History
The East Coast Swing is a form of social partner dance. It belongs to the group of swing dances. It is danced under fast swing music, including rock and roll and Boogie Woogie. The dance evolved from the Lindy Hip with the work of the Arthur Murray dance studios in the 1940s.
It can be referred to by many different names in different regions of the US and the world. Other variants of the East Coast Swing that use altered footwork forms are known as Single Swing and Double Swing. The name East coast Swing was coined initially to distinguish the dance from the street form and the new variant used in the competitive ballroom arena ( as well as separating the dance from West Coast Swing, which was developed in California). There are six basic counts in the East Coast Swing.
Songs You May Recognize
Swing is a recent dance and songs that are used at practice you will recognize. Some popular songs are listed below. At practices and dances we use a mixture of traditional music as well as modern music.
- Don’t Be Cruel – Elvis
- California Girls – Beach Boys
- Old Time Rock and Roll – Bob Seger