top of page
DANCE STYLES
some of the most popular fast (and slow) dances
Jazz and Swing
Jazz is an umbrella term for many related dances, similar to Swing, and includes both partner and solo dancing. Jazz was born from the African-American vernacular styles of dance in the early 20th century.
Jazz Explained
Jazz Timeline
American dancers in 1914, jazz dance in a black club with Kid Ory's 'Ballin' the Jack'
Play Video
Lindy and Jitterbug
Watch Now
Lindy Hop and Jitterbug
Origin: 1920's Harlem, New York City.
Official state dance of New York.
Swing History 101: The Birth of Lindy Hop
Just the Swing: Lindy Hop, Jitterbug Dancing
West Coast Swing
Official state dance of California. Click here to read about West Coast Swing and its offshoots the Whip
and Push, DC Hand Dancing, Bop, Beach Bop, Balboa/Bal Swing and Imperial Swing.
West Coast Swing
Watch Now
UK 2018 Ballroom Final Solo Dance
Play Video
Ballroom
Ballroom began as social dancing for the elite. The earliest recorded ballroom dances were in 16th century France. Learn more about the history of ballroom in this article.
Latin/Rhythm
Among the Latin dances are salsa, cha-cha-cha, merengue, pasa doble, rumba and bachata. This article from Arthur Murray explains the origins of latin dance.
https://arthurmurraystudios.com/the-origins-of-latin-dance/
Evolution of Latin Dance
Play Video
bluesSHOUT! 2018 All Star Strictly Finals
Play Video
Blues
Originally, African-American vernacular dances that were danced to blues music. Modern blues dance is an offshoot of Lindy Hop.
Click here for a description of blues dance styles.
Carolina Shag
Originated in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The official state dance of South Carolina and state popular dance of North Carolina.
Myths and Near Myths of Beach Music and Shag
Carolina Shag History
Charlie and Jackie Womble
SOS The Society of Stranders
Carolina Shag
Watch Now
East Coast Swing
Watch Now
East Coast Swing
A "refined" version of the Lindy Hop/Jitterbug taught by the ballroom associations in the 40's and 50's.
East Coast Swing Dance Facts
East Coast Swing Music
East Coast Swing Overview
Country Western
Texas two-step is the state dance of Texas. Many other dances are included in Country Western along with the two-step - western swing, polka, line dance, and schottische are some examples. Country western dancing is known as "kicker dancing" in Texas. Read more about the history of Country Western dancing.
Country Western
Watch Now
Line Dance
Watch Now
Line Dance
Line dancing is non-partner dancing with lively footwork. Dancers face in the same direction and perform the same set of steps in repetitions. Read about the timeline of line dance history and the evolution of line dance. See line dance sheet instructions from 1968 to present and current line dance events from around the world.
Hustle
The Hustle gained popularity in the mid-'70s in New York discos. There is a partner dance called the Hustle and also a line dance by the same name.
What is the Hustle?
History of the Hustle
Hustle
Watch Now
bottom of page