What Do You Mean, Swing?

Janice Galapon, Ewa Beach:

I have come across some surprising information on Swing that covers quite an area. In International dance Style they limit it to "Jive." In American, they limit it to East Coast and Triple Step and some will admit others. In country dancing they specialize more in West Coast Swing. But there certainly is a lot more swinging going on that is of interest to our growing readers.

"Do you love life?  Then do not squander time,  for that is the stuff life is made of."

 

In many scenes inside and outside the United States the term "Swing dancing" is used to refer generically to one or all of the following swing era dances: Lindy Hop, Lindy Charleston, Shag, Balboa and Blues. This group is often extended to include West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, Jive, Rock and Roll, Modern Jive, and other dances developing in the 1940s and later. In Hawaii, the total among the swing clubs amounts to quite a bit.

"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
by Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson
 

A strong tradition of social and competitive boogie woogie and acrobatic rock'n'roll in Europe add these dances to their local swing dance cultures. In Singapore and other scenes, Latin dances such as salsa, bachata and Tango are often taught and danced within the "Swing scene", and for many scenes, even tap dancing and a range of other jazz dances are considered key, as are hip hop and other contemporary African American street dances. The variations continue, dictated by local dance community interests.

"Spanish Harlem" by  Ben E. King

Many swing dancers today argue that it is important to dance many styles of partner dance to improve technique, but also to reflect the historical relationship between these dances in the swing era of the 1920s and 1930s. In the Savoy Ballroom, for example, bands would often play waltzes, Latin songs and so on, as well as swinging jazz.

 

Dancers were often familiar with a wide range of popular and traditional dances. There seems to be a few Swing Dance Clubs in town, we just never hear about them around here. * * * *

How about this new Swing Dance Club in Ewa Beach?