History and Characteristics of West Coast Swing

After World War II, many returning soldiers went to clubs to dance, resulting in crowded dance floors.  Club owners soon realized that those who were dancing weren't buying many drinks.  So, they started to make dance floors smaller and rented slots on the dance floor.  This fact, combined with Hollywood's desire to film swing dancing, helped to define the slotted nature of the West Coast Swing.

West Coast Swing is currently danced with a very sultry, sensual feeling with flirtatious wraps and turns.

West Coast Swing music, like East Coast Swing, is accented on beats 2 & 4.  However, the music is typically more gritty and "bluesy."