Disco Dancing and Clubs

In the US (and later, Europe and the rest of the world), the disco scene in the 1970s centred around nightclubs, discotheques, and private loft parties where DJs would play a continuous mix of records (typically 12") to keep people dancing all night long. Many of these clubs had sophisticated lighting systems that played effects to the beat of the music, along with powerful PA system. Famous disco bars in the US included New York's Paradise Garage, Crisco Disco and the celeb-filled Studio 54.

Dance schools began to cater for clients who wanted to learn disco dancing, and many discotheques also had their own instructors to teach the hustle, the disco cha-cha, the bump and disco line dances. Disco dance steps often shared common elements, such as classic Latin hip and pelvic movements, stepping side to side and revolving the hands and raising the arms in time to the beat. A number of professional dance troupes became popular during this period, such as Pan's People, Hot Gossip and Legs & Co.