I've been dancing for quite some time now in both ballroom and swing, but it's only recently that I have discovered something; there seems to be two different worlds between Lindy Hop and swing dancing as it is done in the ballroom environment.

What I'm getting from the hard core lindy hoppers is that their dance is the only real swing and what is taught and done in the studios - East Coast, West Coast, single time is not real swing and with some hostility and ridiculing on their part.

Wondered what comments there are on this.

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport" - Vince Lombardi

I am a hardcore Lindy Hopper who dances regularly in the NY/NJ/PA social dance scene. Most of the dances I go to are *strictly* Lindy Hop, however, I do attend dances with a mix of styles. There is, indeed, a difference between "ballroom style swing" and Lindy Hop. I believe most of the ballroom style is a 6-count (East Coast) pattern. From what I've observed, ballroom swingers don't do swing-outs. They also swing dance in a more upright fashion than traditional (Savoy) Lindy. Swing-outs (or whips, as in Hollywood style Lindy) are the keystone of Lindy Hop and that is one thing I don't see any ballroom stylers doing. Nevertheless, Lindy Hoppers and ballroom dancers share the essentials of partner dance: connection, frame, centering, lead-follow technique, etc.

In general, Lindy Hoppers are fierce loyalists who get edgy when people equate all 'swing' with Lindy Hop. East Coast, West Coast, Ceroc, etc. ARE real 'swing'....they're just not Lindy Hop. Lindy Hop is a style of the generalized term 'swing dance'. It is different from the other swing styles, but I for one would never say one is better than another. Viva la difference!

[This message was edited by A2 on 11-23-02 at 07:04 AM.]

[This message was edited by A2 on 11-23-02 at 07:06 AM.]