Every year, a festival takes place in which swing dance gets absolutely rocked. It is called…The Rock That Swing Festival. It’s an obvious name to chose, but it is accurate, because not only do they perform swing dancing, but they do it with some of the most fun, upbeat 50’s and 60’s rock songs. Simply put: It’s a chance for the world’s most talented swing dancers to take to the stage and not just show their audience a good time, but to have a blast themselves.
One highly memorable routine from last year’s festival is this one, featuring two incredible swing dancers.
First we have Chandrae Roettig Gomez, or “Chanzie”, and her fancy feet.
Living in LA, she’s a talented dancer, but also teaches others to do what she does best! She has a magnetic energy when she dances, that just makes you want to get on up and dance too.
Our other dancer is Stephen Sayer.
Stephen also lives in LA, and works for the L.A. Shag Festival, and teaches at the L.A. Jitterbug Swing Dance Academy. He’s one classy fella, and his old-school charm shines through in his swing dancing.
So when these two dazzling dancers team up, they bring the heat!
The song they dance to is Sam Cooke’s “Twistin’ the Night Away”. It’s a good-time rock song released in 1960, and the kind of song that a pair of dancers like this one can really dig their heels into.
And boy do these cats know how to swing!
With loose hips and tapping toes, these two on-beat dancers show the audience how it’s done. Stephen even has the knees and hips to make Elvis himself jealous. These two are full of energy and the amount of fun they have dancing is infectious.
Not to mention the swagger.
Of course when it come to swing dancing, the moves themselves will only get you so far. The final yet arguably most important element of dancing a style this cool, is the attitude. What would Danny Zuko be if he didn’t have all that confidence? Grease would just be a soggy song and dance if Sandy didn’t suddenly burst forth with all that spunk at the end of Grease.
And of course, if you’re dancing to Twistin’ the Night Away, you gotta twist!
And believe me, they know how to twist! When they get those knees going, that swing gets well and truly rocked.
Watching this pair is like taking a time machine to the 60’s.
Complete with complimentary outfits, they really do look the part. Somebody check if there’s a DeLorean parked out front! From the period jacket, to the combed hair, to the skirt, every part of their getup suits their amazing, timely routine.
At last, for the final move of the dance, Stephen swings Chanzie high into the air. When she comes back down, he again swings her into a horizontal position and catches her there.
Just.Wow.
Watch the full video below to enjoy them rocking that swing!
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