A cousin of the Charleston believed to be from New Orleans, the Collegiate Shag became popular nationwide (and especially in the New York area) in the ’30s and ’40s. Like other dances popular in the big band era, Collegiate Shag has roots in the ’20s including possible connections to the Varsity Drag and Collegiate. While other footwork patterns and styles exist, Collegiate Shag today is primarly a 6-count dance full of kicks, hops and taps done to fast jazz.
Posted on January 21st, 2005 by chad
What do you get when you mix the movements and partnership of Lindy Hop with the syncopations of Rhythm Tap? We call it LindyHoofin’. At times, it’s Lindy Hop infused with Tap. At times, it’s Tap enriched with Lindy. The hoof/hop blend grew out of our rehearsals and tap practices. We had been working on each dance in separate rehearsals; however, gradually these rehearsals began to intermingle and so did the dances. At first, Tap steps and syncopation would drop into our Lindy Hop quite accidentally. Then the music began to drive the dropped heels, flaps, slaps, shuffles and stomps, until they became an integral part of our dancing.
Tango, our newest dance interest, is a departure and challenge for us. The music is no longer jazz and the mechanics of the dance are different. However, it is improvisational, intense and passionate, all things we enjoy. It’s a perfect way to balance the exuberance of our jazz dancing with the subtle sensuality of the Tango.
Midori began her dance career as a rhythm tap dancer. She started tapping in Tokyo, then Montreal, and finally New York. Along the way, she studied with some great hoofers. But one stands out above them all, Mr. Chuck Green. The late Godfather of Tap remains an inspiration to us both. When we needed a break from practicing Lindy Hop, she’d show me a few steps, then a few more. I had learned a little Broadway tap in high school for the school musicals. What she showed me was much different. I’ve been a rhythm tap enthusiast ever since.
We perform and teach popular and historical social dances of the Jazz Age and Swing Era and have appeared on local and national media. Though we do not regularly compete, we have placed in competitions, including 1st in the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships, Fast Dance division.