The history swing dancing goes back as far as the 1920's when the Harlem Renaissance started. Social dancing back then played a huge part in Harlem life. For some, dance was a break from the harsh economic realities and the heartache of earning a living doing horrible tasks. For others, swing dancing was done for fun and to have a good time in the night life. At the time there were two main types of swing dances that were most popular. One of which was called charleston and the other was called lindy hop.
Lindy Hop, that was also known as Jitterbug, is the genuine Afro-Euro-American Swing dance. It is an joyful dance, with a solid, flowing style that closely reflects its music from the late 1920's. While dancing the "Lindy Hop" partners are connected smoothly and gently to each other, while relating closely to the music, in feeling, improvisation and phrasing. The Charleston dance is a dance that has been around since 1903 but become extremely popular in 1920. The dance consist of swaying both arms and moving your feet in a fast motion. Also enjoyable as well.
Even today swing dancing is practiced all over the world in ballrooms, barrooms, basements and school gymnasiums across America. As it progressed throughout the years many different types of swing dancing has been established such as Two-Step, Waltz, Cha Cha, and West Coast Swing,Jive, Push, Whip, Shag, East coast swing, West coast swing, Imperial, Jamaican, Bop, etc. Different dances come alive when different music plays but either way, with swing you'll always be dancing and on your feet having fun. I chose to write about swing dancing because as a dancer myself and loving what i do, I love when i get the opporunity to learn something new.
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