There are about five basic styles of swing dancing. The most popular these days is likely to be Lindy Hop. It was also the first swing dance and one of the only dances on this website that originated in the United States. Other forms of swing dancing include East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, and the Hustle.

Lindy Hop is traditionally done to big band swing tunes from the 20's, 30's, and 40's.

East Coast Swing was created for Rock n' Roll music like Elvis' All Shook Up or Swingin' Blues music like Sweet Home Chicago is fun for ECS.

West Coast Swing was created to dance to slower swingin' blues music like B.B. King's Blues in G.

Shim Sham a swing line dance that gets a whole group dancing simultaneously!

Carolina Shag is done to a southern rock and swing mixture style of music.

Hustle is known for the Disco music like Night Fever and Ladies Night, it can also be danced to many of today's contemporary pop tunes like J. Lo's Waiting for Tonight.

Collegiate Shag music has the sound of early swing from around the 1920's.

Balboa is typically done to faster tempos of swing music from the 1920's-1940's.

Swing, specifically Lindy Hop was a very big part of the U.S. culture in the 30's and 40's and enjoyed a great resurgence in the mid-90's. East Coast Swing is what everyone did in the 50's and 60's, they called it Jitterbug or G.I. back then.

Where to dance Swing? Most major cities have clubs and studios that offer swing nights. Many of the big cities have more than one swing night per week. Check out our dance finder feature to find a swing dance near you.

Origination Location -

Lindy Hop originated in New York City.

East Coast Swing began in the late 40's and early 50's as music started to move toward Rock n' Roll.

West Coast Swing

Carolina Shag

Hustle

Collegiate Shag

Balboa

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