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This street dance evolved over the past half-century from the more commonly known retro-style of Swing, the Lindy Hop. Unlike Lindy Hop, which is preserved as a historical dance and sticks to the traditional Big Band and Jazz music of the 1920's-1950's, West Coast Swing is a living dance, still evolving. It follows the music trends of each decade, and adjusts to accommodate new dance styles. In the 1970s it adopted some of the stylings of Disco and the Hustle. Now, it can be danced to most of the music played on the radio today, and incorporates many dance elements of Hip Hop and Jazz. This makes it extermely appropriate for dancing in a night club. Focused on improvisation and musical interpretation, it is the most versatile and free partner dance in existence. West Coast Swing has been enjoyed by thousands of dancers of all ages across the US and Canada for decades, but predominantly "underground". But with all the media attention developing from movies and tv shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance", all forms of partner dancing are expected to become more popular. New dancers will try the Ballroom dances, maybe dabble in Salsa, but when they find West Coast Swing, they'll fall in love.




 

 

Versatility & Practicality

It can be done slow and sexy, smooth and sophisticated, or fast and rhythmically to most types of music, including Top40, R'n'B, classic Swing, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Pop, Country & Western and Hip Hop. People of all ages can use it anywhere, anytime, to any kind of music. You can dance it in a Club, at a wedding, or in a restaurant and have the staff tip you for entertaining their guests!

 

Relevance to this generation

West Coast Swing adopts the current music, fashion, and movement trends of the times. Right now we dance to mostly Top40 and contemporary R&B. Just as "classic" radio hits are revered and cherished, many dancers also enjoy dancing to old school funk, 60's, and classic Blues. Since Hip Hop and Jazz are in the dance mainstream, WCS has adopted much of the same movement concepts. Forget high heels and ballgowns - "Westies" dress the same as if they were headed to the Bar, and the rule is dress to impress or at least get attention, but always be comfortable. West Coast swing is the smoothest, funkiest and most modern form of partner dancing in existence. It has been featured on Star Search, 30 Seconds to Fame, and Dance Fever. Like Salsa, it is a "street" dance - you can find it all over the city, in the studios and in the clubs. Imagine dancing to your favorite radio hit WITH A PARTNER!

 

Freedom & Expression

WCS is the most free and expressive partner dance in existence. It's dynamic, sexy and playful. Improvisation and spontenaeity are highly encouraged and desirable. People love West Coast because it's like being on a smooth roller-coaster ride and once the basic patterns are learned, many "surprises" can be added. You may find you sometimes even surprise yourself when dancing by spontaneously inventing new steps and patterns!

 

Equality

There is also no other partner dance where women have so much independence and decision making power. In all other partner dances, the man traditionally "leads" and the woman "follows". In West Coast, the dancing is a co-operative partnership between the dancers. Leads are mostly an "invitation", not an order, and at an advanced dancing level the lead can pass back and forward between the man and woman during the dance. Finally, along with Argentine Tango, it is the only other Western dance where it is "socially acceptable" for two men or two women to dance with each other (sexual orientation is irrelevant)

 

Accessibility

WCS is not the easiest dance to learn, but is definitely your best investment. You don't have to be amazingly skilled or spend thousands on lessons just to be good enough to have fun. Fun is accessible immediately, and it becomes more and more addictive the better you get at it. The other significant feature of the dance is the fact that advanced West Coasters can happily dance with beginners by entertaining themselves with syncopated footwork.

 

Constant Evolution

Once you learn the common basics, you are never criticized for your preferred version – there are no rules restricting patterns or style, just plain old physics and manners. In fact, dancers are encouraged to explore variations and create new moves themselves. There are over 5000 documented patterns and more are created and added every year. Thanks to the contributions of science, all dance forms have enjoyed an upgrade in ergonomics. Movement specialists have studied the dance and reformed teaching techniques to make West Coast Swing more efficient and enjoyable. But this information is slow in reaching remote areas. Like in technology, there are still outdated versions being taught and danced, but eventually they will give way to the more functional, more effective techniques and styles.

 
 
 
 
 
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Dance
(click to view videoclip)
Family
Origin
Difficulty
Music
Technique Emphasis
Style
Fashion
Descendant
of Lindy Hop
West Coast,
USA
1940's
 Medium
R&B, Blues,
Top40,
Funk, Jazz,
60's, 80's 
Linear, Elastic
Action-Reaction
Features the woman
Walks & Triple steps
Dynamic,         
Funky, Sexy,
Groove 
Dressy-Casual
What you would 
wear to a night
club 
The original
Swing dance
New York, 
USA
1920's
 Medium
1920's-1950's
jazz, blues &
big band
Circular, Low
Leveraged
Original Jazz Footwork
Rocksteps & Triple steps
Fast, Casual,
Carefree,
Athletic
Some very
casual, Some
dress in
1940's theme
costumes
East Coast  Swing
Descendant
of Lindy Hop
North America
1950's
Low 
Old-time rock
& roll, big band, lly
Diluted Lindy Hop
Lilt/Bounce
Rocksteps & Triple Steps
Bouncy,
Casual, Easy
Same as Lindy Hop
Shag
Cousin
of Lindy Hop
SouthEast
USA
1920's
 Medium
Beach Music,
Blues
Linear
Intricate footwork
Features the man
Rocksteps & Triples steps   
Smooth,
floating,
contained
Casual.
Sandals are
common 
Decendant
of Lindy Hop
NorthEast
USA
1950's
 Medium
R&B, Funk,
Blues
Linear, Body Isolations
Tandem movements
Spins & Hand Changes
Funky, Soulful,
Fast, Sexy
Same as WCS 
 Jive
Descendant
of Lindy Hop
North America
1950's
 High
Big Band,
Rockabilly
Circular, High Knees
Vertical pulse
Rocksteps & Triple steps
Bouncy, Fast
Precise,
Aggressive
More dressy
More ladieswear  
skirts & heels 
Descendant
of Lindy Hop
France, UK
1980's
 Low
Pop, Dance,
R&B
Circular
Single Steps
Simple Patterns
Fast, Smooth,
Dips & Tricks 
Same as WCS 
Salsa
Latin Street
dance
Central/South
America.
Current form:
1960's
 Low
Latin,
Salsa
Circular
Cuban Motion (hips)
Triple Steps 
Spins & Hand changes
Fast, Sexy,
Dips & Tricks 
Dressy-Casual
More ladies wear 
skirts & heels 
Collection of
borrowed
dances 
North America
1980's
depends on
the dance
Country
Western
Patterns and lines,
less on musical
interpretation & groove
Cute, Sharper,
Relaxed 
Some casual,
some dress in
Country
Western attire 
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What is West Coast Swing?
Why learn West Coast Swing?
How WCS compares to other dances
It's NOT a ballroom dance!
It's not like disco! 
It's not even close to square dancing
welcome  |  the dance  |  the history  |  the dance community  |  the sources  |  FAQ's  |  contact
 
Copyright 2006 Canadian Swing  |  web design by Tessa Cunningham
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