The Swing.

The development of the Swing is truly diverse. Today the Swing has many forms and variations. Swing mentioned to one person could mean Jive to another!

The origin of Swing dancing goes back to the 1920's where the Charleston and Lindy Hop started developing. Of interest the Lindy Hop was named by a dance enthusiast George Snowden. While watching some dancers he was asked what dance they were doing. He just happened to glance at a newspaper where he say the headline 'Lindy Hops the Atlantic' referring to the renowned aviator Charles Lindberg. His reply was 'The Lindy Hop'. Thus the Lindy Hop version of Swing was born. Later another version called the Jitterbug developed. Throughout the 20's, 30's and into the forties these were the major forms of Swing dances.

These dances spread across the country and as they did they seemed to take on a different flavor in various parts of the country.

As music changed up through the 1990's swing dances evolved to keep in pace with Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Disco and more.

In the 1940's the Arthur Murray studios across the country started documenting what they were seeing in various parts of the country. This lead to the development of East and West Coast swing programs for the general public to learn.

Today there are many forms of swing. Swing dancing is popular in all its' varieties. In competition what has come to be know as East Coast Swing is used in the American Style of dance. Jive is the competition version for International Style competitions.