Jitterbug

HISTORY

As swing dancing swept the nation in the 20's, 30's and 40's, cities and towns added their own flavors and styling. Over time, the term "Swing Dancing" came to encompass the various subgroups including: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shag, Balboa, Blues, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing and Jive to name a few.

The term "Jitterbug" encompasses various swing dances including Lindy Hop, Jive and East Coast Swing. Jitterbug developed during the 30's and 40's and is a jazz variation of the two-step in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns and often with vigorous acrobatics.

Jitterbug has been called the "frenetic leftover of the swing era of ballroom." Jitterbug (ECS, Lindy Hop) includes aerials and tricks including Air Stepping on the competition and performance level. It's aerobic and acrobatic with and emphasis on improvisation.

Jitterbug can be danced to almost every conceivable style of music with a blues or jazz rhythm (the exception of Jazz Waltzes) as well as non-traditional styles of music such as hip hop.


BASIC MOVES IN JITTERBUG

Swing out – In this step's open position each dancer improvises alone; in its closed position men and women dance together.

Acrobatics – Aerials and air walking

In the photo: JULIANNE HOUGH, CODY LINLEY