Are you ready to be cool? If so, the Swing is a “must learn” dance. From its origin (as the Lindy Hop) in 1927, the Lindy Hop paved the way for many more swing-style dances which developed, including the American Swing, Boogie-Woogie, Hustle, Jitterbug, Jive, Rock and Roll, and West Coast Swing. With post-war exuberance filling the air, it wasn’t long before youthful energy was unleashed on the streets...dancing!
Characterized by jumps, spins, turns and throw-outs, the Lindy was seen on dance floors all across America. Today, the Lindy has undergone many alterations and has been toned down and incorporated into a ballroom format known most commonly as the Swing.
Wouldn't it be nice to take your date to dinner at a nightclub with a live orchestra made just for ballroom dancing. Today, Television,Movies and Computers have replaced the nightclub/dance hall as entertainment. What a Shame!
Below is the Coconut Grove nightclub, inside the Ambassador Hotel. The Los Angeles landmark was torn down a few years ago. Gone, but not forgotten.
Below Maryiln Monroe and Joe Dimaggio at NYC's Stork Club.
Too cute Carole Lombard and William Powell at Ciro's in Hollywood,CA below:
Check out this video.
John Wayne doing the Jitterbug
Are you inspired? Does it look like fun? If you want to learn to swing, but are too shy, grab a partner and learn in the comfort of your home. A good place to show off your dancing skills is at a wedding reception. That is the only place that I have Swing danced. My ex-father inlaw took me for a spin around the dance floor and I had no clue how to do it. I decided then, if I was ever going to dance again,I would take lessons. One divorce later, it would be nice to have a partner interested in Swing Dancing.
Check out these links:
http://www.dancetv.com/tutorial/index.html
http://www.swingdanceshop.com/invid.html
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