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Swangology

Swangology is the fusion of West Coast Swing and Argentine Tango Nuevo as a dance style. There can be different percentages of each depending on dancer preference and context, such as the style of music, but there should be a smooth blend between the styles. One should flow into the other without a noticeable shift in technique. There are moves that can be used as a bridge from one to the other, while there are unique properties that can be mixed, such as combining a saccada with an underarm turn or mixing a colgada and a whip.

To learn Swango

you have to be proficient in the basics of both dances. In Argentine Tango you should be comfortable moving through the embrace and maneuvering through walking, ochos, molinetes, and stops. It is best if you also know some intermediate movements like adornements, saccadas, and ganchos. In West Coast Swing you should be comfortable with dancing in a slot with triple steps, and basic techniques such as sendouts, side passes, turns, push breaks, and whips. It is best if you also understand how to play in the slot and anchor at the end of the slot. Of course, we teach all of these things in our classes.

 

Robert Roysten originally coined the term Swango for a stage show, but not many people have actually tried to systematically fuse the dances. There was some promotion of Swango in the West Coast community from dancers out of Seattle, but it never really took off as a fusion style.