About Swing

Sometimes called America's folk dance, swing is an energetic, improvisational partnered social dance dating back to the birth of jazz. The following are the most popular styles of swing in the Triangle Area:

Lindy
The original swing dance. It's generally comprised of an 8-count basic and is characterized by the swing out, the heart of Lindy. If you've ever been to a dance and participated in the beginner lesson and then watched a couple dancing later in the night, and it doesn't look quite the same as what you learned, chances are they're dancing Lindy.

East Coast
East Coast Swing is a derivative of Lindy that is generally comprised of 6-count patterns. In the Triangle area, most beginner lessons are East Coast Swing.

West Coast
Also a derivative of Lindy, West Coast Swing is a slotted dance with both 6 and 8-count patterns. It generally incorporates lots of turns with the lead staying pretty much in the same place. West Coast Swing is also danced to a different style of music.

Charleston
The easiest way to characterize Charleston is a dance with lots of kicks. Charleston kicks are most often incorporated into Lindy. It is not well-suited for slower tempos.

Balboa
Balboa is ideally suited for fast-music, though it can be danced to any tempo. It includes an 8-count basic generally danced in closed position.

Do I need a partner?

Absolutely not. In fact, many of the people that dance don't have a person they dance with on a regular basis. As all of our dances are social events, you'll never have a hard time finding someone to dance with.

What should I wear?

First and foremost, wear comfortable shoes. Your shoes are widely regarded as the most important aspect of your dance wardrobe. To read a great article about swing shoes, click here. As for the rest of your attire, the best advice is to go for comfort. Guys should pack a few extra shirts as it can get a bit warm. You can see what people are wearing by visiting our photos page.

How do I learn to swing dance?

The short answer is: Take lessons! Our Durham Armory dances always include a one-hour beginner lesson with the price of admission. You should have not problems dancing a whole night with the steps you learn in the beginner lesson. However, swing dancing is a challenge. In order to get really good at it, you'll need to take lessons and practice LOTS! But that's ok, 'cause it's FUN!! The Triangle area has some great swing dance instructors.