Throughout the decades, music and dance styles have changed with the eras, and in modern times, there isn’t much room for the ‘old school’ routines. But there are a few who still love the classics and, surprisingly, many of these people are young!
Nils Andrén and Bianca Locatelli are two twenty-year-olds who definitely have a love of swing dancing and have stuck to it at a competitive level!
They certainly had the crowd mesmerized with their excellent execution of the classical swing moves at the Rock That Swing dance festival. Have a look for yourself – you will not be disappointed!
Getting into the swing of things
The dancing couple looks rather dashing in their mid-1930s attire; Nils in a smart, blue suit and Bianca in a delightful white dress and wedges. While they definitely do look the part, it is time to see if they are able to play the part.
The music begins, and the couple does not waste a second and instead swing into action to the 1960 song “Stay” performed by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. The routine begins with sensual twists to match the ‘doo-wop’ style music.
One cannot help but immediately notice Nils’ impressive footwork and Bianca’s complete trust in his ability to lead. Spinning into action, the crowd begins to ‘whoop’ when Nils and Bianca skip into ‘the train’ moves.
The routine picks up speed, and you could swear you are watching a live-action version of Dirty Dancing. Coincidentally, or purposefully, the song the two dancers have selected to perform to is one of the songs used in the iconic Dirty Dancing movie!
As soon as Nils spins Bianca out, the couple becomes fluid in each other’s arms and sway across the dance floor with elaborate and large movements. With a combination of skipping, twirling, and some rapid footwork, the couple has successfully been able to mesmerize the crowd as they exit the dance floor.
Watching this performance makes you feel as though you have gone back in time, and we wish that we could just so that we could witness this excellent routine in person once again!
The Rock That Swing Festival
While it is impossible to go back in time, it is possible to relive some of the fantastic moments that the past has to offer. One of the ways is through dance. Swing dancing was wildly popular in the 1930s and 1940s and continues to remain so in some areas today.
In fact, swing dancing was one of the fundamental influences behind other dance styles, including disco, line dancing, and even hip hop.
The Rock That Swing Festival held in Munich every year welcomes guests from all over the world to celebrate the dance and music from the Swing and Rock and Roll eras.
The festival consists of five nights of dancing, live shows, contests, workshops, and swing masters who are ready to show off their mad skills. Guests can even try their own hand at learning some popular dance styles, such as the Charleston, Boogie Woogie, and the Lindy Bop!
About the classic couple
Both Nils and Bianca have been dancing since they were young children. In adulthood, they have now begun competing in a wide array of dance contests covering a variety of dance styles, including ballet, Latin dancing, ballroom, and the Lindy Hop swing, among others.
While Nils was born in Sweden, Bianca was born in Italy and moved to Sweden at the age of sixteen. The couple has been performing and dancing together ever since.
When they are not competing, they are teaching workshops at festivals and sharing their love of dance.
This is not the first time that the dynamic duo has been able to sweep us off our feet, and we are sure it is not the last! After all, their motto is
“A dance a day keeps the doctor away.”
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