Hello fellow readers,
I want to introduce you to a glorious place known as swing dancing!
I like to think of swing dancing as a way to describe any dance that
can be done to big band/jazz music. I’m sure many of you have seen
La La Land, so you may have an idea, but really, it’s nothing like La
La Land. The music is there and so are some of the solo jazz moves,
but it’s not the same as the community I want to describe to you.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve grown addicted to watching that movie,
but the swing dancing I am referring to is typically: lindy hop,
charleston, [Carolina/Collegiate] shag, and balboa. It is a big and
ever-growing community full of amazing people! For a more
in-depth background on lindy hop, I highly recommend watching
the documentary Alive and Kicking (available on Netflix). I have seen
this documentary so many times that I’m embarrassed to say how
many, but there is so much more information on there than I could
ever write for you, so please go watch it!
If you are a YouTube person there are plenty of videos on all the dances
I have mentioned. I prefer typing “Camp Hollywood” or “Lindyfest” into
the search bar and see a ton of dance videos that range from team
performances to couples competitions. Keep in mind, almost all
competitions are IMPROVISED! Camp Hollywood and Lindyfest are only
a few swing dance weekends out there which are an entire weekend full of
dancing and classes! If you press the link below you will not be
disappointed. It is the “open lindy final” from this year’s Camp Hollywood
that just blew my mind! Please do not try this kind of dancing without
years of dance experience, these people are all professional dancers who
have been competing/dancing/training for years!
Little ol’ me have been dancing lindy hop for 3 years now and have dabbled
in collegiate shag and balboa. I have competed in a few competitions known
as a mix and match (video seen below), which I think of as social dancing
that is judged. To get an idea of what the social dance environment is like, I
suggest visiting my friend Paul who is an amazing person and incredible
dancer who streams swing dancing on his twitch. (He even offers lessons, so
please explore his webpage)
If you would like to discover collegiate shag, I recommend following
@live.collegiate.shag on Instagram! My wonderful friend, Kendall, posts
weekly videos at different locations of collegiate shag and it’s beautiful to
watch!
I have made so many friends through swing dancing, and they are the nicest
people. Being in Southern California, I have been blessed with so many swing
dance venues that are within driving distance where I can take lessons and or
dance with so many friends and strangers! It’s such a great way to socialize
and relieve stress. I have met lawyers, engineers, doctors and people visiting
from other countries, just to name a few. I started learning how to dance from
my college swing dance club, which so many people do not realize exists! If
you're a college student, I suggest checking your school's list of clubs, maybe
there's a club on your campus as well!
Video featured was taken from a recent Mix and Match competition I was in. Location: Pasadena, California.
Video credit: Michael, my boyfriend. Song: Cole Slaw (sorghum switch) by Jesse Stone
No matter where you live, I’m sure you can look up the local swing dance places
and, hopefully, go out and experiment with the dance! Don’t get me wrong, it may
not be for everyone, but I always tell people, “just try it once and see if you like it or
not.” I never judge anyone who dislikes the dance, but I definitely benefited from
joining the community. Granted, starting is the most difficult time because you’re
scared to dance with strangers and don’t feel good enough to get out there (or maybe
it was just me), but once you really get into it, stop over analyzing the dances, and
simply have fun, it’s the best feeling in the world! So look up swing dancing whether
it is videos or venues nearby, and then go out and take a lesson, see if you like it as
much as I do!
Live every day to the fullest.
Love, Damaris
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