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 it ‘Irish Smooth Swing’.

The patterns in Irish Smooth Swing are similar to West Coast Swing but the following major differences:
- The Rhythm Pattern is Double Double (you step on every beat – there is no triple rhythm)
- There are no syncopations
- There is no anchor
- There is no elastic stretch.
- On beats 1&2 of every pattern; The man does a rock step and the lady does a check drive.

Irish Smooth Swing has 6&8 beat patterns

The simplicity of the dance allows students to concentrate on Centering, Movement, Position Changes, Count and Feeling the Music rather than concentrating on Foot Patterns.

It’s great for Cruises, Weddings, School Classes, or any other social situation where you need or want easy, quick and FUN dancing.

It is a dance that EVERY student wherever possible should know going on to other more complicated RHYTHM dances. It makes the dancer comfortable in any social situation and also teaches a variety of partner moves that support future learning.

This is one dance that could probably make you the “Life of the Party”. As a man, it is easy to lead non-dancers into this dance, simply be letting them march in place. It prepares you for various directions that are used in other dances. Most of all it is a FUN dance that is EASY to learn. It is also a wonderful way to get introduced to partner dancing.

Source: www.swingworld.com

Irish Smooth Swing is taught as a foundation dance and teaches a lot of techniques used in West Coast Swing and uses simlar but simplified footwork.

Learning Irish Smooth Swing is also a great way to socialise, meet new people, have fun and keep fit —and all whilst learning to dance

* No partner required
* Great social night out
* A great way to improve both physical and mental health

Irish Smooth Swing 8-Week Course

Start Date: TBC
Venue: TBC (Dublin City Centre)
Cost: €100 per person (40% discount on groups of 5+ people)
Teacher Alan Doyle (The only LeRoc & GSDTA Trained Teacher in Republic of Ireland)

Contact alan@danceclub.ie or 085-8434071 for more information

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 rather than concentrating on Foot Patterns.

This dance takes on the look of whatever music is being played. It’s great for Cruises, Weddings, School Classes, or any other social situation where you need or want easy, quick and FUN dancing.

It is a dance that EVERY student wherever possible should know going on to other more complicated RHYTHM dances. It makes the dancer comfortable in any social situation and also teaches a variety of partner moves that support future learning.

This is one dance that could probably make you the “Life of the Party”. As a man, it is easy to lead non-dancers into this dance, simply be letting them march in place. It prepares you for various directions that are used in other dances. Most of all it is a FUN dance that is EASY to learn. It is also a wonderful way to get introduced to partner dancing.

Source: www.swingworld.com

Rope Hustle is a foundation dance and teaches a lot of techniques used in more complicated dances like Rock n Roll/Jive (AKA East Coast Swing) and Jump Swing, which have similar patterns but have more emphasis on more complicated rhythms.

Learning Rope Hustle is also a great way to socialise, meet new people, have fun and keep fit —and all whilst learning to dance

* No partner required
* Great social night out
* A great way to improve both physical and mental health

Contact alan@danceclub.ie or 085-8434071 for more information

Clips

• East Coast Swing was derived from the Jitterbug, which grew out of the dance halls of Harlem during the 1920’s. Essentially, the terms East Coast Swing and Jitterbug are synonymous.
• East Coast Swing (6-Count) is intermixable with all forms of swing dancing, though primarily with Lindy Hop
• East Coast Swing is a circular, rotating swing dance that has many wraps, tunnels, and turns.
• The music is diverse and includes oldies (Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry), jump blues, country, big band, and top 40.
• East Coast Swing is a versatile dance suitable for both the ballroom and the bar room.
• With a wide range of music to choose from you can swing to almost anything.
• Swing music is written in 4/4 time with a tempo of 140-175 beats per minute. Since this is a quick dance, the steps should be small and light.
• You can’t go wrong with jukebox tunes from Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry.

What’s the difference between East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop Swing?

• East Coast Swing, also known as triple step swing, triple timing swing, and jitterbug, has a basic count of 12, 3&4, 5&6. Some folks describe the basic as “rock step, triple step, triple step.” The dance uses 6 and 8 count patterns. It was the standard swing dance of 50′s-era “sock hops.” The music speed is 140-175 beats per minute. This dance has lilt (bounce) and energy. It is generally danced without strict regard to any particular orientation or geometry. It’s easy to learn.

• West Coast Swing is danced in a slot (a linear pattern) to slower music (generally 110-130 beats per minute). It’s a smooth, often sexy dance, and it does not have lilt and bounce. West coast swing dancers consider their dance to be “cooler,” more chic, more sophisticated, and less barbaric than east coast swing. West coast swing can be more difficult to learn because several foot patterns are required and the patterns may contain 6, 8, and 10 or more counts. West coast swing requires a very good sense of timing and connection.

• Lindy Hop Swing is the current rage with young people. Lindy hop swing can involve lots of kicks and aerials (lifts and flips). The dance uses 6 and 8 count patterns. Common figures include the “swing out,” and the Charleston step.

Single Swing (AKA Rock n Roll/Jive)

• 6-Beat Rhythm: Double, Single, Single
• 8-Beat Rhythm: Double, Single, Double, Single

Single Swing is danced with “Single Rhythm”

6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”, “Side Hold”. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Single, Single.

8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”, “Rock Step”, “Side Hold”. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Single, Double, Single

This version is usually danced to very fast music and in this form it is sometimes called Jive, Single Swing, Jitterbug, or (in Europe mostly) Rock-n-Roll.

Single Swing Clip

Triple Swing (Similar to International Jive)

• 6-Beat Rhythm: Double, Triple, Triple
• 8-Beat Rhythm: Double, Triple, Double, Triple

Triple Swing is danced with Triple Rhythm

6-Count Basic can be danced again with the “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the left for the man and then a “triple” to the right. The 6-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Triple, Triple.

8-Count Basic can be danced again with “Rock Step” but the dance now has the timing of “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the left for the man and then a “Rock Step”, followed by a “triple” to the right for the man. The 8-Count Rhythm Pattern is: Double, Triple, Double, Triple

It is in this form that the East Coast Swing most resembles the structure of the International Style Jive.

Addition of rotation, underarm turns and changing hand leads create a fun, fast moving and elaborate looking dance even without the addition of other rhythms.

Triple Swing Clip

The reasons to choose different footwork are as follows:

• Learning: Beginning dancers can do simple steps easily, but they may struggle with more complex footwork. Advanced dancers may enjoy more complex footwork.
• Tempo: Simpler footwork, such as steps and holds, are easier to do to fast music. Complex footwork makes slow music more interesting.
• Musicality: If the music has very simple rhythm, then kick steps work well. If the music has a more complex rhythm, then triple steps work well. If the music pauses (breaks) then holds work well.
• Variety: It is nice to vary the dance form, so if you use one kind of footwork for a while, you might want to try another form for a while.

East Coast Swing (AKA Rock n Roll/Jive) 8-Week Course

Start Date: TBC
Venue: TBC (Dublin City Centre)
Cost: €100 per person (40% discount on groups of 5+ people)
Teacher: Alan Doyle (The only LeRoc & GSDTA Trained Teacher in Republic of Ireland)

Contact: alan@danceclub.ie or 085-8434071 for more information