Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
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.
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
"Shorty" George Snowden and Big Bea
Shorty George Snowden is widely cited as one of the top dancers at the Savoy between 1926 and the early 1930s. He formed the first professional Lindy Hop troupe, the Shorty Snowden Dancers and is widely recognised for two things; the Shorty George dance step and coning the term Lindy Hop.
His famous dance step ‘The Shorty George’ – in which his bent his knees, swinging from side to side, exaggerate his closeness to the ground- is a parody of himself and his general tininess!
George was barely five feet tall. But he didn’t let that stop him. His dance partner Big Bea was huge in contrast and paired up they were considered comic dancing phenomenon. They often ended their routines in a comic move in which she carried him off the dance floor on her back.
Take a look at this clip from 1937 which shows George and Bea dancing…
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
So you want to learn to swing dance? But you’re a bit pushed for time? Maybe you’re not sure it’s for you? Or maybe you want to nail the fundamentals before you commit to a class? Well whether you’re a workaholic, a commitment phobe or a perfectionist we have just the right thing for you. Yes, we are SO good to you that we are willing to teach you everything we know about beginner swing in ONE DAY. Our Learn to Dance in a Day workshops have been getting people off to a flying start throughout the first half of 2010. In fact they are so popular, we have been forced to run more! You may be arriving a lindy flop but by the time you leave you’ll be able to lindy hop…
This weekend we are looking for leaders for the Brick Lane workshop but we have loads more workshops booked in across London. Check out our Workshops page for more information.
Even owls can Lindy hop! Don’t believe us? See for yourself…
What are you still doing here? Go book!
Friday, March 5th, 2010
LIFE magazine, August 1938
“Jitterbugs are extreme Swing addicts who get so excited by its music that they cannot stand or be still while it is being played. They must prace around in wild exhibitionist dances.”
This article is a really interesting insight into the Jitterbug dance craze was perceived by the Jazz scene. Apparently to the ‘hot musician’ the Jitterbugs are plain poison! A rowdy crowd only humoured because they helped to bring prosperity to Swing music. It really is an interesting insight into a different era. It’s quite clear that the author believe that Jitterbug is the worst thing that could have ever happened to Jazz! Perhaps the funniest bit is the photo on page 57 where they have tried to illustrate the effect of Swing on a Jitterbugger. The poor woman looks deranged!
The whole magazine is packed with great articles but this is part of a special feature on Swing – as ‘the hottest and best kind of Jazz reaches it’s Golden Age.’
At the end of the article LIFE compile a list of swing records – apparently from ‘considered opinions of experts!’ ‘They form the nucleus of a good collection for those who want to know more about hot music.’
If you are a Spotify user you can listen to their list of ‘30 Great Hot Records’ here