Dear Andy,

What style of dance is this would you say? Is this Hustle or something?
[link to a video of swing dancing in Buenos Aires]

Many thanks!

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Believe they call it Rock N Roll in Buenos Aires. It is not exactly like what we do in the US. It is most similar to the East Coast Swing done in the ballroom. Not as improvisitional or fluid as Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing.
Andy

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Dear Andy,

Right, they called it Rock N Roll down there. But I wondered what was the step and how do you learn it? Does anyone in the States teach it? What are the fundamentals? Did they use to teach it in the 50's and then stop? Are there videos on it, etc.?

(I used to do some ECS in ballroom 5 years ago but I don't remember it so well and was never really accomplished at it. I could probably learn it again if I put some work into it.)

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Sure you could learn it, no problem especially with your Tango leading experience. The basic 6-count step is 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, or rock, step, triple step, triple step, which is what the people in BA were doing.

There is also a basic 8-count step is 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, or rock step, triple step, step step, triple step, which matches the music. The 6-count does not match the music.

Improvisation is not taught in ECS. Experienced swing dancers in the US dance West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, not ECS, and improvise as much as Tango dancers and do not stick to the basic step.

The rhythm of the music is 4/4 like Tango, 4 quarter beats to a measure, with accents on 2 and 4, in phrases of 8 beats, with a swing beat on 3 and 4, and again on 7 and 8. The music sounds like: ch boom ch-ch-boom ch boom ch-ch-boom.

>> Did they use to teach it in the 50's and then stop?

Swing dancing started in New York in Harlem in the black community in the late 20s, growing out of other popular dances before it. Swing was originally called Lindy Hop after Charles Linburgh flew across the Atlantic.

The term Swing Dancing came from the Swing music of Benny Goodman and others, to which the Lindy Hop was done.

Lindy Hop eventually became just the Lindy, which is what my parents did.

In the US, there are a few variations of Swing dancing commonly done. Will send you some links.

Here is a link of Lindy Hop at the UTC. Micah was president of UF Swing Club. Hurley is from Orlando and one of the best male Lindy dancers in the state.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwJY-Gl5sGw

Here is a link for West Coast Swing. Patti Jobst is a champion dancer and recently moved to Tampa. We have scheduled her to come to 308 West on June 26 to give a workshop.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E_ikE5GNxI

This Thursday April 14 at 308 West at 8:30, I will be doing a short Swing lesson, followed by a dance. You are invited to my programs for free, so come by if you like.

In May, I am planning to teach Lindy Hop on Sunday nights, from 7 to 8:30 followed by Hustle from 8:30 to 9:30.

For you, the best thing about my classes is that I use the same communication skills in Swing as we use in Tango (the man invites the woman, no pushing and pulling), so it will be easy for you. This is what my book is about.

You are also invited to come to my Hustle class on Sunday nights from 7 to 9 this month. Hustle is most closely related to West Coast Swing, but more movement and exhilirating.

I hold a monthly Swing dance starting with a short lesson at 308 West usually on the first Saturday of the month, but this month it is this Thursday April 14.

Richard usually holds monthly Swing dances at the Boltin Center.

My www.GainesvilleDance.com Swing and Tango newsletter, lists where you can learn Swing dancing.

1. Tuesday night at the Boltin Center, Richard teaches East Coast Swing usually (though this month is Waltz and next month is West Coast Swing).

2. Tuesdays Blues Dancing is kind of like slow motion West Coast Swing, even though they say it isn't.

3. Wednesdays at the Eagles Club, Essie teaches West Coast Swing.

4. Wednesdays the UF Swing Club has a lesson a Ustler Hall.

5. Thursdays at Imperial Dance Studio, Judi teaches West Coast Swing.

6. Fridays at the UTC, the UF Swing Club has a Lindy Hop lesson at 8 followed by dancing until midnight.

7. Imperial Dance Studio also teaches East and West Coast Swing as part of their regular repetoire, with beginners on Mondays, intermediate on Tuesdays and specialty classes on Thursdays.

8. Josh Angel brings in professional West Coast Swing dancers for workshops on occasion. Next one is June 26 at 308 West with Patti Jobst.

Enjoy,
Andy