HUSTLE. Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like wildfire, and although the white suits and gold chains have faded away, the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco. Hustle is still one of the most popular nightclub dances across the country today.
HISTORY. Discotheques (Disco) with high quality sound systems, and flashing lights became a popular form of entertainment in Europe and America in the late 1960's and throughout the 70's. In the early 1970's a new dance craze became popular on the crowded dance floors of New York. This "Touch Disco" was called the Hustle. The Hustle marked a return to popular dances where couple danced touching each other. The popularity of modern and "retro" music with "disco" beat keeps this dance fresh, exciting and full of energy for today.
MUSIC.Disco Music is normally written in 2/4 or 4/4 time with a strong bass beat. The melody and beat are based on rhythm and blues and the accent on each of the bass beats makes the music hard to resist.
CHARACTERISTICS. Turns, spins and wraps are primary components of the Hustle. The more accomplished dancers will use syncopated timing and fakes along with elaborate arm styling.
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TEACHING ELEMENTS.
· Hustle Basics--Concentrate on turns and position changes
· Open Breaks--Teach fingertip lead & follow, arm control
· Footwork--Work on weight changes in rotation
· Connections--Prepare for unity of movement & control of body
· Hustle Motion & Accents--Stress use of beats to steps, body to music
· Various Timings--Use straight & syncopated timing to adjust to different music tempos
· Compare/Contrast--Swing, Lindy, Cha Cha, Merengue
TEACHING ELEMENTS (CONTINUED).