Iin 1937 some Los Angeles dancers disapproved the new jitterbug then in vogue
and formed their own club. In contests, these "smooth dancers" applied
chalk to the heels of the men's shoes and disqualified those
who marked chalk on the floor. They formalized the club as National Smooth Dancers in 1938,
but temporarily disbanded during World War II. Over the years, the club expanded as
new chapters formed.
Today our club is more modern in its style of smooth dancing.
We still waltz, foxtrot, quickstep and tango (without the chalk), but also
do cha cha, rumba, jive, west and east coast swing, mambo,
as well as hustle, night club two step and others.
An
August 1962 article from Ballroom Dance Magazine describes
how National Smooth Dancers began. See also
a more detailed history
for when chapters formed and folded, with many convention and Board Meeting themes, and
lists of Past Queens for each chapter, and when they were queen,
and Current Queens.
