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Lindy Hop is a fusion of many dances from all over the U.S. from the early 1900s, but mainly the Charleston. Lindy hop combines the movements and improvization of African dances with the formal 8-count structure of European dances. African dances usually separate the men from the women. Europeans invented partner dancing.
Lindy Hop is a dance where people get out and do it, socially, in performances, or in competitions.
The point of social dancing is to get out, meet people, and have fun. Although the usual lead and follow rituals are often observed, at contemorary swing dances, men and women ask each other and either partner can lead. Leading and following is an art. Some people talk to each other about the moves they are about to do. Frankie Manning ( NCLS workshop, 2003) stated that he always talks with each partner about which moves she knows.
Dancers at social events usually have a wide range of skill levels, so cooperating with one's partner matters as much as dancing skill. Dancing with a new partner is a study in flexibility and calibration. What can the new partner do? What are his or her limitations? What does he or she like to do? Dancing with a regular partner is an opportunity to play and catch up on news. Dancing with beginners is an opportunity to practice the basic moves. Dancing with advanced dancers is an opportunity to try difficult and unusual moves, and to improvise.
Social dancing has the normal characteristics of every social scene. Dancers have every kind of personality from friendly to ornery. Dancers have friends and strangers. Cliques have insiders and outsiders. There are dance snobs who refuse to dance with beginners. But in general, on the dance floor, social status matters less than dance skill. Newcomers are welcome to come, dance, and meet people.
Some dancers dress in vintage clothing from the 1920s, 1930s, or 1940s. Some dancers dress in their best formal clothing. Other dancers wear jeans and t-shirts.
Lindy hop is typically done at social events, bars, clubs, dance studios, or private parties. Most clubs and studios provide lessons for beginners who want to start and for others who want to improve.
Sometimes clubs and events have jam circles, where one person or a small group of people dance, alternating partners, when others steal in. Jam circles often recognize birthdays and special occasions or visitors and other dignitaries.
Social events sometimes have DJs and sometimes have live jazz bands. DJs usually play a spectrum of music from the 1920s to today, but especially big band jazz from the 1930s and 1940s. Bands usually play their standard repetoire.
Lindy Hop is fun to watch. Choreographed routines are performed at clubs, at private parties, on stage, and in movies. Performances are opportunities for dancers to show off their best moves and aerials.
Performance groups include
There are many reasons to perform publicly. Performances are opportunities to work with other excellent dancers and to practice moves that rarely happen while social dancing. And of course, showing off one's skills is always fun.
The two main forms of competition are Jack and Jill competitions and Showcase competitions.
Jack and Jill: Jack and Jill competitions imitate social dancing. Dancers perform 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 different songs. The songs are often 1 to 2 minute clips with different speeds and textures. The songs are usually not announced ahead of time. Sometimes, dancers will have the same partner for all songs, and other times, dancers have a different partner for each dance. Sometimes dancers choose their partners, and other times, dancers are paired randomly. Some clubs (Broadway in San Francisco) hold Jack and Jill competitions about once a month.
Showcase: Showcase competitions are for choreographed performance routines. Showcase competitions are usually done at regional and national events. Showcases can be for pairs or groups.
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