What is West Coast Swing?
West Coast Swing is
a grandchild of the popular "Jitterbug", also known as
the "East Coast Swing" and "Lindy", of the 1930's and
1940's. In the 1950's, when dancing was very popular, and
dance floor space was at a premium, Southern California
dancers refined their dancing to dance in what is called
a "dance slot", as opposed to dancing in a small circle.
The "slot" method
allows more dance partners on a dance floor than that of
the East Coast, Lindy, and Jitterbug swing varieties.
Since it was
invented on the West Coast, it became known as "West
Coast Swing" or WCS for short. In the 1990's West Coast
Swing was adopted by California as the "California State
Dance".
West Coast Swing is
danced to blues, funk, Hip Hop, and R&B music, it is danced to a
slower beat than that danced by the other swing dances of
East Coast Swing, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and
others. Besides the music indicated above, WCS
can also be danced to Foxtrot, Cha and other 4:4
timed music between 100 & 120-130 Beats Per Minute (BPM).
There are basic
patterns with quick turns and spins, but as the dancers
improve, they are able to improvise and syncopate to the
music so that what you see is a sexy, smooth dance, that
is timed to the beat, lyrics, or various instruments of
the music being played. Once you see West Coast Swing,
you've got to learn it.
Come out and dance !!
Carrie Lucas & Michael Davis WCS Dance Video