Don’t Be Afraid to Catch Saturday Night Fever, because Disco is NEVER Dead

If you like Salsa or West Coast Swing, then be sure not to miss this weekends All Levels Hustle Workshop with A.J. Edgington at Atomic Placentia!  This smooth disco dance has evolved since its heyday in the 1970s, incorporating many of the popular variations with salsa and swing patterns.  And it’s experiencing a resurgence of interest with the popularity of techno and pop music (which often sample or incorporate a disco beat).  The great thing about the Hustle is that you can add as little or as much flare as you’d like while you dance to anything from slow disco to fast funk.  And ladies:  the arm flares will come some naturally because you just can’t help but have fun – like you’re a real Dancing Queen!

Do the Hustle…♪♪ ♫ ♫ ♪♪

OK OK…it’s not 1975 anymore but that doesn’t mean disco is dead.  The disco beat lived on in funk, soul, r&b, techno, pop and even rap music.  And the dance lived on too.

NY Hustle vs LA Hustle

It seems like every American dance style has this battle…east coast versus west coast style preferences.  And the Hustle is no different.  Most of the hustle you will see on a competition dance floor is New York Hustle, while the ‘street’ style from LA is a more casual partnered dance.  Although the differences are highly contested here are the basics…

New York Hustle

  • lots of ladies arm and upper body styling with simple lower body styling & footwork
  • uses both rotational & slotted patterns
  • tends towards slower disco beats (108-116bpm)

LA Hustle

  • patterns remain on a slot
  • dancers tend toward faster disco beats (116bpm and up)
  • this tends to lead ladies to style with their lower body & footwork

Oh my goodness – this looks like so much fun! Regardless of what ever style you choose to dance with your partner, disco dancing is not dead!  As you can see it’s very much a live social dance which continues to evolve.  So come down to A.J.’s workshop at Atomic Ballroom Placentia and pick up the basics.  And the next time you’re out dancing and the music is calling for disco (not swing or salsa)  have some fun and then show ’em how it’s done!

*Check out how disco evolved in Europe – The Discofox!