OFFICIAL STATE DANCE OF CLIFORNIA

S.B. 2460, KOPP. Official state dances.

(a)West Coast Swing, also known as Swing, Whip, or Jitterbug, came into being in the early 1930's in response to new musical forms then sweeping the land. It was created at the grassroots level of our people. Devotees of this art come from every conceivable ethnic, religious, racial, and economic background. Age is no factor, nor is gender. Among the ranks of swing dancers, one can find Judges, School teachers, Lawyers, Waitresses, Salesmen, Doctors, Students, and so on.

West Coast Swing dancing is an intricate dance, requiring a great deal of coordination, good timing, and intelligent application. It is healthy and a joyful activity that belongs to all our people. They created it, they nurtured it, and they kept it alive.

West Coast Swing is an American dance which is done to American music. It originated in California and is danced in competition nationally and internationally.

(b) Square Dancing is an American folk dance which is called, cued, or prompted to the dancers, and includes Squares, Rounds, Clogging, Contra, Line, and heritage dances.

The Square Dance has a long and proud history. It is an exciting art form that is truly an original of our country, and has been danced continuously in California since the "Gold Rush Days."

As our state's population has grown, so has the Square Dance activity. California leads the nation with more than 200,000 residents square dancing weekly. It conforms to our ever changing lifestyles and appeals to people of all ages.