Hustle Dance Classes Jupiter FL (Palm Beach County)

In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, discotheques became a popular form of entertainment in Europe and the U.S. In 1973, at a disco called The Grand Ballroom, a new type of “touch dance” without a name was being exhibited by ladies. This simple 6-count step with a very basic form, including inside and outside single turns, would give birth to what would later be called “Hustle.” Some argue that the couple’s dance stole the name “The Hustle” from the already existing line dance. As it began to gain popularity the Hustle started to evolve;. Although considered very much a touch dance, the Hustle was now performed mostly side-by-side and incorporated a lot of the intricate turn patterns of the mambo. The dance also included multiple turns and hand changes with a rope-y feel to the arm movements; hence, the dance was now referred to as the “Rope Hustle” or “Latin Hustle.”

The dance also began to move from a slotted pattern into a rotational one. As dance contests increased, young competitors were seeking an edge and so acrobatic and adagio movements were introduced into the dance for performances and competitions. Throughout the late 1970s, even though Hustle was still taught in many different forms (4-count Hustle, the Latin or Rope Hustle) by dance studios, the most exciting form was done by NYC club dancers and competitors who performed the 3-count count Hustle (&-1-2-3.). As it continued to evolve, Hustle began to borrow from other dance styles including smooth ballroom, from which it took traveling movements and pivots and other partner dance forms such as swing and the Latin rhythm dances.

Today the Hustle continues to be danced and is found in social dance circles, ballroom studios, competitions, and other dance events. Hustle dancers still dance to classic Disco beats and also to more contemporary pop music. It is a fast, smooth dance, with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away. Free rhythmic interpretation is characteristic of this dance. Many have fun making the Hustle a challenging dance by following a rhythmic pattern which plays with the timing of the music rather than following it verbatim. 

The foot-work is popular with beginner dancers as the basic pattern structure is simpler than other partner dances and can be attainted relatively quickly.  The Hustle continues to be associated with fun times and done with highly dynamic, flashy, and powerful energy.