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Savoy…it’s a popular word in Lindy Hop circles. It’s a style, it’s a place, it’s a great tune by Lucky Millinder.  But what is it? Well, it was a Ballroom on 596 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York City and one of the most popular dance venues in Harlem between the 1920s to the 1950s. It was also one of the few places where white and black Americans danced together. Of  a weekend you might find yourself dancing to bandleaders such as Chick Webb, Cab Calloway, Count Basie and Duke Ellington while the dancers perfected a new style of dance that was yet to be named. Among the countless dance styles originated and developed at the Savoy were: The Flying Charleston, The Lindy Hop, The Stomp, The Big Apple, Jitterbug Jive to name but a few.

This great clip on Youtube gives you a sneaky peek inside what some people refer to as the  “mother church of swing dance.” Enjoy

You can find out more about the ‘world’s most beautiful ballroom‘ here www.savoyballroom.com

A lot of footage from the recent Blues baby Blues festival is popping up on YouTube and I just couldn’t resist sharing this video from the Strictly Blues
finals featuring the slowest aerial in history? I don’t know, you decide. But the first couple definitely make you want to dance in Heidelberg in January!

Ever swung out the Muppets theme song? No? Neither have I. But after watching this clip of William and Maeva in the Lindy Shock 2010 showcase I am starting to think that I might have never lived! Watch them goof around to a sort of wierd swing/rick and roll megamix. Persoanlly, I love a good megamix. Maybe it’s my age.

So we’ve had the wonderful Xavier Shay in town recently and far be to from us to advocate shamelss product placement we just couldn’t resist telling you about this super fun I-Phone app he made. It’s called Swing Bingo. The aim is to find the right partners to help clear your board when you’re out on the social dance floor. Select Lead or Follow and away you go, all for about 1.25 of your British pounds…I am up for the challenge. How about you?

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Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair

The Urdang, The Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1

London’s leading vintage fashion, accessory & textile event proudly present 50 of the finest dealers from all over the globe!

Sunday 26th September | 11:00-16:30 £4 entry | 1800s-1980s | Mens & womenswear | Tea Room

Event schedule

3 rooms of frocks, tops, shoes, bags, jewellery, boots, caps, shawls, hosiery, knitwear, coats, gloves, ballgowns, fabric, buttons, trimmings, lace, beads, leather, shirts, jackets, suits, tweeds, jumpers, top hats & tails…

On-the-spot alterations booth or revamp a classic with a modern fabric, vintage makeovers, Bex’s fashion sketches and Ms Stephanie Ware performance extraordinaire will entertain you in the tea room des artist serving delicious food & refreshments.

Floor plans available at reception to guide you through our halls of vintage

Keep checking the website for further updates

A treasure trove of inspiration for every seasons collections…

(10:30 admission for designers & trade)

Nearest tube: Angel (northern line) Farringdon (Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Circle) Kings Cross (eurostar)
Buses: 38, 19, 243, 55

This is one NOT to be missed! Time out

www.clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk

So here’s one that’s been doing the rounds lately, and with good reason! Max Pitruzzella & Annie Trudeau in the International Lindy Hop Championships 2010 ILHC Showcase. I guarantee you’ll want to watch this more than once…

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Zoot Suits…they’re a bit like Marmite – either you love them or (like me) you don’t. But ever wondered where they came from? Well this post doesn’t tell you. But if you’re interested in finding out more about the mob, Mexicans and this strange Swing fashion then this amazing post on Queens Of Vintage is well worth a read…

“During the Forties, American teens were at odds with the adults. They went to clubs that served over sized menus and soda and would listen to music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong. They would go dancing in ballrooms, for walks with their sweethearts and took advantage of their time as youths. They danced the jitterbug, wore saddle shoes, over sized skirts, and Zoot Suits along with wide brimmed hats. Our LA correspondent and Zoot Suit lover Vanessa Sandoval takes a look back in time.” Read more…

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He’s called Fabrizio and he has a hot military tie tuck

She’s from Florence and she ties a mean headscarf…

We were dancing in some pretty wierd costumes at the Secret Garden Party but nothing as strange as this 1942 Soundie….Jewel McGowan and Dean Collins swinging out in wierd white wigs to a nonsense song by the Kingsmen. You got to love it.

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Now I love Youtube, but if you’ve ever fancied owning some classic swing clips the Ithaca Swing Dance have three on their site for download. Grab  yourself Hellzapoppin’, After Seben and Killer Diller all for free. Visit the Ithaca Swing Dance site here.