What is West Coast Swing?

West Coast Swing (WCS) is modern partner dance that evolved from several different dance styles including lindy hop. Unlike lindy hop, which is known for its energetic and bouncy movements, WCS is known for its distinctive “slotted” movement where partners move back and forth along a linear path. The leader remains more stationary and guides the follower through various turns, spins, and passes along the “slot”. This creates WCS’s iconic smooth and elastic style.

WCS is danced to almost any kind of music including pop, R&B, hip hop, blues, country, etc. This versatility allows dancers to express themselves creatively while interpreting the music in real time. WCS’s emphasis on connection and improvisation fosters a strong partnership and encourages a playful and interactive experience that can change with every song and every partner.

The combination of technical precision, musicality, and personal expression makes WCS a dynamic and engaging dance style that continues to evolve.

This video was compiled by a group in Barcelona to showcase professional dancers from all around the world dancing to a wide variety of musical genres.
This video shows dancers doing WCS in a few different venues both indoors and outdoors. So fun!