Lindy Hop Swingouts - "Savoy" Style vs "Hollywood" Style

There are 2 main "styles" in the Lindy Hop World today, one is referred to as the "Savoy" style and is credited to having come out of Harlem NY named after the famous Savoy Ballroom. The other, which is an adaptation and credited to having come out of Southern California and associated with a man named Dean Collins. They are distinct variations and although both are danced to "Lindy" music, Hollywood style tends to be danced to faster more up tempo music - as the posture is straighter than in Savoy style and lends itself to faster movements through the basic.

Some of the main differences in the dance steps are:

Savoy

The lead and follow circle around each other (this term is meant as a tendency of the movement, not an actual 'circle') but both share a common center. The follow moves 1/4 of the way around the lead during each two counts. The follow moves facing forward on 1, 2, 5, & 6 and partly turns using her own momentum on 3, 4, 7, & 8.

Hollywood

Like in West Coast Swing, the follow moves in a straight line, called the "slot". The lead must move out of her way sideways as she passes. The follow moves forward on 1, turns on 2, walks backward on 3 and 4, turns on 5, and moves backward on 6, 7, & 8. The follow goes furthest back on 3and.

Get on the Dance Floor

Frankie Manning There are many sites that go into great detail about how each dance style is done step by step. It is going to actually be of little use to anyone to try and read about it before trying it out on the floor and then once tried out become of little use to read about.

The main points, and what can be useful to dance who wants to know more about this, is to understand the basic attitude differences between the two styles and from there the movements will come more easily.

The best thing to do is to get up, move way from the computer, get on a bus, train, car, bicycle or whatever and go to your local dance hall and do it.

Dean Collins If you can't, or if you want to get a better understanding before you take an actual lesson, there many videos out there which can show you Savoy and Hollywood styles. Personally, I think to get it straight from the source, getting the Frankie Manning series are the best idea- as he is one of the originals, there is no interpretation.

Then look for a Dean Collins video to see how it was done by him. After that, there are many other great teachers you can watch - although always best in person... wherever possible.