What Is West Coast Swing?
West Coast Swing is a fun, fluid, expressive dance recognisable by its slotted shape and focus on connection between partners. It is best danced smooth and grounded but allows full freedom of creativity and musical interpretation. It can be danced to a varied range of music from Blues to Country Swing, from Soul to Pop, making it probably the most versatile of couples dance forms. Leverage and compression is the key, allowing for dips, drops and turbo spins, just like Modern Jive. But its sensuality and intimacy is more akin to Blues.
West Coast Swing is the perfect progression not only for the more experienced dancer wishing to take their Jive to a new level, but also for the novice dancer interested in learning some sexy, sassy moves along with vital technique which can be applied to a range of couples dances.
WCS dancers stand out from the crowd... it could be YOU!
I Am Brand New To West Coast Swing... Can I Attend?
Yes! We offer FUNdamentals tuition at each of our venues every week, followed by a beginner review session with one of our team in a separate area running simultaneously with our main Intermediate level class. Our monthly Windsor Workshop packages are specially designed to accommodate all experience levels; FUNdamentals, Improvers & Progressive (Intermediate Plus).
Do I Need A Partner?
No! West Coast Swing is a very sociable dance and we encourage partners to rotate within our classes and workshops. Our weekly classes are open to everyone and no pre-booking is required. Our workshops and events are gender-balanced but please feel free to book on alone or with same-sex friends and the promoter will take care of the rest!
What Should I Wear?
West Coast Swing is a trendy street dance, so informal attire is best for social dancing. Comfort and fashion are key so jeans are perfectly acceptable. Men, if you sweat during dancing then please make sure you bring lots of spare t-shirts and deodorant. Breath mints or gum and a towel to wipe yourself down will be greatly appreciated by the ladies!
For competitions, it is generally expected that men wear shirts and dress pants. Ladies, skirts and dresses are uncommon as they can be quite restrictive for this dance. Smart trousers with more dressy tops are the norm. Avoid jeans and t-shirts for comps!
What Is The Best Footwear?
Ladies, avoid a high heel as the dance involves a lot of walking forward with a heel lead. A comfortable shoe with either suede or leather sole with a short heel is advisable.
Try www.supadance.com/acatalog/1426.html for the most widely worn dance sandal.
Try www.ids-danceshoes.co.uk/2008/ladies_practice/index.htm for a recommended closed toe practice shoe.
Gents, a Cuban heel is commonly worn among WCS dancers, giving you a nice leg line and assisting with your body pitch for compression and stretch. However, any shoe with a suede or leather sole that is comfortable and does not have a protruding edge around the sole will be fine.
Check out www.ids-danceshoes.co.uk/2008/mens_latin/rumba_bk_lycra.htm for a recommended swing shoe.
What Music Is It Danced To?
West Coast Swing can be danced to a varied range of music from Blues to Country Swing, from Soul to Pop, making it probably the most versatile of couples dance forms. For a comprehensive list of suitable WCS music compiled by top Pros in the business, Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely, check out cordobaszekely.com/music.php.
