Repeating pattern - Strolling
- A Stroll is danced (strolled) by individuals who follow a syncronised pattern of steps and therefore move as a group. This repeating pattern is what makes Strolling different to Line Dancing, which has choreographed routines.
Although some other strolls can be seen at vintage events, the Rock n Roll Stroll is the most popular and is seen at all events. It's done to slower music predominantly by women, and the DJ will usually play a few strolling songs one after another to allow the dancers to stay in position between the songs. You can join in at any time once the strolling has started, but dancefloors can sometimes become full very quickly.
At events with less emphasis on the scene and culture, you may see the Charleston Stroll being danced to faster music as well as variations which allow couples to do a paired stroll together, either to the Rock n Roll and Rockabilly Stroll, or to a song called the Rock n Roll Waltz. -
Some more experienced dancers add their own footwork styling to make the dance look different, but they still follow the same pattern as everyone else so the group remains syncronised.
At some more Traditional UK events it may be frowned upon for men to Stroll, but there are pleny of events where this isn't the case both in the UK and round the rest of the world.
Note: Unless you can stroll and understand it's movement pattern, it's better not to walk across a dancefloor full of strollers - especially if you're carrying a drink.-
Rock n Roll and Rockabilly dancing also includes Bopping, where everyone dances individually to certain songs and Jiving, which is for couples.