Swing dancing was developed in America, and is also known as the Jitterbug. There was actually a dance scene to a song called The Jitterbug that was cut out of the movie The Wizard of Oz. One line remains in the movie where the Wicked Witch says, "I've sent a little insect on ahead to take the fight out of them." Dorothy and friends get bitten and dance themselves to exhaustion singing, "Keep away from The Jitterbug!" This dance occurred just before the flying monkeys arrive to attack the little group.
Professional dance organizations looked down upon swing dancing, which was derived from the Lindy Hop, and called it a "fad that wouldn't last through the winter." They even went so far to say that the kids who danced it were "victims of economic instability." But the dance continued to grow in popularity until the organizations could no longer ignore it. And they accepted it--but on their terms.
Because they weren't able to conquer the Lindy Hop, the professional dance organizations invented their own version. And in 1942 they went public with their dance . They simplified the steps and combined it with some elements of the Foxtrot to make it more flexible and to reduce the amount of space needed to dance it. But even though the substantially change the dance they kept
Professional dance organizations looked down upon swing dancing, which was derived from the Lindy Hop, and called it a "fad that wouldn't last through the winter." They even went so far to say that the kids who danced it were "victims of economic instability." But the dance continued to grow in popularity until the organizations could no longer ignore it. And they accepted it--but on their terms.
Because they weren't able to conquer the Lindy Hop, the professional dance organizations invented their own version. And in 1942 they went public with their dance . They simplified the steps and combined it with some elements of the Foxtrot to make it more flexible and to reduce the amount of space needed to dance it. But even though the substantially change the dance they kept
the name Lindy and Jitterbug because that's what people were willing to pay for.
The refined version that the professional dance organizations created was eventually called the East Coast Swing when the terms Swing and Jitterbug became too generic and the "West Coast Swing" emerged. Some people retort that the soul of the dance was removed when it became formal; however, the soul of a dance is what you put into it.
The East Coast Swing starts on the downbeat. There are single step versions or triple step versions. But the triple-step version is actually easier to learn because it keeps the feet moving. But whatever version you choose, you will be dancing a part of history.
About the Author:
The refined version that the professional dance organizations created was eventually called the East Coast Swing when the terms Swing and Jitterbug became too generic and the "West Coast Swing" emerged. Some people retort that the soul of the dance was removed when it became formal; however, the soul of a dance is what you put into it.
The East Coast Swing starts on the downbeat. There are single step versions or triple step versions. But the triple-step version is actually easier to learn because it keeps the feet moving. But whatever version you choose, you will be dancing a part of history.
About the Author:
Tony and Melanie have been choreographing, educating, performing and composing amazing choreography for over 30 years. The own NYC's premier dance center If you want to know more history of any dances make sure you check out their website. They are now teachingdance lessons in NYC. This article, History of the East Coast Swing is available for free reprint.