The history of swing dancing begins in the early 1920s, in the smoky jazz clubs of Harlem. It was here that the origins of this form of dance began to take shape. The swing craze and popularity of jazz spread throughout the nation, quickly finding its place in mainstream society. In 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened to much fanfare and welcomed dancers to its spacious dance floor. The Lindy Hop as it is now known was born at the Savoy and named by a man named Shorty George Snowden. Snowden was asked what the name of the dance taking place on the dance floor was, at which time he made up the name the Lindy Hop. Legend has it that he got the name from a newspaper headline about Charles Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic.
In the 1930s the world was introduced to the dance known as the Jitterbug, named after a piece of Cab Calloway music. Eventually the dancers themselves were known as Jitterbugs. Band leader Benny Goodman was big during this era, and held his position as a leader in the world of upbeat jazz music which provided a perfect backdrop for the enthusiastic form of dance known as swing. Although swing dance was huge in the 30s, it was not until the 40s that official swing dance schools and serious competitions were established.
After all, throughout the 30s, this style of dance was thought of as a rebellious expression practiced by degenerate members of society. The president of the Dance Teachers Business Association made this very observation, while the president of the American Society of Teachers of Dancing predicted the trend would soon die out. As swing continued to thrive, these associations grudgingly began to accept this form of dance and agreed that the energetic cavorting could be restrained to suit the average dance floor.
From the 1940s to the present day, the history of swing dancing has been one that has changed to suit the preferences of the dancers themselves. For example, there are numerous varieties of swing which evolved from the original version. There is Western swing, Carolina shag, 50s rock and roll style swing and many more. What’s interesting is that even in today’s modern society, most swing dancers are unfamiliar with other variations of the dance outside their own locality. This means that many Carolina Shag dancers, for example, may not be familiar with the Savoy form of swing and vice versa. The Internet is changing all this, however, bringing swing dancers of all styles together on the World Wide Web. Swing dancing shows no signs of impending extinction, and is in fact becoming more popular than ever!
Swing Dancing Shoes — What You Should Know
One of the hottest trends in dance classes and clubs is that of swing dancing. If you’re planning to try this type of dance for yourself, you will need a good pair of swing dancing shoes. While you could wear a regular pair of shoes, it’s not recommended. Dance shoes are designed for just that, dance. The soles are made to be non-slip and there is often more arch support than you’ll find with your everyday shoes. When shopping for dance shoes, you’ll find they come in a variety of fashionable styles and colors.
Because swing dancing first originated in the 1920s and spanned through the 1940s in its heyday, you will want shoes that reflect that time period. Costume is often one of the most enjoyable parts of swing dancing. Think snazzy pinstripe suits, wide leg trousers and old-school sailor hats for guys and flirty trumpet style skirts, retro shirt dresses and red lipstick for ladies. When it comes to shoes, wingtips and cap toe styles are perfect for guys and girls look great in Mary Janes. There are a variety of specialty stores that sell these types of shoes especially made to be comfortable and supportive for dancers.
Newbies to this style of dance may be unfamiliar with the different styles of shoes available. Wingtips, for example, are shoes most often worn by men that feature a W-shaped adornment at the toe which resembles a wing. Captoes are shoes most often worn by men that feature a cap adornment at the toe. The names of these shoes describe their distinguishing features quite well. Mary Janes are retro-style ladies’ shoes which feature rounded toes and a strap across the top of the foot to hold the shoe in place. Some women prefer a pump style shoe, which is a slip on style with a low to high heel and a closed toe that can be rounded, squared or pointed.
One of the premier companies for swing dancing shoes is THANKS EXPORTS. If you want sneakers for dance practice, the Thanks Exports company makes a variety of dance sneakers in fashionable colors and styles for both men and women. The shoes sold by this company are designed by swing dancers for swing dancers, so you know you’re getting a quality product especially created for your needs. With a good pair of shoes, you’ll be able to dance the night away in comfort and style!
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