Dancing has brought so much joy into my life. Here’s why I fell in love with West Coast Swing.
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Experience the excitement of West Coast Swing, a popular partner dance that blends elements of traditional swing with modern influences. Imagine the thrill of smoothly transitioning between fast and slow movements, all while connecting with your dance partner in a harmonious flow. From its smooth and sleek style to its versatility in adapting to various genres of music, West Coast Swing offers an electrifying experience for beginners and advanced dancers alike. Whether you’re captivated by the elegance of the dance or you’re eager to learn a new social activity, West Coast Swing will surely enchant you with its charm and energy. Come and join us on the dance floor to experience the magic of West Coast Swing for yourself!
Why I love West Coast Swing? With its smooth and versatile style, West Coast Swing has become my ultimate dance passion. From its connection-based partner dancing to its infinite opportunities for creativity, there’s always something new to discover and master. In this guide, I’ll share my top reasons for falling in love with West Coast Swing and provide insights and tips for those looking to dive into this captivating dance form. Stay tuned to uncover the magic of West Coast Swing!
# Why I Love West Coast Swing
*Teaser: West Coast Swing is a fun and versatile dance style that has captured my heart. In this article, I will share with you the reasons why this dance has become such a passion of mine and why I believe it is the ultimate dance style for anyone looking to have fun and express themselves on the dance floor.*
## Uncovering the Love for West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing has become more than just a hobby for me; it is a way of life. Some may wonder why I am so passionate about this dance style, and in this article, I will delve into the reasons why I love West Coast Swing. From its versatility and adaptability to its vibrant community and endless opportunities for growth, West Coast Swing has captured my heart and I am excited to share my love for it with you.
### Table of Contents
1. **Introduction**
2. **The Versatility of West Coast Swing**
3. **The Thrill of Partner Connection**
4. **The Vibrant Community**
5. **Endless Opportunities for Growth**
6. **The Joy of Creative Expression**
7. **Conclusion**
8. **FAQs**
### The Versatility of West Coast Swing
One of the main reasons why I love West Coast Swing is its incredible versatility. Unlike other dance styles that have strict guidelines and rules, West Coast Swing allows for a great deal of creativity and personal expression. The dance can be adapted to various styles of music, from pop to blues to jazz, making it incredibly adaptable to different environments and settings. Whether it’s a casual social dance or a competitive showcase, West Coast Swing can be tailored to fit the mood and atmosphere, making it a truly versatile and dynamic dance form.
### The Thrill of Partner Connection
Another aspect of West Coast Swing that I am passionate about is the emphasis on partner connection. In this dance style, the connection between partners is absolutely essential, and the ability to communicate and collaborate with your partner is what makes West Coast Swing so exhilarating. Whether it’s through intricate footwork or playful improvisation, the connection between partners is what brings the dance to life and makes every dance unique and exciting.
### The Vibrant Community
The West Coast Swing community is another reason why I love this dance style. The community is full of diverse and passionate individuals who share a love for the dance and a dedication to improving and growing as dancers. Whether it’s at local social dances or national competitions, the camaraderie and support within the community is truly inspiring and has played a significant role in my love for West Coast Swing.
### Endless Opportunities for Growth
One of the most exciting aspects of West Coast Swing is the endless opportunities for growth and improvement. The dance is constantly evolving, and there are always new moves, techniques, and styles to learn. This continuous learning process keeps the dance fresh and exciting, and provides endless opportunities for personal and artistic growth. Whether it’s perfecting a challenging pattern or refining your musicality, there is always something new to explore and master in the world of West Coast Swing.
### The Joy of Creative Expression
Finally, the creative expression that West Coast Swing allows for is a major reason why I am so passionate about this dance style. Through improvisation, styling, and musicality, dancers are able to bring their own unique personality and flair to the dance, making every dance a true reflection of the individual. The freedom to express oneself creatively on the dance floor is an incredibly fulfilling and empowering experience, and something that has truly captured my heart and inspired my love for West Coast Swing.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, West Coast Swing has become a passion of mine for a multitude of reasons. From its versatility and adaptability to its emphasis on partner connection and the vibrant community, West Coast Swing is a dance style that offers endless opportunities for growth and creative expression. If you are looking for a fun and dynamic dance style that will ignite your passion and bring joy to your life, I highly recommend giving West Coast Swing a try. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
### FAQs
**Q: Where can I learn West Coast Swing?**
A: There are many dance studios and instructors that offer West Coast Swing classes. You can also find workshops and events in your area where you can learn from experienced dancers and instructors.
**Q: Do I need a partner to learn West Coast Swing?**
A: While having a partner can be helpful, it is not necessary to learn West Coast Swing. Many classes and workshops rotate partners, allowing you to dance with different people and practice your skills.
**Q: Is West Coast Swing suitable for beginners?**
A: Absolutely! West Coast Swing is a fantastic dance style for beginners, as it is adaptable to various skill levels and offers a welcoming and supportive community. Don’t be afraid to give it a try, no matter your level of experience.
