Dance Styles
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Lindy Hop
originates from Harlem, New York, and was first danced at the Savoy Ballroom in 1928 and evolved in African American communities, breaking away from the Charleston, adding in spins and turns with a partner that can also include improvised steps.
It was popular in the 1930/1940’s. The Lindy Hop falls under the umbrella of ‘swing dance’ where people danced to swing music of the time, which continues to this day.
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Balboa (Pure-Bal)
originated back in 1915 when it was first danced and comes from Southern California. It became popular in the 1920/1930’s and fell under the umbrella of Swing dance, danced to swing music of the time.
Balboa is a close partner dance which has evolved and fused with other dances of the time. It is named after the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California, where the dance was invented.
It evolved as a compact dance as it was created when dance floors were crowded, needing less room to manoeuvre on the floor.
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The Charleston
social dance originating from the early 1920s, (with the distinctive toes-in and heels-out movement ), can be danced solo, partner or a group.
Although it was predominantly danced in the 1920s, The Charleston does date back to around 1903. Originally it was danced in South Carolina in America by African Americans as a black Folk dance.
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Solo Jazz
, also known as Vernacular or Authentic Jazz is danced as an individual rather than a couple dance. It should be danced freely, both in improvised and choreographed routines.
Solo Jazz originated in New Orleans from the inspiration of enslaved African people. Jazz dance combines traditional African dance’s rhythmic music and movements mixed with some European influences.