Swing dance – The Lindy Hop
The Lindy hop is a social partnered dance born of the new sound of the Big Bands popularised in Harlem at the end of the 1920’s in the famous Savoy Ballroom. It has a relatively simple and malleable form, which allows for a great deal of improvisation, rhythmic variations and self-expression of both partners.
“20 Original Lindy hoppers any beginner dancers should know” by Bobby White
Swing dance – Balboa
Balboa is a partnered social dance originating in California in the 1920s and danced on Big Band music. In its purer form, it can be characterized by an upright posture and an intimate and elegant style, taking very little space on the dance floor. The dancer’s creativity is expressed more particularly in complex leg play and footwork. (see LA Swing, Bal Swing, Pure Bal for designations of different styles regrouped today under the generic name Balboa)
The “Venice Beach clip”
Blues dances
The Blues, in addition to being the most widely known form of Black music, is also the dance expression of everyday life. It affirms joy in the face of adversity, a dignified demonstration of human resilience. A myriad of stylistic variations exist, such as the Savoy walk, the slow drag, the Texas Shuffle or even the Piedmont triple; these social dances are highly improvisational and rely on the expression of rhythmn between partners.
Juke Joint Blues Dance ~ “The Blood of Jesus”, 1941
Tap dance
Tap is a percussive and rhythmical dance in which dancers wears shoes with metal heel and toe. Rhythm Tap is considered to be part of the african-american jazz lineage due to its syncopated rhythms. The Hoofin’ style describes dancing where the performers keeps their feet close to the floor.
Now offering tap classes for KIDS too!