Description
Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks presents the Fifth Annual Jack & Jill Competition and Social Dance April 1, 2023 – 7:00pm-11:00pm! Jack & Jill competition means your partner will be determined by random draw and you will dance with more than one partner in a West Coast Swing Competition! Preregistration is open for Leads and Follows.
Leads: $6 General Public ~ $5 Members/Students/Military
Follows: $6 General Public ~ $5 Members/Students/Military
7:00 PM Competition registration and open dancing begins
7:40 PM Registration Closes
7:45 PM Round 1 Competition
8:15 PM Round 2 Competition
8:45 PM Round 3 Competition
9:15 PM Round 4 Competition
9:45 PM Final Round
10:30 PM Awards Ceremony
History of West Coast Swing!
West Coast Swing is a partner dance with roots in the Lindy Hop. It is characterized by an elastic look that results from its extension-compression technique of partner connection and is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. The dance allows for both partners to improvise steps while dancing together, putting West Coast Swing in a short list of dances that emphasize improvisation.[1]
Typically the follower is led forward into new patterns traveling forward on counts “1” and “2” of each basic pattern, rather than rocking back. Traditional figures include 6-count and 8-count patterns of one of the four basic varieties: (1) Starter Step, (2) Side Pass, (3) Push Break / Sugar Push, (4) Whip.[2] The Anchor Step is a common ending pattern of many West Coast Swing figures.[3][4]
Alternatively the basic patterns in West Coast Swing are defined as: Push Break (or Sugar Push); Left Side Pass; Right Side Pass; Tuck Turn; and Whip. Virtually all other moves in West Coast Swing are variations of these basic patterns.
