About State Dance
Most
people are aware that we have a state bird (the quail), state Flag (the bear), and
other state things but did you know we actually do have a state dance. Below is a
copy of the "Original Senate Bill" adopted by California in 1988 that made
West Coast Swing the Official State Dance Of California ( The U.S. Swing Dance Council,
and Yes, proudly I along with many others had a hand in the passing of this bill.
) ... read more about it HERE
OFFICIAL STATE DANCE INFORMATION
1987-1988 Regular Session
CH 1645
STATE DANCES
CHAPTER 1645
SENATE BILL (S.B). NO. 2460
AN ACT to add Section 421.5 to the Government Code, relating to state dances.
( Became law without Governor's signature. Filed October 1, 1988 )
S.B. 2460, KOPP. Official state dances.
Existing law designates an official state flower and an official state tree, among other things.
This bill would designate the West Coast Swing Dance as the official state dance.
This bill would designate Square Dance as the official state folk dance.
The People do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares, as follows:
(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.
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