What Is Dean Collins Shim Sham Version? The Shim Sham originated as a tap dance choreographed by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant in 1928. Intended for a show finale that could be done by all the performers, it was adopted b... more »y many dancers and became one of the most well-known and wide-spread routines of all time. You may be familiar with the tap version or the non-tap version that Frankie Manning made popular teaching at many swing dance camps and workshops all over the world. The Dean Collins version of the Shim Sham is also a non-tap version based on the original Shim Sham with spiced up footwork and additional steps extending the routine. Dean Collins was the most influential Lindy Hop dancer on the West Coast and played an essential role in bringing the New York style of Swing dancing to the West Coast in 1938. If you want to improve your dancing we highly recommend learning and practicing Dean's Shim Sham routine. The steps and transitions might be a bit tricky, but you won't improve by doing only the things that come easily! They will break everything down so that you can be part of the group the next time when Dean's Shim Sham is called. Content: (listed without repeating breaks): Chorus 1: Stomp, Kick-Ball-Change Break, Full Break, Pushes, Cross Over, Tackie Annie, Half-Break, Twist-Break. Chorus 2: Suzy Q, Slide To The Side, Forward Crosses, Shorty George, Tabby The Cat, Forward Backward Crosses, Double Kick Break. Chorus 3: Savoy Kicks, Switch Kick Break, Savoy Kicks, Double-Triple Break, Click Break, 10-Count Savoy Kicks, Walk Off, Alternative Ending This video also includes special bonus material and a 30 minute documentary about the history of the Shim Sham including interviews with original dancers like Leonard Reed, Bart Bartolo, Bobby Hefner, Freda Angela, Gil Brady, Mary Collins, and Nick Grecko.« less
