Albury Wodonga Swing Dancers

Albury Wodonga Swing Dancers is a small group but we are certainly keen and always welcome new dancers, either beginners or experienced.

"Swing" is a style of dance which originated in the ballrooms of New York in the 1920s and 1930s. It evolved from ballroom and jazz styles, taking characteristics from each and blending them into something quite unique and wonderful.
In the 1930s the predominant music was provided by the "Big Bands", and these provided the colourful rhythms which the dancers used to hone their moves and steps. In the 1940s Swing remained popular, with many GIs taking the dance to far flung places as they went overseas on service.
With Rock and Roll taking the lead as most popular music in the 1950s and 1960 the popularity of Swing music and dance declined, but never totally died. There was resurgence in the latter part of the 20th century as many people discovered what had almost been lost. Today, the Swing scene in Australia and overseas is quite massive, and for many people it is a way of life.
Swing Dance is not just one dance. Just as Latin includes Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Salsa etc, so does Swing include many different styles. Most popular would be Lindy hop, an eight beat dance which is an utter joy to perform. Charleston is also very popular, either 1920s style or a later more grounded variations. Six beat and triple step are used often, and there is Balboa for fast music on crowded floors, and Blues for end-of-night when you are all danced out. Although there are many different ways to dance Swing, there are characteristics which are universal - fun, musicality, and partner connection. In Swing we dance to the music, and once the basic steps have been mastered, we are able to improvise and combine the various styles into the one dance.