West Coast Swing can be danced to almost any current pop song. The dancers play with rhythmic variations, exceptional dynamics and numerous rotating figures. The dialogue between the couple and the music interpretation play a central role.

Characteristics

West Coast Swing (WCS) is one of the «Street- & Social Dances» and finds its origin in the Swing-Family. Today WCS is a contemporary dance style. Movements of Hip Hop, Zouk, Jazz, Latin, etc. can be integrated to it. The dance is performed in a long, narrow area (slottet). The dancers usually dont leave this area. The dancers may interpret the music together or independently. The main dynamics is divided into 2-stroke units and is mainly formed in 6 and 8-beat rhythms. These can be varied anytime. On dance events the partners do a permant partner exchange that means after almost each song.

Yesterday

According to the legend, the dance style emerged in the 1930s for the first time in the Savoy Ballroom, New York. Dean Collins video, a very often filmed dancer from the classic Hollywood era, brings this version of the Lindy Hop in 1937 to Los Angeles. He competes there and teach his dance style. So the dance style spreads on the west coast of America. First, it is called «Smooth Style Lindy» and it is still danced to Swing and Blues music. Lauré Haile from the Arthur Murray Dance Studios called it for the first time «Western Swing». In the 1950s the dance was also known as «Sophisticated Swing». In 1961 appears the name «West Coast Swing» for the first time in a dance book and was promotet in 1962 Skippy Blair video.

WCS should have been interesting to film producers in the thirties. Their camera lenses initially didnt possess any wide angle. So the slottet dance was the perfect couple dance they were searching for. The men remained stationary and the women changed their place so both remained on the line. This space-saving line dance was also very welcome for the nightclubs of Los Angeles.

Development

WCS meanwhile is spreading across the U.S. and is now a national pride of California. Besides to the retro swing dances «Hollywood Style Lindy» (Lindy Smooth), «Savoy Style Lindy», «Jitterbug» and «East Coast Swing» (Boogie), WCS developed to a progressive contemporary couple dance since the 1970s.

Today

WCS is worldwide already very popular and spreads out in Europe. After having conquered France and Britain the dance spreads in Switzerland now in no time.

Competitions

The competition forms of WCS are unique and are pathbreaking for other dance styles. Their judging criteria are not only promoting the dance style, but also developing the creativity and teamwork (interaction in the pair).

Jack & Jill is probably the most important and most popular competition. The candidates sign up individually and are assigned to each other at random. In the preliminary round they will be evaluated individually. Only in the final, they are valued as a couple. The music is not known in advance and for the dancers a surprise.

Strictly is a competition format for couples. Again, the leading and following will be evaluated. Dancing to the music is also spontaneous and improvised.

Pro-Am is dancing with the professionals. The dancers are evaluated also individually, while they dance with a professional. A thoroughly delightful competition form.

Classic is an open division. It could happen, that beginners are dancing against professionals. So, the levels are mixed. The couple shows a choreography to a song of their choice. Lifting figures are prohibited.

Showcase is similar to the Classic Division. In the Showcase the visibility of WCS is not so much important. The biggest difference is, that in the Showcase a certain amount of lift figures are required. This amount may vary depending on the competition.