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What types of dances were popular in the 30's and 40's?
  • The Balboa
    • an 8 count dance danced only in "closed" position with no spins or turns
    • named after the Rendevous Ballroom on Balboa Island, CA
  • Swing
    • East Coast Swing (6 count)
    • West Coast Swing (6 and 8 count moves)
  • The Jig Trot
    • variation of Balboa with the appearance of Shag
    • made successful/famous by Hal Takier and Betty Roeser by using as their "basic". You can still catch Hal out dancing this today in southern California.
  • The 1930's Shag (a.k.a. "Chicago Shag")
    • mainly a 6 count dance
    • made famous by dancing neck-to-neck, butts out, and lead arm reaching to the ceiling
    • called Collegiate or "double-time" shag today
  • The Camel Hop (a.k.a. The "Frisco")
    • 8 count dance done in both open and closed position with open to open pass-bys and turns
    • possibly introduced to L.A. by sailors from visiting ports (San Francisco)
  • The Lindy Hop
    • began at the Savoy Ballroom in the mid-1930's
    • 8 count basic with triple steps added
 
Information from "The Dances" by Peter Loggins, Swivel Vintage Living Magazine, May-June 1999.
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