History
Swing dance was discovered by African-Americans during the 1920’s dancing to contemporary jazz music. It got its name “Swing” because the music they danced to was called ‘Swing Jazz’. Slowly, the dance evolved to fit the music and vice versa. Early on, swing came in many different styles, like the Balboa, Lindy Hop, Lindy Charleston and Collegiate Shag. Lindy Hop, also known as ‘jitterbug’ is the most popular one today. A bit of each, however, can be seen mixed in to Lindy Hop. Swing dance became popular very fast. It went through all forms of the media back then beginning in the 1930’s. Today people of all nationalities are still dancing swing dance. There are swing dance socials and a few festivals. Disneyland holds 2 events a year in one of their hotels called “Dapper Days.” During that weekend event, they have a dance class and a little social dancing.
Swing Music:
The band Lizzy and the Triggermen playing a cover to Ella Fitzgerald’s “When I get low, I get high” This video starts with a couple showing an example of how swing can be danced.