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 © 2019, All information contained herein is the sole property of US Open Swing Dance Championships, INC US Open Swing Dance Championships, INC reserves all rights and privileges regarding the use of this information. Any unauthorized use, such as distributing, copying, modifying, or reprinting, is not permitted. This document is not intended for reproduction or distribution outside of US Open Swing Dance Championships, INC. To obtain permission to reproduce or distribute this document contact [email protected] for information about Reprint Services. Contributors: Antonacci, Casanova, Lindo, Norris Page 1 of 2 March 1, 2019 .