Swing dance is an umbrella term for a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s–1950s, with the origins of each dance predating the popular swing era during the Great Depression in the United States. Nowadays, most popular partnered swing dances are Lindy Hop, Charleston, Collegiate Shag and Balboa. Additionally, Charleston can be danced solo as part of the broader dance category; Solo Jazz.
Lindy Hop
Also known as the happiest of all dances, it is characteristic of Lindy Hop to have a therapeutic effect for people dancing it! On contrary to the common belief of the outsider, Lindy Hop can be danced to a wide range of tempos, sometimes being rather smooth and gentle and sometimes full of joy, energy and authentic craziness! 🙂
Slow Tempo Example
Medium Tempo Example
Fast Tempo Example
Charleston
Thinking about the famous twist, wild kicks and elegant style of the 1920s? Yes, you are right! Charleston is a swing dance usually danced to slightly faster tempos. Like all other swing dances, Charleston concentrates on improvisation, effortlessness and musical interpretation of Swing Jazz.
P.S. On the main page of our website, our instructors Teodora and Semih are dancing partnered Charleston 🙂
Solo Jazz
Everything beautiful about swing dancing when it is danced solo could be called Solo Jazz. In Swing Philosophy, our motto for Solo Jazz is:Â Â Â
We dance solo, together!Â
Slow Tempo Example
Fast Tempo Example