What is the difference between East Coast and West Coast Swing?
East Coast Swing is also known as the Jitterbug. It is very fast and bouncy and is danced to the big band music of the forties and fifties, as well as to contemporary rockabilly. It was the dance featured in the movie “Swingers” and is now very popular in bay area nightclubs like Bimbo’s and Cafe du Nord. East Coast Swing is similar to City Swing; East Coast Swing is danced to slower music and is danced with a triple step (the basic step is “trip-le-step, trip-le-step, rock-step”), whereas City Swing is danced to very fast music and uses a single step (the basic step is “step, step, rock-step”). East Coast Swing is also similar to Jive, which is an International style ballroom dance used at dance competitions. It is generally danced in standard dance position with leader and follower facing each other. East Coast Swing is upbeat and very easy to learn. West Coast Swing is danced to the blues and contemporary music; typical West Coast Swing artists are Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, John
