The Charleston Dance and Lindy Hop History

The Charleston dance was the first massive dance hit of the American swing era, back in the 1920s, and quickly developed into an energetic, kicking dance thanks to the efforts of African-American dancers in Harlem. The famous dancer Josephine Baker spread the dance to Europe during her tours there, and the Charleston dance became one of the first international dance hits to originate in the New World rather than the Old. Lindy Hop history is tied closely to the Charleston, and you can learn both dances today at Swing Zing Dance School in Perth.

The Charleston is a fun, energetic dance, so when Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight across the Atlantic in 1927, the dance form that people turned to in order to make a celebratory dance to commemorate this achievement was this already-existing, extremely popular swing dance. The Lindy Hop’s history began with an adaptation of the Charleston dance, though it soon developed a unique style all its own.

The Lindy Hop has stood the test of time during its succeeding history, offering a dynamic, exciting pace and plenty of improvisation to keep matters interesting for those who are “Lindy Hopping”. Learning the Lindy Hop and the Charleston at the same time is a good way to study dance history as well as have a lot of fun – comparing the two dance forms helps you to appreciate both how closely related they are, and how creatively they have been taken in their own unique directions.

Your best source in the Perth area for both Lindy Hop and Charleston Dance instruction is the Swing Zing Dance School. We understand the link in Lindy Hop history that connects it to the other swing dance forms, and how understanding of one can help you develop skill in the others. Call us today and get started on enjoying some of the liveliest and most entertaining dances to come out of the 20th century.