Non-Swing Content Swing Content Characteristics of the 3 Most Popular Swing Dances at The US Open
Any identifiable dance other than swing: Identifiable Swing Dances: West Coast Swing: • American and International Ballroom While there is collegial disagreement about the exact • Action/Reaction Latin and Smooth including not limited number, most swing professionals agree there are • Anchors-- 2 beat pattern ends a pattern to: Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Paso Doble, well over 20 different swing dances: • Compression Rhumba, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz • Connection • Ballet • Balboa, Bal Swing, Big Apple, Little Apple, • Elasticity • Ballroom Smooth & Latin Boogie Woogie, Bop, Carolina Shag, • Leverage • Ceroc Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Country • Resistance • Country Two-Step Western Swing, Dallas Push, DC • Stretch • Hip Hop (Washington) Hand Dancing, Double Time • Danced in a shared slot • Hustle Swing, East Coast Swing, Houston Whip, • Follower walks forward on 1-2 • Night Club Two-Step Jitterbug, Jive/Skip Jive, Lindy (Flying Lindy • The Leader primarily stays in the middle of • Tango including “Hollywood” and “Savoy” styles), the slot and the Follower travels back and • Waltz Pony Swing, Rockabilly, Shim Sham, Single forth. However, for presentation purposes, Time Swing, St. Louis Imperial Swing, West • Zouk Leaders may bend and scroll the slot but Coast Swing Floor Work: there should be some evidence of the
• Any part of the body part, other than a basic- foundation throughout the routine • Swing has a foundation of 6-beat and 8-beat foot, contacts with the floor: head, • Pulse (accent) on the Upbeat (2,4,6,8). patterns that incorporate a wide variety of shoulders, arms, hands, ribs, back, rhythms built on 2-beat single, delayed, chest, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, Carolina Shag: double, triple, and blank rhythm units. etc. • The “Accordion” small and large. Couples
Spins: move toward each other and away • The 6-beat patterns include, but are not • coffee grinder • Connection is light limited to passes, push-breaks, open-to- • excessive spin sequences • Danced in a slot closed, and closed-to-open position, tuck • one footed spin • Feet massage the floor and turn and underarm turn patterns. Tricks: • Hand movement is still. Exception:
• Acrobatic moves: cartwheels, Hands/arms can move in a choreographed • The 8-beat patterns include, but are not somersaults routine limited to, whips, swing-outs, Lindy circles, • Aerials (air steps} • Mirror Steps (in front of each other) and Shag pivots. • Drags/Pushes • Patterns are called out while dancing
Non-Swing Content (cont’d) Swing Content (cont’d) Characteristics of the 3 Most Popular Swing Dances at The US Open (cont’d)
Tricks (cont’d): • 2- beat and 4-beat extension rhythm breaks Carolina Shag (cont’d): • Drops may be incorporated to extend a pattern, to • Pivot. 8-beat pattern (toes go where nose • Lifts phrase the music, and/or to accent breaks. goes, or feet go where head goes), fast • Splits circular motion. Ballet Moves: • It is recommended although not mandatory • Most patterns start with a back-together- • Arabesque that competitors choose music with a swung back (preferred movement) however, there • Battlement – bat-mahn rhythm or music that is strongly rhythmic to are times dancers begin a step out of the • Attitude support and encourage a higher “swing middle of a Pivot or after spins. • Etc. content percentage.” • Side by side moves (steps match). Ceroc/Modern Jive: • Upper body is still while action is in smooth • Recommend 4/4 Time • Repetitive Walking footwork. No head movement. Contemporary/Modern Dance: • It is common for dancers to look down. • Interpretative moves/Lyrical Tutting: Lindy Hop: • Hand/finger dancing • Aerials Voguing: • Back flips • Posing • Circular Dance Zouk: • Matched footwork • Excessive head rolls, split weight • Rock Step Shine Steps
• Knee Slaps
• Suzi Q’s • Truckins • Twists • Shorty George • Swing Out
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Contributors: Antonacci, Casanova, Lindo, Norris Page 1 of 2 March 1, 2019