Bozeman Swing

Swing dancing is many things including historical, vintage, modern, multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and diffently joyful. It is also an umbrella term for many different dances.

​

Swing dancing origins come from many traditions and was heavily influenced by Afro-Americans in Harlem at the beginnings of Jazz music age. Some of the first jazz dances include the Turkey Trot, the Charleston, the Black Bottom, the Shag, and the Texas Tommy (and so many more). It was the Lindy Hop that really changed the game in the dancing world though. It added new elements and combined ideas from other dances to make it unique and fit the amazing new swing music playing everywhere. Lindy Hop in the old movies, like Hellzapoppin', Day At The Races, and a fun movie short Groove Movie, are amazing. These clips show how flashy and fast paced Lindy Hop can be. 

​

However, social Lindy Hop has many flavors to it. It can be a slow, mid, or fast tempo dance. It can be silly, chill, or sensational. In fact, one of the best aspects of Lindy Hop is just how versatile it is. It is because of it's versatility that Lindy Hop is so fun. The same can be said of many of the swing styles of dance. They all have some pretty great variability that helps them match the mood of the dancer and the music playing.

Something especially wonderful about all styles of Vintage swing are that they are what we call 'alive' dances. They are still continuing to develop and people are still finding new and unique ways to express these dances while honoring the historical foundations that they came from. Pretty cool really! We think that is what makes these dances have world-wide appeal. Our focus is on the dances of Lindy Hop, Balboa, Bal-Swing, Charleston, and Collegiate Shag. We think you should check out some videos and then hop on over the class or dances and come join us.