During my 10 years of being the NTA Newsletter editor (1986 – 1995), I received many requests for dances that are not classified under the C/W label, such as the Conga, the Hand Jive, the Bunny Hop, etc. In the December 1995 issue I put together a short article on the Hustle. I decided to do a little more research on the Hustle as it is being introduced into the C/W world.
1960 – 1975 was known as the Disco era. People danced solo, without touching. By 1975, the fad had just about worn itself out. 1975 – 1980 became the Hustle era. People danced with partners and “touched!” In fact, the Hustle was often referred to as “touch dancing.” Most thought the Hustle would start a new revolution in dancing. Unfortunately, there were too many regional versions and styles. By 1980 the Hustle had died out in most areas, and the C/W dance took over in popularity.
I recall the Latin Hustle, the New York Hustle, the 3 Count Hustle, the Manhattan Hustle (also known as the 4 Count or Rope Hustle), the American Hustle, the Triple Hustle, just to name a few. I think there was even a Tango Hustle! The 3 Count Hustle, a member of the Swing family, became the popular basic pattern used in most ballroom dance studios.
The basic and most popular count is &, 1, 2, 3 (&, 4, 5, 6). For those who had difficulty starting on the “and” count, – teachers taught it as 1, 2, &, 3, (4, 5, &, 6) until the students because more proficient, at which time they changed over to the &, 1, 2, 3 count.
Talking to teachers from all over the country (ballroom, disco, C/W), l find the same dilemma we had in the late 1970s. There is a different basic pattern taught by each teacher! Some teachers bring their feet together on count 3. There are those who bring their feet together on the “and” count. Most seem to prefer taking a very short back (push-off) step on the “and” count, stepping forward and slightly over the back foot on the 1 count, and stepping forward for counts, 2, 3, turning to the right down a slot. Pick up any dance magazine or video and you will see all kinds of variations.
Which pattern should be the basic Hustle pattern? For the gentleman it isn’t a major problem, but it sure can louse up the lady.
The question seems to be is the Hustle a C/W dance? It does come under the Swing label. Swing is neither ballroom nor C/W, but a dance form of its own (there are many Swing dances) and we have included Swing in C/W dance. If we decide on which basic pattern to use and which feels best to C/W music, we might better answer that question. The Hustle is leadable and danced in a slot.
Recall that there were many dancers who didn’t like West Coast Swing, mainly because C/W dancers tried to do it to very fast music, but once Nashville came out with some good West Coast Swing music, it soon became one of the most popular dances in the C/W world. Think about it – we dance the Polka to Two Step music and the Cha Cha freestyle couple dance to Rumba music! Music drives the dance. If Nashville comes out with some good music that fits the Hustle, then it may soon become a popular C/W dance.
I remember the Hustle of the 1975-1980 era as being a bit boring until lifts and drops were added.
A bit on history: In the early 1960s many line dances were called Hustles.
Kelly Gellette Is the past President of NTA (1990-1994) and the current Dance Council Cbairman on the NTA Board of Directors. The NTA is a non-profit organization with over 3,000 members worldwide. NTA publishes a monthly newsletter. The purpose of the NTA is to promote C/W dancing, develop teacher training programs, develop communication among C/W teachers, and promote national meetings of C/W dance teachers. For information, write or phone Bill Teresco (Membership Director), P.O. Box 0144, Baldwin NY 1 1510, (516) 379-4564.
