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Dance, Imperial STYLE - Origins of Imperial Swing
What is Imperial Swing?
Imperial is an original, St. Louis dance style that is a 6-8 count version of the East Coast Jitterbug swing that is normally danced in a lane that follows the dance floors boards...very similar to the West Coast style of dance. This Imperial style evolved from dancing in the "round" into dancing in the "slot" in the 70s. It can be dance with or without a coaster step. Other characteristics of the Imperial style are waist and neck wraps, spins, and interesting foot work. The Imperial Swing is a combination of various dance styles that was created to accommodate the multiple dancers who were dancing and enjoying the best the St. Louis music scene had to offer in very tight, club spaces... packed with high energy.
How did Imperial Swing get its name?
Imperial Swing got its name from the Club Imperial which was a nightclub located in North St. Louis, Missouri, at the corner of Goodfellow and West Florissant (6306-28).
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the owner of Club Imperial, George Edick, promoted a "Jitterbug" contest and held Tuesday "Teen Night" dances. It was during these weekly dances that a jitterbug variation that became known as the "Imperial Style" of St. Louis swing was born...
Check out the video from one of the live TV Broadcast in 1959!
What music was performed at Club Imperial?
George Edick, began booking little known bands such as Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner, Bob Kuban, Dolly Parton, The Monkees, Glen Campbell, the In-Men, The Fifth Dimension, and many others to play at his club. Club Imperial exposed the dancers to a whole new world of upcoming artists and their music in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It also boosted the careers of many of these musicians by creating a whole new generation of fans.
When did the Imperial Swing become popular in St. Louis?
Imperial Swing was promoted by the Club Imperial:
In the 1970s, George Edick and Teddy Cole decided to hold an annual St. Louis Jitterbug Contest "Imperial Style" to pick a "City Champion." These widely publicized contests prompted many of the older, experienced dancers to come around the club again, and Edick sponsored a number of "Salute Dances" to introduce these old timers to the newer dancers. More and more people began learning the Imperial because of these promotions and the exposure to other dancers.
How was the St. Louis Imperial Dance Club Started?
In 1973 over 50 years ago, Al Morris conceived the idea of forming a club. It all started when the dancers began organizing into small dance groups that met in apartment complexes and other places around the St. Louis area for convenience. The group that first met at the San Miguel apartments in St. Charles later became known as the St. Louis Imperial Dance Club. This new club also alternated their dances between Lynch's apartment complex in South County and the Wood Hollow apartments in West County.
The original founders were Al Morris, Dave Cheshire, Jan Cheshire, Rick McQueen, Joan Fritz, Debbie Dustman (Wheelis), Veronica Lynch...
Where is Imperial Swing Today? Can I learn to dance it?
The St. Louis Imperial Dance Club can proudly say that they've supported and contributed to the founding and creation of many of clubs within the St. Louis area that are in existence today. Imperial Swing still thrives and is danced today.
You are welcome to join one of our member clubs and learn first hand, some St. Louis history and also help us to continue our Imperial Swing dance legacy!
Some of our clubs also teach West Coast, Night Club 2, Stationary Cha Cha, River Waltz, Country 2 Step, some line dances as well as other forms of dance not mentioned...not just Imperial Swing...
All the local dance clubs appreciate and enjoy all styles of swing all over the country.
Our members travel, teach, promote and support our local and national clubs year round.
We are also proud members of the Midwest Swing Dance Federation, The American Bop Association, and the National FastDance Association.