Thursday, November 8, 2007

Learning Lindy

In the 20s and 30s, Harlem was bursting with new life. Jazz, the black literary renaissance and new swing dance the Lindy hop swept through the city and the nation forever changing American culture. Lindy hop or the subway swing was a fusion of popular swing dances like the Charleston's and African dancing. The name Lindy hop was thought to be coined when famous dancer Shorty George, while dancing in 1928 dance marathon, was asked by a New York Times Reporter what he was dancing. With out missing a beat he replied,"The Lindy Hop... Were flyin' just like Lindy did!" He was referring the Charles Lindbergh's famous quote about flying non-stop from New York to Paris as doing the 'Lindy hop.'

The dance is most recognizable by its sling shot movement in which the the lead throws out and pulls back in the follow in one basic count. The the most prominent styling is a very cool, grounded, with a kind of gorilla bounce. In this video Randall Barnes and Rachel Holland teach the basic footwork and styling technique.

2 comments:

Kristen said...

I was convinced the Lindy Hop was named after you Lindsey :-D

P.S. I finally figured this comment posting thing out!

UGA Ballroom Dance Club said...

Ha ha that would be awesome :)