Swing dancing is a rhythmic and high-energy social dance that evolved alongside the big band jazz era of the 1920s through the 1940s. Defined by its infectious sense of joy and improvisation, it encompasses a variety of styles—most notably the Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, and Charleston—characterized by "swinging" syncopated rhythms and a playful connection between partners. Whether it involves the athletic aerials of a performance or the smooth, grounded footwork of a social ballroom, swing dancing is fundamentally about community and self-expression, inviting dancers to physically translate the upbeat pulse of the music into kicks, spins, and slides.