The 1920s Swing Charleston for Group Dancing Today

The early Charleston dance in the 1920s, as it appeared both in the United States and on the international stage, was often a solo dance, even if several dancers were performing. Many fun and enjoyable partner swing dances evolved from this basic type, such as the Lindy Hop dance and the Balboa dance, both of which are taught by Swing Zing Dance School along with the original Charleston. The Charleston understandably retained its popularity, however, and has stood the test of time to endure to this day.

Charleston dance moves are swing dancing – energetic, using various swing moves, and involving improvisation more often than not. Improvisation can either take place within the framework of the dance steps themselves, or outside them, depending on how closely the dancer wants to stick to the “official” or “traditional” form of the Charleston.

Although it is possible to dance the solo Charleston completely alone, nowadays solo Charlestons are usually danced in a group setting. You can dance either as part of a circle of people, each dancing the Charleston alone but as part of an overall social experience, or as one of two lines of dancers facing each other. Both methods have something to offer, and in both cases, a caller is usually present to call the moves. In a Perth dance school, this caller, of course, will be your dance instructor.

You can either follow the caller’s instructions exactly, or you can choose to improvise within their framework, depending on your level of skill and the creativity you’ve developed during the learning process. Both beginning and advanced Charleston dance aficionados are welcome at Swing Zing Dance School – come join the fun and learn this exciting, enjoyable dance today, meet new people, and enjoy the timeless appeal of the solo Charleston and the swing dances that evolved from it!