What’s it all about?
Lindy Hop is a social dance that
was born in America in the late
1920s. It developed out of Ragtime dances such as the Strut
and
the Cakewalk, and was heavily influenced by later dances such as the
Charleston and Blackbottom of the 1920s.
Lindy Hop is associated with the Swing music of such legends as Glenn
Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway etc. In the 1930s it
spread rapidly, and was brought to Europe as the Jitterbug by American
GIs in the 1940s. Lindy Hop is the grandfather of jive dances which
include Rock and Roll and Modern Jive.
Recent years have seen renewed interest in Lindy Hop around the
world, and a considerable revival in the USA. In the UK too,
more
and more people are rediscovering the fun of partner dancing and
learning to dance the Lindy Hop. There are an ever-increasing number of
classes around the country, not to mention social dances and weekend
workshops. So come along and join in!
The Oxford Swing Dance Society
Lindy Hop classes provide an opportunity
to learn this fast and jazzy dance in a friendly, relaxed and
informal atmosphere. It’s an ideal way to learn something
new, have fun and meet people no matter what age you are, or
dance experience you have. The OSDS teachers believe in concentrating
on mastering dance technique and members of the society regularly attend
weekend social dances, workshops, dance weekends and even dance camps
around the world keeping their skills up-to-date.
What to know
So, you’ve decided that
Lindy Hop is for you. Let OSDS give
you a few pointers about how to get going......
Music:
Those new to Lindy Hop often ask about what music would be best
to listen to, and where they can get it. Here
are a few suggestions
along with one or two pointers about how to use the music in your
dancing.
Shoes
& clothes: Wear some. Actually, try to make sure
that you
have comfortable shoes that don't grip too much. Trainers are a good
start but you'll soon start looking for dance shoes.
As for clothes, some people wear full 1930/40s period costume, others
wear tracksuits. Try to wear something reasonably loose and
comfortable, and something that won't make you too hot.
Dance-floor
etiquette: Going to your first social can be a formidable
experience, but it shouldn’t be. Remember, we were all
beginners
once and we are all there because we want to have fun. There are loads
of sites detailing dance-floor etiquette, so check them out and you'll
feel at ease on the
social scene.