**Q: Can I dance West Coast Swing to any type of music?**
A: Yes, West Coast Swing can be danced to a wide range of musical genres, including pop, blues, jazz, and more. Its versatility makes it a perfect choice for dancing to different styles of music.

F ET says
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Mary Kyte says
Great video Peter. And I agree with it all wholeheartedly.
Lisa LaCroix says
Such a great video, Peter! It’s popped in on my feed a few times, and every time I think this is the video I would’ve made to describe wCS swing to my non-dancing friends. So thanks!
Dottie Macken says
I really enjoyed your presentation, and why you enjoy West Coast Swing – would have liked to see a little bit more of the earlier years, the beginning of WCS. Again, nice job and so glad you are enjoying WCS. Dottie Lovato Macken
Timur Seitosmanov says
great video! 1:30 is a shameless zouk though 😛
Lisa LaCroix says
This is a great video Peter. You captured all the reasons and gave such a great overview. Love that the dance has even chamged a lot in the six years since you made this video.
Wise Man says
Fav dance to dance, least fav dance to watch….
Suma Datta says
Peter–I send your video out each semester when we try to recruit new college students, staff, and faculty to our WCS club because you did such a fantastic job showcasing history, social dance, a variety of roles, ethnicities, music genres, and styles as well as WCS all over the world. Love it so much! Any chance you might update it? For a college student four years ago is forever! 😃
Merlinhexer says
I love Westi 😊. Greetings from Austria
Houston Cat says
I love the WCS. I learned it in the late 70 ies. Danced it for a couple years and just started back up again. It has definitely evolved. It is also danced differently in the ballroom community than the club dance sceen. I am glad to see WCS is still going strong here in Houston the Latin dances are far more popular and for C&W Two Step and polka but surprisingly C&W now also has its fair share of WCS dancers.
Gina Conroy says
I totally agree! WCS was the last dance I learned, but has become my favorite for all these reasons!
Patty Coates says
Love west coast swing
Linda G. says
This was one of my most favorite dances 20 years ago, dancing to blues, funk, songs that MADE you want to move. Now it seems most of the dances my husband and I go to, and what I'm seeing on YouTube with competitions, the music is so sloooow, more like what you would expect contemporary dancers to move to. Not my cup of tea.
TJ .Butler says
Almost like a disco redux
Rio Rodrigues says
Love this video! Just got back from Easter Swing in Seattle. Can you please share what video you use for the first clip of this video? The song used is Awake by Tycho
ExeniaMusic says
Totally agree!
Gordon Clay says
Watch Christopher Dumond and Cameo McHenry's "Dancing on my Own" sometime to experience true Jack and Jill improve.
Gordon Clay says
My favorite are West Coast Swing Jack & Jill competitions where partners are randomly picked and have to dance to music that they didn't select and what what they do with those rhythms and lyrics.
Gordon Clay says
I was dancing the West Coast Swing in the 50s in Kansas City, MO. My dad said that this "slot dance" really took off after World War II when dance floors were so crowded with GIs that staying in a slot and doing all of those moves allowed a lot more people on the dance floor than the circular space the Jitter Bug needed.
Mike Cushing says
Brilliant well done great personality
Jeff Rossini says
I completely agree that what you said is why I personally enjoy it too but this does make it markedly different from most ballroom dance styles. I don't find this to be a bad thing, just an important distinction. Blues Fusion is also a great dance style that allows more freedom of movement from both the follow and the lead but I like the West Coast Swing style because at least it has some structure to the movements and the steps. The key for me is that dancing should be fun and collaborative with your partner and that's what makes West Coast Swing so enjoyable.
DancePOP Choreo says
I agree
Raj Sakaria says
Let’s go Brandon, I agree
Erica Eng says
Does anyone know the handle of the african american dance partners towards the end of the video? Would love to follow and take class from them
TRULY SIELI says
I start my first WCS Private lesson tomorrow.. I recently turned 60 and this is going to keep me Moving FOREVER. So excited
D says
Hells yes! Love looooove WCS🤩😍💃🏻
llRoyalty says
It’s definitely up there, the music is great. I think the freedom it has for expression is a two edge sword 🗡 sometimes I feel it gets too far off from its own identity that it becomes hard to define especially with the hesitation steps and lack of triples , but that is also what makes it so great. Because you can express a bit of that creativity and imagination.
I still like dancing other types depending on the mood.
It’s definitely a changing dance & it will continue to change over time. I still enjoy swinging & encouraging others to do the same.
msdungan says
This year, we're growing our WCS club here in Omaha, NE!
Pd Mccarthy says
I love wcs and agree . But much of the fancier stuff I am watching is not improvised but rather rehearsed. Loved your interesting takes.
Michele Silloway says
I, too, have been watching WCS! Getting familiar with the dancers isnfun.