West Coast Swing

West Coast Swing, danced in narrow 'slot', derives from the San Diego ballrooms of the 1930's as a reaction to the jitterbug in which the more dangerous kicks and jumps eventually led to the Jitterbug being banned. The real development of the dance came in the 1950's when the Arthur Murray studios first standardized the step patterns.

At the time Rhythm and Blues had become the main West Coast Swing music. Today the dance is heavier and harder with influences from smooth foxtrot style music or Latin or Hustle styles. The expressions and variations in this sophisticated swing dance are particularly suited to intermediate and advanced dancers.