West Coast Swing is the studio member group class on May 17! Hop down to Fred Astaire Boise and join the fun as we learn the steps.

With roots in the Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing is danced in a linear fashion with a partner. It is a slotted dance, meaning that dance steps are performed within an imaginary rectangular “slot” on the dance floor. This confined footprint makes it an ideal dance style for crowded dance floors.

West Coast Swing is also known for emphasizing improvisation, giving both partners plenty of room to add their own flair!

A Hollywood Story

As the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug swept across the country in the 1930’s and 40’s and became popular on west coast dance floors, they ran into a uniquely Californian problem – they didn’t translate well on the screen! Movie directors and choreographers struggled to keep dancers’ faces in frame as they moved in circular patterns, making the linear movements and confined steps of West Coast Swing the perfect dance for Hollywood.

In 1988, the California state legislature made West Coast Swing the official State Dance!

Join the Fun!

You don’t need a partner or any dance experience to fit in at Fred Astaire Boise – there is always someone to dance with in our welcoming community and our awesome instructors will have you feeling comfortable on the dance floor in no time!

If you’re new to Fred Astaire Boise, start your journey by signing up for an introductory private lesson, or give us a call at (208) 514-0440 to schedule your first session!