Swing Dancing

Swing dancing is like a big umbrella under which several (partner) dances can be identified: Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, St. Louis Shag, solo jazz and more. They all have a shared background, having originated in the USA. These dances then evolved, along with jazz music, and became the craze of the 1930s/1940s, known as the ‘swing era’. The energetic music and the joyfulness it brings has attracted dancers of all ages ever since. Like swing music, the dance relies on rhythm, improvisation, co-operation, relaxation and groundedness.

You could call Lindy Hop the King of all swing dances, but in 1920s New York it originated from tap dance, charleston and several Afro-American vernacular dances. A little bit of historic context is important here, though the space is limited. After WWI Harlem (NYC) became the epicentre of the Harlem Renaissance, an artistic period where Afro-American culture flourished broadly; literature, theatre, music, art, dance, fashion and journalism thrived. New Afro-American consciousness, claiming humanity, pride and dignity, resistance against discrimination and racial oppression, developed during this era. In this thriving climate nightlife blossomed all over Harlem, which was full of theatres, cabarets, cafés, ballrooms, and nightclubs. Even the rich white New Yorkers from other parts of town came to Harlem to be entertained.

One of most special places was the Savoy Ballroom, as it was one of the first integrated places where everyone was welcome to dance. This was unique as segregation was still a daily reality. The Savoy was the hotspot for the best dance orchestras and the best swing dancers. Swing music and swing dancing swept the entire country in the 1930s thanks to radio shows, movies and travelling orchestras. The contributions and assets of the musicians and dancers from that era are still our great source of inspiration.

Swing music is the core of swingdancing, Lindy Hop, Balboa or Collegiate Shag. Swing is a popular jazz style from the 1930s-1940s. Artists such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Count Basie among others brought this infectious music to dance halls and saloons across America. It's impossible to sit still to this music; even non-dancers can be seen tapping their toes and bobbing their heads. This music is meant for dancing! Swingdancing can be done to all kinds of 8-count music, but the core will always be swing. Whether it is music from the early 1930s or now, swing music is still played and there are many modern swing bands that throw great parties together with swing dancers.

Lessons

Learn to Swingdance in Rotterdam
Lindy Hop and Balboa are the two swingdances that are taught at Swing in Rhythm. You can register alone or with a partner, and you get to dance with everyone during the class. This is the way is taught all over the world, in order to best learn leading and following. Social and improvisation aspects of the dance are emphasized. Check lessons for more or go directly to Swing in Rhythm.

Get a taste of swing dancing
At the start of almost every RoffaSwingSalon we offer a one hour beginner's workshop. You can get a taste of how the dance feels and also get ready to move your feet for the rest of the afternoon. Check our events page for upcoming Roffaswing events. We can't offer classes at the weekly Swingpraktijk.

Social Dance
Lindy Hop and Balboa are a social dances; it means dancers meet in class and on the social dance floor. The latter makes swing dancing a great activity. Social dances are great fun; think of them like the best parties where you get to work out, enjoy great music and meet more people than you can imagine. Swing dance communities are thriving around the world and the swing dance scene is a very warm and open scene. There are international workshops and exchanges to be found everywhere. As a dancer you are welcomed in all these places and before you even know it you're crashing on someone's couch and make friends for life.

Warning:
Swinging with RoffaSwing may infect you with the swing virus. Side effects may include:
- Ear-splitting grins
- Laughter
- Good health
- Happy feet
- The urge to dance all day, every day

While we will take credit for all of the above happening, we cannot be held liable.

About Roffaswing

Roffaswing is a non-profit organisation (stichting) which goal it is to promote Lindy Hop and swingdance in the broader sense in our beloved town Rotterdam. We do that by organising several events and activities that focus on swing dancing and its related culture.

Roffaswing consists of volunteers that have regular dayjobs. That's why you can contact us by e-mail. We try to answer you as soon as possible.
E-mail: roffaswing@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook and join our Facebookgroep

We are a non-profit organisation, run a team of enthousiastic volunteers. No sweat, no glory! So would you like to join our team? Sing up here please.

So what's Roffa? Roffa sounds good and is streetslang for Rotterdam.
Look it up at the Urban Dictionary

The photo in the header comes from the site Oud Rotterdam: 'Koninginnedag 1929, een dansje bij het orgel in de St.-Mariastraat'

We will try our best and mention our sources. Send us an e-mail if you think anything is missing. We are in favour of "sharing" information, but we'd like to keep track of our stuff. So send us and e-mail if you want to use any information from our website.

FAQ

Do I need a partner?
A partner is not essential to take part in lessons as we rotate leads and follows around the class regularly so everyone gets a chance to dance with everyone else. Because of this, we do try to ensure an even lead-follow balance in class. The best way to improve your social dancing and to have more fun in the class, is to take advantage of the opportunity to rotate and dance with lots of different people.

In many situations like workshops or taster classes, it's necessary to choose a role (either lead or follow, whatever you want), but most of the courses at the local swing dance school Swing in Rhythm follow an 'ELEF' model. This stands for 'Everybody leads, everybody follows', which means that during the courses you get to learn both the lead role and the follow role.

Do I need special dance shoes?
Comfort is priority in shoe choice, sneakers are absolutely fine to start with. It's all about the soles. They shouldn't have too much grip to spare your joints.
Some dancers eventually choose to get dance shoes that are suede or hard leather on the bottom. If you think dance shoes are beyond your budget, take your favourite dancing shoes and get the cobbler to sole them with suede or hard leather. You can dance in sturdy heels (never spiky or stilettos!). But flat shoes remain poular for a reason. Posture and movement in balboa are slightly different, you may find it easier to dance balboa in heels than in lindy hop.

What should I wear?
Dress in clothes you feel comfortable in and can move around in easily. Swing dancing can be quite a workout and can make you sweat. We all do, so a towel, extra shirt or fan may come in handy. You can do your dance partners a big favour by using deodorant, skipping the garlic in your dinner, not indulging in perfume and consider not wearing big jewelry, arm braces, watches and big rings that might get in the way.

Will I be thrown into the air?
In choreography, jams and competitions, advanced or professional dancers will often do complicated air-steps or aerials but not during a regular social dance. They've practiced for a long time, with proper safety technique. We think that's the proper time to learn air-steps, so never fearyour feet can stay safely on land!