SWING DANCE
Swing dance is not just one dance, but many!
Flying Monkey Swing offers group and private lessons in the following solo, partnered, and group swing dances.
Line/Solo Dances
THE BIG APPLE
Although the exact origin of the Big Apple is unknown, the most well known choreography amongst swing dancers is the routine from the 1939 film ‘Keep Punchin’’ which features Franking Manning and the rest of Whitey’s Lindyhoppers.
BLACK BOTTOM
Black Bottom originated in New Orleans in the 1900s and became popular during the Flapper era of the 1920s. The theatrical show ‘Dinah’ brought the Black Bottom dance to New York in 1924 and the George White Scandals featured it a the Apollo Theatre in Harlem in 1926-7. The dance became a sensation and ended up overtaking the popularity of the Charleston, eventually becoming the number one social dance.
CHARLESTON
Named for the city of Charleston in South Carolina, the rhythm of the dance is a traditional one from West Africa and was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called ‘The Charleston’ by composer/pianist James P. Johnson. Despite it’s black history, Charleston is most frequently associated with white flappers and the speakeasy during Prohibition.
JITTERBUG STROLL
The Jitterbug Stroll was originally choreographed by Ryan Francois to the song ‘Woodchopper’s Ball’, however, it can be danced to any swing music that has phrases of 48 beats (= 6 sets of 8 beats), including the song ‘Jitterbug Stroll’ by Steven Mitchell that features calls for each of the dance moves.
THE MADISON
The Madison is an amusing line dance that originated in the late 1950s. Based on a six count chorus step, The Madison contains several dance sequences that make playful references to the 1950s and 60s television shows (the Rifleman), sports starts (Wilt Chamberlain), and performers (Jackie Gleason). Although it is often danced to the Ray Bryant tune ‘The Madison Time’ with calls provided by Eddie Morrison, it can be danced to generic music with the DJ calling the figures.
SHIM-SHAM SHIMMY
The Shim-Sham was originally a tap dance routine often credited to Leonard Reed, who originally called it ‘Goofus’ or to Willie Bryant. Amongst swing dancers it is often danced as a line dance. Although there is no universal ‘Shim Sham’ choreography popular routines include those choreographed by Dean Collins and Frankie Manning.
TRANKEY DOO
Choreographed by Pepsi Bethel, the Trankey Doo first appeared in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1940s. At the time, it was dance to the song ‘Tuxedo Junction.’ Footage of this version can be seen in the vintage film, ‘Spirit Moves’.
There also exists a version of the Tankey Doo that is choreographed by Frankie Manning. It is rumored that his version was inspired by one of the chorus girls from the Congaroo Dancers, whose nickname was ‘Trankey Doo.’
Partnered Dances
BALBOA & BAL-SWING
Balboa came from Southern California during the 20s and increased popularity during World War II. Believed to have started at the Balboa Pavilion, it is named for the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California.
Closer forms of Balboa, often known as ‘Pure Balboa’ emerged as a response to overcrowded ballrooms where the break away (a move popular in Lindy Hop at the time) was often difficult, if not banned by the venue.
‘Bal-Swing’ encompasses similar footwork and rhythms as pure forms of Balboa, however, allows for more time spent outside of closed position.
CHARLESTON
Partnered Charleston became popular in the 1930s and 40s and is closely associated with Lindy Hop. In this later Charleston form, the hot jazz timing of the 1920s Charleston was adapted to suit the swing jazz music of the 30s and 40s.
The three common positions for partnered Charleston is closed position (‘front to front’,) side-by-side and tandem position (one dancer in front of the other).
COLLEGIATE SHAG
Collegiate Shag, also known as ‘Double’ Shag has some visual similarities to Balboa however is based on different footwork. It is often danced to upper tempo music and is characterized by its energetic nature.
The term ‘Shag’ is known 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 term ‘Collegiate’ was likely tagged on during the time when ‘Collegiate’ dances were being created and marketed towards young ‘college-age’ dancers. These ‘Collegiate’ dances were leaping/hopping versions of their early ballroom counterparts.
EAST COAST SWING or JIVE
East-Coast Swing and Jive share many commonalities and for some are considered interchangeable terms for the same dance. Based on a 6-count basic, it can be danced with single, double or triple steps. In competitive ballroom dancing, Jive is considered one of the 5 Latin dances. It is also a popular dance amongst country dancers and the rock’n’roll/rockabilly crowd.
LINDY HOP
Lindy Hop evolved in the late 1920s and early 1930 from an organic fusion of many dances that preceded it, including jazz, tap and Charleston.
Rumored to have been named after Charles Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic, the Lindy Hop is considered to be the father of more modern forms of swing dance such as East-Coast and West-Coast Swing. Lindy is also known for its emphasis on improvisation and the use of ‘air steps’ (lifts and aerials) and is considered a staple in the swing dance community.
WEST COAST SWING
A descendant of Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing is characterized by a distinctive elastic look and is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. Today, West Coast is one of the more versatile and popular swing dances and is danced to many styles of music, including country, swing, funk, hip hop, and pop music.
Group Partnered Dances
SWING RUEDA
Inspired by the Salsa Rueda, Jeff Miller and Elaine Hewlett created the Swing Rueda in 2000. Based on an 8-count basic (the Lindy ‘swing-out’ or West-Coast ‘whip’), the Swing Rueda is danced in a circle with two or more couples. Moves are called and executed in unison, many requiring partner changes.
BAL-RUEDA
Like Swing Rueda, Bal-Rueda is also danced in a circle with multiple couples. However, the basic step and called moves are based on Balboa, instead of Lindy Hop. Joel & Alison Plys and Sylvia Sykes are credited with the creation of this dance.
Descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia.com and Joel & Alison Plys (Swing Brain Series - 2plyswing.com)
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FURTHER READING
'Steps of the Gods': African Dance in America: Dance and Religion
'Swing It Baby': A Sociological Discussion on Gender and Sexuality in Swing Dance