East Coast Swing Exuberant dance popularized in the 1930's and 1940's, originating in the U.S. and spread internationally by U.S. armed forces during WW II. Its original free-whelling acrobatic and lifts were modified for more conservative ballroom versions. Most versions are danced while holding one or both hands. Dance styles vary widely and include: Single Swing-the simplest version of swing is dance to a 4/4 time music with six counts in a basic step {slow slow quick quick}. This can be danced to a variety of tempos of swing music in the medium to fast tempo range. It works very well for music tempos too quick for the jive. Jive or Triple swing. This swing is danced in an overall circular motion with the partners changing positions with each other. Jive-dancers take a step-close-step to each side and a rock step {one foot back, one slightly forward}. Also known as Triple time swing. This is danced to 4/4 time music with six counts in a basic step. Competition Jive is danced to fast paced swing music and concentrates on a bounce action in the knees. Social Triple Swing can be danced to swing music in a variety of tempos. Triple swing can be a circular dance or can travel in a line with one or both partners moving down the line, depending on the moves danced. West Coast Swing-"slot" dance in which the man begins dancing by facing the lady, steps off a "track" while he leads the lady to pass him, and then he steps back on the "track" to face the lady as she turns to meet him. The lady dances back and forth on this track, executing turns,spins,and syncopated movements. Swing music with a medium slow tempo and a blues feel epitomizes the style of West Coast swing,but faster tempo swing music is also used, with the swing taking on a Hustle feel.
Description of other Dances
Viennese Waltz The Viennese Waltz is characterized by swift right and left turns, with hestitations every often to change direction, or to allow the dancers a pause to catch their breath and to strike a "line"(pose). This is oldest of the ballroom dances, originating in the 1700's and becoming popular in the early 1800's. The Viennese Waltz is one of the most challenging dances to master, but also one the most exhilarating to dance. Viennese Waltz is dance to 3/4 time music with a fast tempo. Waltz Over time the lifting 3/4 time music of the Viennese Waltz was slowed down for less formal ballrooms and the dance adapted to the slower tempo. This is the dance we think of when we hear "waltz or 3/4 time music. A more varied set steps is performed at the slower tempo, but the dance still contains the lifting sway of the quicker Viennese. Foxtrot The Foxtrot originated in 1913 when a Vaudeville performer by the name of Harry Fox performed a little trot which appealed to the social dancer teachers in New York. It has gone through many chaanges since that time and is now comprised of soft and fluid linear movements. The Foxtrot can be a most deceiving dance as it loos very easy but, at the higher levels, is one of the most difficult dances to master. Foxtrot and Waltz share many moves in common, but the timing and style differences in the music make each dance unique. Foxtrot is danced to medium slow to slow 4/4 time music. Nightclub 2-Step A dance devised by Swing Dance Champion and Teacher, Buddy Schwimmer. The Nite Club 2-Step is danced to 4/4 time music with a slow to medium slow tempo, but without a latin syncopation. R&B music is often perfect for this dance. The tempo similar to that of Rhumba, but the feel of the music is more fluid. The dance has a simple quick quick slow side to side motion to which added turns, cuddles, spins and travelling pattern across the floor. "Lady in Red" is the quintessential Night Club 2 Step song. Cha-Cha During the 1950s the Cha Cha was made famous by many Latino bands such as Xavier Cugat and Prez Prado. Cuban in origin, the Cha Cha rhythm is found in much of today's popular music. The dance is related to the Rumba and Mambo. A rhythmic innovation in the dance music changed the slow step held on the last beat of one measure through the first beat of the next measure to step-close-step(three steps to two beats of music). Cha Cha is danceed to syncopated 4/4 time latin and popular music with a medium to fast tempo. The dance is characterized by a rhythmic tic in the upper body and "Cuban motion" of the legs and hips. Rumba Rumba a latin dance of Afro-Cuban folk dance origin that became internationally popular in the early 20th century. Best known for the dancers subtle side to side hip movements with torso erect(Cuban motion) the rumba is danced with a basic pattern of two quick side steps and a slow forward step. Three steps are executed to each bar of music. The music, in 4/4 time, has an insistent syncopation and is slow to medium in tempo. Samba A latin dance of Brazillian origin, popularized in western Europe and the U.S. in the early 40's. Characterized by a simple forward and backward step and tilting, rocking body movements, it is danced to music in 4/4 time with syncopated rhythm. Couples may dance in close latin hold or seperate to dance variant steps. Musical movies of the late 30's and early 40's featuring Carmen Miranda give many examples of early Samba. Mambo A latin dance of Cuban origin, internationally popular in the late 40's and early 50's. It is danced as a quicker, off-beat Rumba in which a step taken on the last beat of music in 4/4 time is held through the first beat of the next measure. Mambo foot patterns and breaks are essentially the same as in the rumba, the basic movement being front, back, close. Mambo is danced to syncopated latin music in 4/4 time and a rapid tempo. Salsa is similiar to Mambo and is danced to the faster Mambo music, but is not syncopated and can be danced without accenting any beat. Bolero A slower version of Rumba, slowest latin ballroom dance. The movements are drawn out and delayed, or held to release in an explosive movement. The music is 4/4 time, of a slow, romantic flavor. Merengue This dance originated in the Dominican Republic and / or Haiti. It is danced with a limping step to driving 2/4 time music with an insistent beat. Tango The Tango evolved in the bordellos of Buenos Aires, Argentina and was refined during its travels to Europe and America. Ballroom tango is more stylized than the more intimate and inprovisational Argentine Tango, but still retains the tension and sensuality of the original. Tango is danced in a slightly different manner than the other smooth (non latin) dances. The closed hold is closer, with the lady's left hand hooked under the right arm of the man, with the man's right further around the back of the lady. This creates a firmer hold for quick staccato action and stylized poses. Tango is danced to 4/4 time music with an 8 count phrasing.
Links of Interest Clays Studio Bridgetown Swing Uptown Dance Studio Doug Silton Bushwhackers Portland Swing Dance Club Dance Vision Dance With Joy Ballroom Dance Co Portland Dance Festival Linda Springstead Practice Session at the Old Clay's Dance Studio in Portland circa 1999 (Hosted by Sher Jennings) .
Photos from first annual Barbeque at Clay's Halfway House for Dancers
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