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What is West Coast Swing (GSDTA Curriculum)?

• West Coast Swing is the State Dance of California

History

• West Coast Swing is a contemporary swing dance derived from Lindy Hop. As smoother styles varied throughout the states, West Coast Swing developed in the 1950′s, following the music trend as it veered away from Swing Music.

• WCS is danced to modern pop music – singers like Gaelle, Lisa Shaw, Akon, Justin Timberlake, Duffy, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Brown.

How it works

• West Coast Swing is a smooth partner dance performed to slower tempo music with an emphasis on follower initiated improvisation, tight turns, and rolling footwork. Basic moves include whips and sugar pushes, often stretching into an anchor step.

Why you should West Coast Swing

• This popular modern dance is full of head-turning moves and tricks while intricate footwork adds to the excitement of the dance. If you enjoy modern popular music, smooth dancing, and lower tempos, you should try dancing West Coast Swing!

My West Coast Swing Teacher Training with Skippy Blair

Skippy Blair is the Founder of the Golden State Dance Teachers Association (GSDTA) & Co-Founder & Education Co-ordinator of the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) http://www.swingdancecouncil.com/

After her years of teaching under Arthur Murray in the ’50s, Skippy became extremely influential in the teaching and development of West Coast Swing. The USA’s top performers and competitors study with her to this day. Skippy observed that only 1 in 500 dancers has that natural quality that “simply takes your breath away.” Why? Her continued reflection and analysis of this topic has led her into the very marrow of dance technique. She has develped teaching methods that have enlightened not only the top few of the dance elite, but even the least talented, on whom most instructors would prefer to simply give up. Info at www.swingworld.com

The name “Western Swing” was being used by Arthur Murray for the dance. That Skippy changed it to West Coast Swing is the least of her achievements.

West Coast 101

In an effort to preserve the fundamentals and characteristics of West Coast Swing, the World Swing Dance Council has delved back into formal Pattern Names & Lists, starting in 1952 – and followed the development and evolution up through 2008, in order to be able to sanction 14 Basic Patterns in West Coast Swing. This was necessary in order to present 14 Patterns that could authentically represent the essence of West Coast Swing. We have had numerous requests over the past 18 years to clarify these basics. This is actually timely because of growing requests, not just across our nation, but world-wide, to provide a BASIC LIST that would serve as the 14 required, compulsory, patterns for a new, Fundamental Competition.

Here is the current proposed list for West Coast Swing 101:

1. Triple Rhythm Break & Anchor
2. Left Side Pass
3. Underarm Turn
4. Underarm with Hand Change
5. Right Side Pass
6. Lady’s Right Turn & Pass (Torque Turn)
7. Turning Basic
8. Throw-Out (from closed position)
9. 4-Beat Starter Step
10. Basic Tuck (from closed position)
11. Push Break (Sugar Push)
12. Two Hand Tuck
13. Release Whip (Basic Whip)
14. Closed Whip

Source: http://www.swingworld.com/wcs.htm

Alan Doyle & Bethan Griffiths – West Coast 101: Routine 2

Join our Facebook Group:

West Coast Swing Dance Ireland

Where can I learn?

West Coast Swing in Republic of Ireland

6-Week Course in West Coast Swing & Melange (4-Count Swing) and 1.5 hours of social dancing. For more information click here

Contact: alan@danceclub.ie for more information

Links

West Coast Swing in the UK

http://www.swingbelfast.com

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

http://www.swingderry.com

Location: Derry, Northern Ireland

http://www.westcoastswingbootcamp.co.uk
Location: Brighton

http://www.lerocuk.com
Location: Bristol

http://www.wcsdevon.co.uk
Location: Devon

http://www.swingtastic.org.uk
Location: Edinburgh & Glasgow

http://www.capitaldance.org.uk
Location: Edinburgh & Glasgow

http://www.leroc-scotland.co.uk
Location: Glasgow

http://www.westcos.co.uk
Location: Kent

http://www.wcsleeds.org.uk
Location: Leeds

http://www.djsheepman.blogspot.com
Location: London

http://www.eastonswing.com
Location: London

http://www.swingsters.co.uk
Location: London

http://www.westcoastswing.co.uk

Location: London

http://www.westcoastswinglondon.com
Location: London

http://www.revolutiondance.co.uk
Location: Manchester

http://www.jjkdancin.com
Location: Mildenhall

http://www.smoothjivefusion.co.uk
Location: New Forest

http://www.royaloakswing.co.uk
Location: Northampton

http://www.jiveaddiction.com/cms/
Location: Nottingham

http://www.pulse-dance.co.uk
Location: Nottingham

http://www.westcoastswing-solihull.co.uk
Location: Solihull

http://www.dance-unlimited.org
Location: Surrey

http://www.leroc.biz
Location: Surrey

http://www.morethanmoves.com
Location: Surrey

http://www.uk-jive.co.uk
Location: UK

http://westcoastswinguk.ning.com/
Location: UK

http://www.westcoastswingdn.com

Location: UK

West Coast Swing Clips

Jordan Frisbee (GSDTA) & Tatiana Mollman – Rolling Count

Jordan Frisbee (GSDTA) & Tatiana Mollmann (GSDTA)

Wayne Bott (GSDTA) & Sharlot Bott (GSDTA) – Back to Basics West Coast Swing

Wayne Bott (GSDTA) & Sharlot Bott (GSDTA)

West Coast Swing Dance Workshop Recap – Basics & Beyond

Mario Robau (GSDTA) & Mary Ann Nunez (GSDTA)

Max Pitruzzella & Tessa Cunningham (WCS & Lindy Hop)

Julie Epplett & Mike Topel

Jason Colacino and Katie Boyle

Maxence Martin and Victoria Shanahannon
Go to Youtube