An insightful article about WCS:

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/ben-morris-west-coast-swing-improv-acting-advice-77610/

How does everyone feel about acting out the lyrics in WCS or other dances?  I think it’s called “miming.”  It can certainly be entertaining.

Does anyone else have this pet peeve?

The music from dancers’ videos on TikTok sometimes gets removed for copyright reasons, and sometimes the music is later restored.  But the worst part is when the song is replaced by another one, generally one of a small handful of songs (such as “Shivers,” “Ice Ice Baby” or “Cheap Thrills”).  I assume they are used because of their more open licensing agreement, if not public domain.  Sometimes you’ll even find both the original and altered video versions, posted by different sources.

I don’t know who is doing the song substitutions, but isn’t this disrespectful to the dancers and their videos?  Unless they have somehow given permission.  Non-dancer viewers who don’t know about this process must notice the dance doesn't necessarily match the song.  (Not to mention what they must think of how limited the WCS song playlist is.)  Seems it would be more honest to just leave the dances silent with the “This music isn’t available” note, as awful as that is.

Sorry to hog the conversation lately ☺️, but . . .

I’m curious what would happen if you put tap shoes on a WCS dancer.  WCS dancers don’t take many percussive steps, as tappers do, and I don’t know how well you could spin or slide in tap shoes.  But I think a fusion of the styles in a routine (would it even be allowed in competition?) would be a lot of fun, the way Astaire & Rogers fused tap with ballroom/Latin, and Kelly fused tap with jazz.  We already see many dancers, even in competition, fuse WCS with ballet, shuffle moves, and other styles.

And I do see some WCS routines that include some tap-like patterns, just without the taps—a good example is this one:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8dkbtgq/

I have heard purists say they don’t want other forms mixed in with WCS.  Others say modern swing was meant to continue to evolve.

Anyone have ideas as for making WCS more popular and mainstream?  It seems to me bringing celebrities into it, à la "Dancing With the Stars," would do it, if WCS had its own little version.  Or a mini internet WCS chat show that would bring in a few celebrities.

I’d like to pose a question to anyone.  How do you feel about loose vs. more fitted outfits for dancers in comps?

It has become trendy for some to wear looser-fitting outfits.  These can have nice movement to them in spins for example, and they are surely more comfortable.  My only problem is this way the motions of their limbs are not as clearly defined, not as easy to see.

Perhaps a compromise is a sheer layer (sheer long vest or overskirt) over a fitted layer?  Then you would have defined limbs + movement.

Hello,
You may already be aware of this, but there seem to be a few glitches lately with the  message board:
- Most of Emily’s replies seem to have disappeared.
- Yesterday I got an email notification for Emily’s reply to a post that was not mine.
- I tried deleting and reinstalling the app.  Then to sign back in, after a few tries using email address, I never got the confirmation email.  (However, it worked when using password.)

Hi.  Another question, please.  ☺️

Are turns/pivots and spins/pirouettes supposed to be on the ball of the foot, or (almost) the whole foot?  I have watched the pivot and pirouette videos, and it is taught that most of the weight should be on the ball (and three inside toes).  But it appears like most of the foot is flat, and I have heard Brian say you should think about the depth of a sheet of paper between heel and floor.  Yet I have often seen pros completely lift the heel.

By the way, I don’t know if there is a right or wrong way to do this, but I teach myself the footwork (of several patterns) first, till I have them down, then go back to learn the arm & hand movements.

Hi, another question.
Is there a term for the times when a dance couple is not physically touching?
For example, are they said to drop their connection, or to disconnect/be disconnected?  Then are they said to reconnect or reestablish connection?

Thank you :)

Hello!  Loving the course, and thank you for all the outstanding work the team has put into this!

I just have a question about a move I have often seen the WCS pros do.  It’s when the leader extends a hand, palm side out, and the follower takes the hand and continues the pattern.

I hadn’t come across it on the site, and was wondering what it’s called, and when to use it. *Update:   I did see examples of the move in your “Carwash with Salsa” and “Twisted Up” and “Advanced Reverse Whips Variations” videos, and it was referred to as “asking for” a hand.

Thank you :)

By the way, have you all seen this show the pros put on at Liberty Swing?  It was epic!
. https://youtu.be/EJN-78ycZBo