1920s so did the dances.
hop. Lindy hop originated in the late 1920s in NewRock and roll music brought, well, rock and roll.
York and reached huge popularity in the 30s and 40s.Rhythm & Blues music brought Imperial Swing,
It has its roots in the Charleston and Foxtrot andCarolina shag, and so on.
was danced to what was at a time called jazz music.Like jazz, swing grew out of the African American
Jazz music was also known as swing music and thecommunities. With the help of American soldiers
dances danced to it became known as swing dances.during the WWII, it spread all around the world.
Lindy hop got its name after Charles Lindbergh, theToday, it is one of the most popular dances enjoyed
famous aviator. It is still danced today.worldwide.
In general, the term swing refers to a group of