Midsummer Night Swing 2013: Collegiate shag

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Instructors: Jaime Shannon and Tony Fraser; performers, choreographers and teachers (tonyandjaime.com)

What it is: An early form of swing that pairs well with up-tempo jazz because of its high-energy stepping and bouncing.

What the name means: “We call it shag now, but back [in the late ’20s], shag was just a word that was dance-related. ‘We’re going to go out for a shag’ could be talking about doing a fox-trot or a waltz. It just depended on the music,” says Fraser.

When to do it: July 4, with Battle of the Big Bands: The George Gee Swing Orchestra vs. Mora’s Modern Rhythmists. George Gee represents New York against California’s Dean Mora in this friendly bicoastal bout. Get into the Independence Day spirit by entering the red, white and blue vintage-costume contest.