The swing dance known as Detroit Bop is a part of the EASTERN SWING family.Detroit’s Bop has a 6 count basic pattern. This is equal to 1 ½ measures of music in 4/4.  Its tempo ranges 100 to 120 Bpm. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of a delayed double and two rolling triples. The patterns start traditionally on the downbeat of one with a kick. The leader’s footwork is normally started on their left and finished on their right. The follower dances natural opposites. The Detroit Bop can be danced circular or slotted. It is characteristically seen as circular more often than slotted in social settings. Take inconsideration the term “Bop” began to be used between 1945 & 50 to express music and dance. The dance known has Detroit Bop is more likely a derivative of Jitterbug. No published syllabuses exist for the dance.

The Urban dance known as Detroit Ballroom is a variation of the Latin dance known as CHA-CHA.Detroit’s Ballroom has an 8 count basic pattern. This is equal to 2 measures of music in 4/4.  Its tempo ranges 90 to 120 Bpm. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of two doubles and two rolling triples. The patterns start traditionally on the downbeat of one with a forward step. The leader’s footwork is normally started on their right and finished on their left if the dance is started in side by side “Skaters” promenade. The follower dances alike. The Detroit Ballroom can be danced circular or slotted. It is characteristically seen as circular more often than slotted in social settings. Take inconsideration the term “Detroit Ballroom” began to be used between late 1980’s & 90’s to express this dance. The dance known has Detroit Ballroom is more likely a derivative of Cha-Cha. No published syllabuses exist for the dance.

The Urban dance known as Graystone is a variation of the Box Rhythm Foxtrot. This smooth graceful dance known to some Detroiters has an 8 count basic pattern. This is equal to 2 measures of music in 4/4.  Its tempo ranges 90 to 140 bpm. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of two singles and two doubles. The pattern starts traditionally on the downbeat of one with a forward step. The leader’s footwork is normally started on their left and finished on their right. The follower dances natural opposite. The Graystone is dance traditionally in a closed embrace but can and does use figures that need an open embrace to be executed. Its line of dance would be counter clockwise if the community of dancers maintained the tradition inherited from the Foxtrot. Take inconsideration the term “Graystone” is the name of one of Detroit’s popular Ballrooms that is now closed and demolished. The traditional ballroom style dances were present at the time and no written documentation has ever been presented to document a history of the dance known as “Graystone”. The dance has no large following of any strong organized community as of this May 3, 2011. No published syllabuses exist for the dance.

The swing dance known as Steppin’ is a part of the WESTERN SWING family the parent dance “Chicago Bop” may have been more EASTERN SWING but Steppin’ has characteristic more towards the west; especially its usage of a lane or slot. Steppin’ has a 6 count basic pattern. This is equal to 1 ½ measures of music in 4/4.  Its tempo ranges 70 to 100 Bpm. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of a double and two syncopated triples. The patterns start traditionally on the downbeat of one. The leader’s footwork is normally started on their left and finished on their right. The follower dances natural opposites. Steppin’ is danced with a lane or slot. Take inconsideration the term “Bop” was used to describe the dance form Chicagoans did until the early 1970’s. Prior to that time “BOP” was the known term and its origin in began sometime between 1945 & 50 to express music and dance. The dance known has Chicago as Steppin’ was Bop is more likely a derivative of Jitterbug.

The Urban dance known as Walkin’ is a variation of the Box Rhythm Foxtrot. This smooth graceful dance known to some Chicagoans and abroad has an 8 count basic pattern and uniquely enough also a 12 count pattern dance to music in 6/8. This is equal to 2 measures of music in 4/4 and 2 measures in 6/8.  Its tempo ranges 66 to 78 Bpm in 4/4, while it’s tempo range 100 to 120bpm in 6/8. Its basic rhythm pattern consists of two doubles and two singles when dancing in 4/4, and in 6/8 the dance uses two doubles, two singles, two blanks as its units. The pattern starts traditionally on the downbeat of one with a forward step. The leader’s footwork is normally started on their left and finished on their right. The follower dances natural opposite or alike if using a side by side promenade. Walkin’ is dance traditionally in a closed embrace but can and does use figures that need an open embrace to be executed and side by side promenade. Its line of dance is counter clockwise the community of dancers maintains the tradition inherited from the Foxtrot. The dance has reasonable following among the Steppin’ community which is large and growing strong organized community understanding. No published syllabuses exist for the dance.

I have to add the 6/8 part for Walkin’.  ~ BUFORD