Dance Styles: West Coast Swing

danceclu — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:26:50 +0000

What is West Coast Swing

• 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!

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

Join our Facebook Group:

West Coast Swing Dance Ireland

Where can I learn?

West Coast Swing in Republic of Ireland

8-Week Course in Beginner West Coast Swing (coming soon)
Start Date: TBC
Venue: TBC (Dublin City Centre)
Cost: €100 per person (40% discount on groups of 5+ people)
Teacher Alan Doyle (The only GSDTA Teacher in Republic of Ireland)

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