The “Back to Jitterbug” event highlights a crossover between two iconic swing dances: Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing. This event celebrates the shared roots of these two styles, while providing an experience to appreciate how they have evolved differently over the decades.

Common roots:

Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing share a common origin, both descended from American swing dances of the 1930s and 1940s. Lindy Hop is the style at the origin of this movement, born in the clubs of Harlem during the golden age of swing. It was as it spread across the United States that this dance took different forms, later giving birth to West Coast Swing, particularly influenced by the slower rhythms and varied musical influences of the West Coast.

Different evolution:

Although both dances share this origin, they have evolved in distinct ways:

• Lindy Hop developed with an energetic, acrobatic style, circular movements and an often fast tempo.

• West Coast Swing, on the other hand, has adapted to more contemporary music, including blues, funk, pop and even hip-hop. It is distinguished by slower, more sensual and linear movements.