Swing Dance Lessons North York

At Arthur Murray, we offer Swing dance lessons in North York, which are an ever popular blend of several African American dances, which include Lindy and Ragtime Jazz and Blues, as well as all the other dance music to accompanying dances of the past ninety years. Today, swing ballroom dance generally refers to the ballroom and night club version which is based on two slow and two quick counts or the slow and two quick counts of rhythm dances. If you’re interested in learning more about our Swing dance classes in North York, get in touch with us now!

History of Swing Dancing

Perhaps the most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a buoyant carefree movement. It’s one of the dances that becomes contagious.  The Lindy (Swing) picked up where the Charleston left off. It had “swing-outs”, “break aways” and “shine-steps”. With the birth of “Swing” music in the mid 1930’s the Lindy climbed the social ladder. In August of 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom, bandleader Benny Goodman played a Fletcher Henderson arrangement of “Stompin’ at the Savoy”. The rest, as they say, is history. The dance craze swept the nation, and depending on where you lived, it was the Jitterbug, the Lindy Hop or the Swing. Since those days, each successive generation has “discovered” the fun of Swing. This most uniquely American dance is enjoyed all over the world.

Characteristics of Swing Dancing

A side step or a triple step (shuffle) followed by a rock step done to lively music is the fundamental pattern for this dance.  Swing, Jitterbug, Jive, Shag, Lindy Hop, etcetera are normally written in 2/4 or 4/4 time with the musical accents occurring on the second or second and fourth beats of a measure. Swing includes two general rhythms: Swing Rhythm – 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6 or its equivalent; Lindy Rhythm – 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 or its equivalent. Swing may be danced comfort ably over a wide range of tempo

Swing Dance
Music

f you take Swing dance classes in North York, Etobicoke (The Kingsway), Downtown Toronto (Yorkville), North York/Scarborough, and Vaughan (Woodbridge), chances are you’ll hear the popular Swing songs and artists, including:

  • In The Mood, by Glenn Miller
  • Rock Around The Clock, by Bill Haley and the Comets
  • Start Me Up, by The Rolling Stones
  • Jump, Jive, An’ Wail, by Louis Prima or the Brian Setzer Orchestra

The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance easily mastered by most people. The various speeds of music are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading and following which will add comfort and ease in most other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns both men and women will find Swing dance lessons in North York a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice.