Learn to dance Hustle; Dance Lessons: Riverside Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance Studios

Hustle: The Hustle gives us the fusion of Swing and Disco.

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.

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

Hustle songs and artists include:

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Last Dance - Donna Summer
Believe - Cher

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