The East Coast Swing lesson Monique & I were going to teach in our next monthly dance on December 2nd has evolved into full Lindy Hop swing out instruction.

“East Coast Swing” is a 1940s creation of two American dance associations (with help from Arthur Murray). Dance instructors assumed Lindy Hop, which had been danced for two decades at that point, was too difficult to teach beginners. It was not standardized and had a variety of styles. So they transformed an 8-count improvisational street dance into a 6-count commodity aimed at middle Americans.

Because Lindy Hop is an African American achievement, we felt it best to preserve this cultural expression that represents the perfect compliment to the golden era of swing jazz from the 1920s to 1950s. Lindy Hop is the very dynamic, breakaway partner dance commonly seen in the movies of that era.

You will learn everything you were going to learn in East Coast Swing — closed position, triple steps, rock step, inside/outside turns — but in its proper context.

Frankie Manning, Steven Mitchell, and Damon Stone (champion dancers & instructors) teach/taught Lindy Hop to beginners, never East Coast Swing. It is possible. We’ve done it!

We’ll teach our style which is more aligned with Dean Collins and the southern California influence on Lindy Hop that led straight into West Coast Swing.

Prepare yourself for truly joyous, creative movement rooted in a deep connection with your partner.