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Swing Dance: Fashion, music, culture and key moves
With all things vintage enjoying a boom worldwide, swing dancing has well and truly swung back into fashion. From vintage festivals and tea dances to weekend socials and hundreds of weekly classes held around the world, multiple forms of the dance that was created in 1930s Harlem by Frankie Manning are growing ever more popular.
Swing Dance explores the vibrant contemporary swing-dancing scene, looking at the different dance styles and the associated culture, community and fashion. Illustrated with vintage and contemporary photography, as well as specially commissioned step-by-step guides, it provides everything you need to know, whether you fancy kicking up your heels in the Charleston or mastering the Lindy Hop ‘swing out’.
The four major dance styles are covered – Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Balboa and Lindy Hop, including the Strolls, which are guaranteed to fill the dance floor. Each chapter begins with an overview of the fascinating evolution of the dance style. ‘Get the Look’ examines the fashions for guys and girls, including hair and make-up, and a clothing, shoes and accessories checklist, while ‘The Music’ suggests the top ten tunes to practise to. Then follows a breakdown of the basic step patterns upon which the dance is built, and a guide to some of the key moves. There are also insider tips from old-timers and today’s leading swing dancers as well as fun, easy-to-follow page-embedded video demonstrations produced exclusively for the book and accessible via scannable QR codes.
Swing Dance explores the vibrant contemporary swing-dancing scene, looking at the different dance styles and the associated culture, community and fashion. Illustrated with vintage and contemporary photography, as well as specially commissioned step-by-step guides, it provides everything you need to know, whether you fancy kicking up your heels in the Charleston or mastering the Lindy Hop ‘swing out’.
The four major dance styles are covered – Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Balboa and Lindy Hop, including the Strolls, which are guaranteed to fill the dance floor. Each chapter begins with an overview of the fascinating evolution of the dance style. ‘Get the Look’ examines the fashions for guys and girls, including hair and make-up, and a clothing, shoes and accessories checklist, while ‘The Music’ suggests the top ten tunes to practise to. Then follows a breakdown of the basic step patterns upon which the dance is built, and a guide to some of the key moves. There are also insider tips from old-timers and today’s leading swing dancers as well as fun, easy-to-follow page-embedded video demonstrations produced exclusively for the book and accessible via scannable QR codes.
- GenresNonfiction
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2015
7 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 5, 2018
This book does a good job in briefly explaining the origins of the various styles of swing dance, and in giving an idea about the culture of the swing scene across the globe. Liked the accompanying lavish pictures.
October 20, 2018
"...leather soles are key, as all parts of the foot must be able to pivot, shuffle and slide on the floor."
It's a great introduction into the history, dress and steps of the most common swing dance styles. The styles include Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa and Collegiate Shag. There is a short session on solo jazz routines too.
Nothing too in-depth; it is written from the point of view of the author as he meets all the original swing dancers. Names like Frankie Manning, Norma Miller etc. There are "Learn to Dance" steps, accompanied with videos.
It is great way to get introduced to the world of swing dance, but regardless, the best way to learn is to go out, dance and meet people!
It's a great introduction into the history, dress and steps of the most common swing dance styles. The styles include Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa and Collegiate Shag. There is a short session on solo jazz routines too.
Nothing too in-depth; it is written from the point of view of the author as he meets all the original swing dancers. Names like Frankie Manning, Norma Miller etc. There are "Learn to Dance" steps, accompanied with videos.
It is great way to get introduced to the world of swing dance, but regardless, the best way to learn is to go out, dance and meet people!
July 23, 2020
A comprehensive guide to the various types of swing dancing and the history, culture, and style associated with it.
The photography and design of the book is beautiful. At first I was worried when 95% of the dancers photographed for the book were white...but Cupit included a section dedicated to both Frankie Manning and Norma Miller towards the end.
The photography and design of the book is beautiful. At first I was worried when 95% of the dancers photographed for the book were white...but Cupit included a section dedicated to both Frankie Manning and Norma Miller towards the end.
June 24, 2018
The book has very practical and useful information for lindyhop culture,i like it very much.
July 17, 2020
Nice overview of dance, fashions and music related to swing. Pretty in depth history and the clips/how to section is helpful
September 10, 2016
I like to read books about things I'm obsessed with, so couldn't resist borrowing this beautiful hardback book from the library. You can scan QR codes in the book to access videos, which is IMPORTANT because - although the diagrams are color-coded - it's impossible to learn how to dance from a book. Scott introduces the dance briefly, but in engaging ways (the pictures are especially wonderful), and his love for the swing dance community is something I can very much relate to right now. I finished the book in one sitting, flipping through it the way I used to go through the picture books I loved as a kid. It's a fun read, for non-dancers and lindy hoppers alike!
November 16, 2015
This is a beautifully presented hardcover book that will take pride of place on my coffee table. Scott Cupit's passion for swing dancing shines through in the anecdotes he shares. There is something for everyone in this book: history, fashion for men and women, gorgeous vintage and modern photos, dance step instructions and QR codes that link to demonstration videos.
Swing Dance is the perfect introduction to those new to the culture and gives more depth to those who have caught the "jitterbug" bug already. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Swing Dance is the perfect introduction to those new to the culture and gives more depth to those who have caught the "jitterbug" bug already. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2017
Great as a coffee table book and conversation starter. Scott is clearly very passionate about the dance and proud of the success of Swing Patrol and it's dancers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews