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1. What is Swalsa?
A: Most say it is really just swing influenced by salsa. There might not be such a thing a swalsa.
2. Aren't Lindy/Swing and Salsa hard to reconcile?
A: Not really. Since they are both on eight counts, most of the moves transfer over relatively painlessly. There are differences in the steps and styling, of course, but the upper body work is largely the same. Salsa and Latin dances in general have a very different feel, with different breaks, variations, and Cuban (hip) motion. All of these things can be transfered back into swing.
3. Is there a type of music that is "Swalsa"?
A: No. There are instances of some jazz songs that have been translated into salsa music, such as Tito Puente's version of "Corner Pocket", and perhaps the other way around.
4. Who are some of the people doing it? Where can I see it done?
A: There are a lot of people who do both salsa and swing, so chances are you already have seen it without knowing it. Paulette Brockington is one specific example, check out her interview below. You will be able to see video clips on this site in the future.
5. What is "Swing Rueda"?
A:Paul and Sharon have been teaching these classes lately. They are describing it as such on their site:
This variant of Casino Rueda (a dance performed by Salsa enthusiasts) was pioneered by a couple of Lindy Hop teachers named Jeff and Elaine from Dallas, TX. Swing Rueda is done with multiple couples forming a circle with a "caller" in the middle shouting out which steps to perform, including some fast and furious partner switching. Folks from all across the country and in Europe as well are catching on to this new craze in the Swing Scene.
| Interview with Paulette Brockington |
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"For me, Swalsa is Swing with Salsa figures added in"
An Interview with Paulette Brockington
By Chernicky
4/29/2002
Paulette Brockington grew up in and around Detroit, Michigan, and became
interested in dance at age 3 or 4 while her sister was
taking ballet lessons. While her mother was running errands, Brockington
was left at the studio to jump around and amuse
herself, since she was too young to officially be in the
classes. Her sister eventually became disinterested, but she
did not. Today her sister is a world-class, classically trained
singer, and Brockington is the dancer/choreographer, as well as an actress/director and writer.
Trained in a variety of concert dance styles, she
has danced professionally with a a ballet company, a
couple of modern dance companies, a jazz dance company
and a few opera companies. This is in addition to
performing in dramas, comedies and musical theater. Her
training has allowed her to choreograph live
industrials, musicals and dances for operas, and has
also acted as an entree into stage direction and
swing/ballroom dance.
Four years ago, Brockington presented
the first
American Lindy Hop Championships (where she teaches the class "Swing meeets Salsa"), and on October
24-27, 2002, the ALHC will make its fifth anniversary. In
addition, a year ago she produced an instructional video
which has swango, swustle, dips, and tricks that can be
added in swing dance, along with an instructional section on basic
steps.
Next up Brockington is in preproduction for a swing dance
version of the Nutcracker Ballet. The premiere is
currently scheduled for Fall of 2003 to be done with
an organization based in Washington, DC.
HHL: What, exactly, is "swalsa" - if anything at all?
PB: For me swalsa is Swing with Salsa figures added in. I
teach Salsa. And a class I have often taught at
workshops and conventions is Salsa Meets Swing. It
takes Salsa figures and adjusts them so that
individual couples can fit them into with their swing
vocabulary. I will sometimes show the Salsa figure
then teach it as a swing step. Students seems to
particularly like turns, changes of direction and
footwork most.
HHL:
Do lindy dancers have trouble doing salsa? What specifically do they have trobule with that is different?
PB: Most Lindy dancers have no trouble doing Salsa.
Salsa's basic actually is much easier to do than the
Lindy basic. They do have trouble with the flavor
though, particularly Latin motion.
HHL:
When and how did you first get involved in Salsa?
PB: I sometimes say that I have gestation periods that
reoccur. Over a period of 9 months I learned Lindy
from Frankie Manning on a private basis. Then over a
period of 9 months I trained in ballroom and competed
successfully in it in Latin or Rhtyhm dances. Then I
did the club thing. By biggest compliment from good
Latin dancers was that I didn't dance like a Ballroom
dancer. So one thing lead to another, I went from toe
shoe to pumps and back and forth for the last 7 years.
HHL:
Can you give an example of a specific salsa move,
and illustrate how one
would transform this into something usable for
lindy?
PB: A simple one to describe that is used often in swing
is when from a double hand hold position:
1. The leader puts the follower into a cuddle
postition (arms are wrapped around the follower with
left arm over the right),
2. Then brings follower to a Turkish towel position
(lifts leader's left hand overhead to bring follower -
while holding both hands - behind and to the left of
the leader as the leader wraps himself in a cuddle
with the right arm ending up on top in the wrap,
3. Then backs out (tunnel), then turns partner to
uncross arms ending back in a double hand hold
position.
HHL: I love Tito Puente's salsa version of the jazz
staple "Corner Pocket". Are there any other
swing/salsa songs that you recommend when meshing the
two dances?
PB: Can't think of any off hand but then I only had an
hour and a half of sleep last night.
HHL: What are some of your favorite songs to use for
salsa? bands?
PB:
I use Gloria Estefan, The Mambo Kings, Joe Cuba, Manu
DiBongo, Eddie Palmieri, Dark Latin Groove, Corazon
Gitano & Celia Cruz
HHL: How do you feel about the Swing Rueda meme that is
gaining popularity?
PB:
I think it is fun and reinforces the Big Apple and
ring shout from earlier times.
HHL: Who are the leading figures in the development of Salsa-influenced swing dance?
PB:
It would have to be swing dancers. We started it.
Can't really give you names other than me Jeff and
Elaine and maybe John Knapp and Meredith Stead from
NY. They were actually the first that I know about to
do it, I think in '97.
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