How Swing Dancing Stays New

Swing dancing has been around since the 1920s, with several variations. There's East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, the Lindy Hop, Charleston, and the Shag. A lot of people aren't aware that salsa and the tango are forms of swing dancing. You may wonder why swing dancing has been around as long as it has. While swing dancing is somewhat a dying art, it has been kept alive by many people in many different ways.

If you have satellite radio, you can find swing dancing music on channels on Sirius and XM. These channels offer a large variety of Big Band sounds, so you get to sample all the best artists. Local libraries are also a great source of swing music - you can check out CDs by everyone from the Dorsey Brothers, to the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This abundance of great swing music motivates people to learn the dance steps, and get out on the dance floor, or even dance at home with family. You can also still catch this music in live venues. The Glenn Miller Orchestra disbanded when their leader joined the Army Air Forces in WWII. When Major Miller subsequently disappeared over the English Channel, many people thought Big Band music was lost forever. In the 1970s, the Glenn Miller Orchestra was revived, and continues to play venues all around the United States and abroad. The United States Air Force also has a band they call the Airmen of Note, that tour the world playing the big band sounds that made Major Miller and his orchestra famous. Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey are gone from this world, but their orchestras live on, and also play for audiences around the globe.

If you are looking for other people to dance with, in most major cities (and even smaller cities), you can find local swing dance groups that hold regular dances, and even offer lessons.

On many university campuses, swing dance clubs have begun to take off, and see lots of participation. Many fitness clubs and YMCA locations also offer swing dance lessons. You can also find lots of groups on websites like Craigslist, or Meetup.com. Thanks to the dedication of individuals that are interested in keeping history alive, swing dance has endured for almost 90 years, and will continue to thrive for many years.