What is Jump Jive/Swing? Jump Jive/Swing dates back to the late 1990's swing revival in Southern California: Long Beach and Redondo. Originally termed Retro or Jump or Neo Swing, it followed the regional post-punk, post-rockabilly enthusiasm, as many punk bands and mosh pit dancers converted to swing. The original music featured an up-tempo amalgamation of rock, jump blues, piano boogie and big band swing - a strong backbeat is characteristic. Jump Jive/Swing has become popular because of the Movie "Swing Kids" and the Gap Commercial looks like a promo for our GSDTA Curriculum. This new variety of Swing has the flavour ... Read more...

What is Irish Smooth Swing? Irish Smooth Swing is a dance style similar to West Coast Swing. Golden State Dance Teacher Association (GSDTA) Teachers taught a dance form from 1977 through 1980’s under the name 2-Hand Salsa (or Salsa Valiente). By 1995, with the return of the popularity of Salsa Music, 2-Hand Salsa no longer fit the Salsa picture. Skippy Blair changed the name to Melange, meaning a “Mixture of Things” in French. It can resemble Country Swing, Latin or even Hustle. Alan Doyle took elements from Melange, Irish Smooth Jive & West Coast Swing and created a new contemporary dance naming ... Read more...

What is Rope Hustle? Rope Hustle is a style of hustle dance where you step on every beat. Golden State Dance Teacher Association (GSDTA) Teachers taught a dance form from 1977 through 1980’s under the name 2-Hand Salsa (or Salsa Valiente). By 1995, with the return of the popularity of Salsa Music, 2-Hand Salsa no longer fit the Salsa picture. Skippy Blair changed the name to Melange, meaning a “Mixture of Things” in French. It can resemble Country Swing, Latin or even Hustle. The simplicity of the dance allows students to concentrate on Centering, Movement, Position Changes, Count and Feeling the Music ... Read more...