How much do you know about the ever-popular Swing dance? Did you know that there are more than 25 variations of Swing dancing? If not, read on for a short history of the development of a timeless and universal dance, known as the Swing.

Swing dancing emerged from the 1920’s through the 1950’s in African American communities during the evolution of Jazz music. The Charleston and Lindy Hop which came from Harlem, New York in the 1920’s are two of the key Swing dances. Due to the mixing of African cultural dances with various ballroom dances, the music of the day and Swing dancing began to grow even though most of the dance world assumed the Lindy Hop was a passing fad that would never last.

Instead, Swing dancing grew as those who did it developed even more styles like the Shag, Balboa, West Coast Swing and Jive. In the 1930’s, a Swing dance variation called  the “Jitterbug” and a brand new song called the “Jitter Bug” catapulted Jitterbug and other forms of Swing dancing into the limelight!

Later, when the Lindy Hop was “refined” and standardized for easier instruction at dance schools, it got a new name, the East Coast Swing.

Around the same time on the opposite coast in California, a smoother style of Lindy Hop called “Smooth Lindy” was created by a man originally from Harlem, NY, Dean Colllins. This fluid and slower style of Swing caught on very quickly and was called the West Coast. As the dance grew in popularity, West Coast was slated the official state dance and was re-named as the “West Coast Swing”. Not so surprisingly, the West Coast Swing continues be the official state dance of California to this day.

In 2005, USA Today stated that “ballroom dancing, as a media phenomenon, sport, hobby and business, is enjoying its biggest resurgence since the 1940s”.  That is surprising since it seems that a year after Swing was born, it should have been the peak of its popularity, especially because of Swing dancing’s numerous benefits! Yet, we here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona know this trend to learn to dance Swing, and many other styles of social ballroom dancing, is still going strong. Swing dancing in particular is highly popular throughout the United States and is a staple here in Arizona.

Swing dancing attracts students both young and old to our studio everyday. YOU too can learn how to dance Swing! Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona offers the most popular social Swing dances including East Coast Swing, Jitterbug and West Coast Swing. These are the dances you see everywhere in Arizona happening at Country bars, weddings and social dance events.

If you haven’t tried to Swing dance yet, book an appointment with one of our talented instructors using Dance FX Studios’ New Student Offer. What are you waiting for? It’s time for you to take dance lessons and Swing, Swing, Swing!!!