Hand dance is a form of swing, and a close cousin of the jitterbug.
All are descended from the Lindy hop, created by Shorty Snowden, an African-American dancer of the big band era. The National Hand Dance Association estimates classes in churches, community centers, and clubs across the country have grown 300 percent in four years. The classes are particularly popular with young adults, who are beginning to add their own steps and turns, says Smooth and EZ's Lawrence Bradford. Older adults are now joining classes to update themselves. Bradford believes his younger students like the novelty of actually holding their partners' hands.