What is Hand Dance?

D.C. Hand Dance is one of the many forms of Swing Dance that can be traced to the Lindy Hop, popularized during the 1920s. Swing Dance refers to a group of partner dance styles in which a male lead and female follower execute a series of dance steps, intricate turns and moves. In addition to Hand Dance, other forms of Swing Dance include West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Chicago Steppin, Philly Bop, and Carolina Shag.	(Dana & Kevin perform a Hand Dance routine)
Hand Dance is a six beat dance that adheres to the basic structure of Swing Dance — one double followed by two triple rhythms.¹ Smoother than Smooth Hand Dance Co. teaches a contemporary style of Hand Dance pioneered by Lawrence “Brad” Bradford, founder and CEO of Smooth & Ez Hand Dance Institute. In comparison to traditional Hand Dance and its emphasis on footwork and energetic dancing to up-tempo music, contemporary Hand Dance is characterized by an emphasis on spins and turns² executed in a smooth fashion. For a more technical discussion of the intricacies of Hand Dance, read Lawrence Bradford’s Hand Dance: A Definition on the Smooth & Ez website.
In 1993 the Smithsonian Institute recognized Hand Dance as an American Art Form. Hand Dancers also received additional recognition in 1996 when Smooth & Ez Hand Dance Institute was awarded a District of Columbia City Council Resolution for its outstanding achievements and community service. In recent years, competitions and media recognition, including a demonstration on FOX Broadcasting’s, So You Think You Can Dance, have contributed to a resurgence in Hand Dance. As a result, Hand Dance has been attracting younger and younger crowds.	(Award winning teens, Tiara McCoy & Randy Portis)
Smoother than Smooth invites you stop in at the Sport & Health Club any Saturday between 12:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to view a live demonstration of this American Art Form. Kevin L. Tisdale, Certified Lead Instructor, CEO, Proprietor Dana Martin, Assistant Instructor _______________________________________ ¹Lawrence Bradford, Hand Dance: A Definition, Smooth & Ez Hand Dance Institute, http://smoothnez.com/hand-dance-definition/ (November 2009). ² http://smoothnez.com/hand-dance-definition/. (Back to top)