The word Lindy that is part of the term Lindy hop refers U.S. aviatar Charles Lindbergh, who made the first solo nonstop trans-Atlantic air flight in 1927. Hence, the popular dance of the roaring twenties was named after Lindbergh.

Rock That Swing Festival 2017

Tanya & Sondre

Lindy Hop History

Lindy Hop is the original swing dance, originating in the late 1920’s. It began at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem with dancers like Frankie Manning. It became very popular and spread across the U.S.

Rock That Swing Festival 2017

Mikaela & Nicolas Lindy Hop performance

Eventually, the dance morphed into other forms of swing dancing. Some of these swing dances are East Coast swing, West Coast swing, Carolina shag, Collegiate shag, St. Louis shag and Balboa. All these sister dances became popular in different parts of the country as the original dance waned in popularity.

Harlem 2014

Max & Pamela

The 1990’s Swing Revival

European Swing Dance Championships 2015

William Mauvas & Maeva Truntzer  Classic Showcase Finals

In the 1990’s, there was a huge swing revival. So, many neo-swing bands became very popular like the Royal Crown Revue, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cherry Poppin’ Daddy’s. Subsequently, some dancers at dance studios on the West Coast brought Frankie Manning out of retirement. Together they developed a teaching program for this original swing dance which spread across the country.

Savoy Cup 2017

Strictly Invitational Final

The music is usually slower than music for single rhythm East Coast swing (Jitterbug) and faster than West Coast Swing music. During the late nineties and through the two-thousands swing became wildly popular. Also, all the variants of swing flourished like the Lindy hop, Balboa, Chareston, jitterbug, East Coast swing, collegiate shag, Carolina shag and West Coast swing.

Lindy Hop Dance Styles

At dance studios around the world, dance instructors offer swing era dance lessons that include the Lindy hop and dances related to the it like the Charleston. In Southern California, L.A. style, Franky Manning, Savoy and Hollywood styles of Lindy hop are popular. It is the dance style that is popular today. Newcomers to this dance should look for a comprehensive program that includes six and eight count patterns plus single and triple rhythm.

Rock That Swing Festival 2016

Laura & Felipe Lindy Hop Performance

Other Related Swing Dance Genres

The East Coast swing was an easier form of swing dancing that was created by dance studios and instructors in order to teach the general population swing dancing. There are four different rhythms used in all swing dance including single, single delayed, double and triple rhythms. Meanwhile, in the 1960’s a new form of swing dance was developing on the West Coast of the United States called West Coast swing. This form of swing has continued in popularity since it evolved.

Lindy Basics Dance Lesson Clips

Lindy Hop Dance Lessons Level 1

Frankie Manning & Erin Stevens

Lindy Hop Dance Lesons Level 2

Frankie Manning & Erin Stevens

Lindy Dance Music & Songs

Additional Lindy hop information

Read more about the swing dance styles here