From 1919 to 1927, Breakaway (the original swing dance) was like couple Charleston with a twist. Breakaway was Charleston danced mostly in closed position, with occasional breakaways into open position so that dancers could show off their tap dance skills. Breakaway was a black dance, danced to colored or blues music. The center of Breakaway was Harlem.

In the middle 1920s, George Snowden was the reigning king of Breakaway in New York City competitions.

By the 1930s, Breakaway had been incorporated into Lindy Hop, which replaced it as a social dance.

External links

• Street Swing Dance History: Breakaway (http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3brkawy.htm)