WEst Coast Swing
Smooth. Sultry. Modern.
West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing is a smooth, modern swing dance with roots in Lindy Hop. It is danced to almost every kind of music including R&B, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Blues. It is a partner dance of personal expression for both lead and follow, allowing you to style it funky, jazzy, slinky, or swingin’. Known for its fun rhythm changes and improvisation, this is a great dance to have in your social repertoire.
A Brief History: West Coast Swing
Origins (1930s–40s): Emerging from Lindy Hop, the dance traveled to Southern California, where it evolved into a smooth, linear “slot” style suited to crowded floors and film.
Influential Figures: Dancer and choreographer Dean Collins helped shape the refined look of the dance, then known as Sophisticated Swing or Western Swing.
Name Evolution: Once called Western Swing or Jitterbug, the term West Coast Swing first appeared in writing around 1961 and became widely used by the mid-1960s to distinguish it from East Coast styles.
Development (1950s–70s): The dance continued to grow, blending influences from Rock and Roll, Hustle, and Funk.
Modern Era: Recognized for its signature elastic connection and improvisational feel, West Coast Swing is now danced to a broad range of music—from blues and pop to contemporary hip-hop.
