Resources for Lindy Hoppers

Update, 2022:  There’s a current conversation around white appropriation and cultural surrogacy of the Lindy Hop that I believe is important for the white community around the world to engage with and think about. Frankie Manning, someone I considered to be a mentor as well as a friend, tended to avoid these sorts of conflicts and focus on the joy this dance brings to so many around the globe.  However, I do believe (as a young Lindy teacher said to me today) that a big chunk of the heart of this dance gets lost without an understanding of the historical context in which it developed, and the communities from which it came.

My Original Site: From Hoppin’ newsletters (1990s) to Frankie Manning’s Commemorative Book (2014), the following document some of the people and events from around the world that helped make the second wave of Lindy Hop a global phenomenon.  I’ve also included a couple of YouTube clips of Hellzapoppin’ below, the video that (for me), captures the joy, energy, and excitement that helped make Lindy Hop an international phenomenon; that helped inspire a whole new generation of dancers; and that inspired me to create a workshop for business leaders using this dance as the metaphor to explore leading and following.

HOPPIN’!

The International Lindy Hop Newsletter

In the 1990s, a small but passionate group of volunteers from around the world gathered and published information about the fledgling worldwide Lindy Hop scene as it was then.

Highlights from these 9 issues, each 16 pages except the first (8) and last (24), are listed below.  Click on thumbnail to open and see the complete issue.

Volume 1, Issue 1 Jitterbugs Swing Masters Jam 1993 Interview with Erin Stevens & Stephen Mitchell Zoots & Spangles European Tour Worldwide Listings …and more
Volume 1, Issue 2 Lindy Hoppers win Jive Competition Frankie’s 80th Birthday Interview with Norma Miller Spotlight on the Rhythm Hot Shots Lindy Bits …and more
Volume 1, Issue 3 Frankie’s 80th Birthday Issue Defining a Lindy Legend The London Scene Spotlight on the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Stories from and about Frankie …and more
Volume 1, Issue 4 You Just Can’t Top the Lindy Hop Why do YOU Lindy — a Survey The Swedes Talked to Al Minns Spotlight on Zoots and Spangles Lindy bits …and more
Volume 2, Issue 1 Lindy Hoppers in Switzerland Why Do YOU Lindy — Survey, part 2 Herräng Dance Camp At the Feet of the Elders; profile of Mickey Davidson A Brief History of the Zoot Suit …and more
Volume 2, Issue 2 Lindy Hop in California That Swing Thing Sandra Gibson, a New York Original Camp and Event Reviews Spotlight on the Sugarfoot Stompers …and more
Volume 2, Issue 3 Lindy Hops Another Ocean – Singapore Swings Lady Hop Day, Stockholm What is Le Roc? Swedish Song List Estonia Swings …and more
Volume 2, Issue 4 World Lindy Hop Federation Forming Lindy History — Mildred Cruse City Reviews:  Amsterdam, Swansea, Seattle, & Sydney First World Lindy Hop Championship …and more
Volume 3, Issue 1 The Hoppin’ Birthday Party George Leroy Lloyd LA Swings Out London Lindy Hop Festival Virtual Dancing: Introduction of the Internet …and more (with an insert about the World Lindy Hop Federation)

FRANKIE100 COMMEMORATIVE BOOK

Frankie Manning was one of the early Lindy Hoppers, the originator of the aerial, and an inspiration to many thousands of the second wave of Lindy Hoppers around the world.   From the mid-1980s right up to his death in April 2009, just a month shy of his 95th birthday, Frankie traveled the world sharing his experiences of the heyday (1920s to 1940s) of the dance, the music, and the scene he grew up in.

In May 2014, Lindy Hoppers from around the world gathered in New York City to honor Frankie, and share our love of the Lindy Hop.  This is the Commemorative Book of what would have been Frankie’s 100th birthday.

Click on the picture to download the contents.

HELLZAPOPPIN’

The following clips show Lindy in its heyday. There’s a short clip showing just the dancing; the longer clip also has a great scene that includes music from Slim & Slam and other notable acts of the time.  That’s Frankie, in the dark (blue) overalls.  He was in his 20s at the time.

The dancers are The Harlem Congaroo Dancers (a.k.a. Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers):

• William Downes/Overalls & Frances “Mickey” Jones (0:39).
• Billy Ricker/Chef’s Hat & Norma Miller (1:09).
• Al Minns/White Coat-Black Pants & Willa Mae Ricker (1:29).
• Frankie Manning/Overalls & Ann Johnson (1:55). (original citation here)

AFTER SEBEN

This classic clip from 1929 was recently posted in Bobby White’s Swungover newsletter.

THE DANCE OF LEADERSHIP

The Dance of Leadership was designed for business people (artistic and otherwise) interested in the dynamics of leading, following, and team work.  It takes strong followers to maximize the effectiveness of strong leaders, and the best leaders know when to relinquish their lead.  In this workshop we explore this concept experientially, using partner dance as the metaphor.  Contact me directly for more information.