Swing and Lindy Hop Dance History Information

This Page courtesy of Gretchen, from the Cat's Corner Website in Kansas City.

What is Lindy Hop?
Lindy Hop is the original style of swing dance, created in the 30's and 40's and danced to the big band music of the era. "Shorty" George Snowden gave the name "Lindy Hop" to the dance in 1927, in reference to Charles Lindbergh's recent "hop" across the Atlantic. This new "Lindy Hop" combined elements of jazz dance with earlier dances such as the Big Apple, Charleston, and Texas Tommy to create an energetic, exciting dance that is still enjoyed all over the world.

Lindy Hop moves include:
- Floor Steps. The most basic of these is the Swingout, which allows partners to move away from each during the dance, giving it the unique "Lindy" look. Lindy Hop borrows moves from many dance styles, including the Charleston, Texas Tommy, and even Tango.
- Shine Steps. These include dozens of fun steps such as Suzi Q's, Truckin, and Twist which allow one or both partners to really "shine" on the dance floor.
- Air Steps. Frankie Manning created the first air step (a back to back flip) during a dance contest in the mid 30's. Lindy Hoppers have been flying through the air during jams and performances ever since.

Lindy Hop's birthplace was the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. On a dance floor big enough to hold 4000 people, Lindy Hoppers competed in massive dance contests every week as two big bands (one on each end of the dance floor) played. The very best dancers formed a dance troupe called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers who performed shows until World War II. In the Savoy Ballroom, these dancers had a special area of the dance floor all to themselves, known as the Cat's Corner, where only the best Lindy Hoppers were allowed to jam.

Two main styles of Lindy Hop (also called Jitterbug) developed during this early era: Frankie Manning's Savoy Style and Dean Collins' Hollywood Style. Later on, during the 40's and 50's, other styles of swing dance would evolve out of Lindy Hop, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rockabilly Swing, Boogie Woogie, Ballroom Jive, Shag, Bop, Balboa, Imperial, Whip and Push.

Today, Lindy Hop is alive and well, being spread by a new generation of dancers who remain true to the original spirit of the dance while creating new and exciting variations that keep it as fresh as the day Shorty George first named it.

Still have questions? Try these links:

1. Where can I learn Lindy Hop in the Kansas City area? Cat's Corner Calendar.
2. How about more information on the history of Lindy Hop? Cornell Site.
3. How about more on Savoy Style Lindy Hop? Savoy Style Site.
4. How about more on Hollywood Style Lindy Hop? Hollywood Jitterbugs Site.
5. Where's some info on about vintage clothes? Vintage Clothing Page.
6. Where can I buy Zoot Suits and 40's Suits on the web? El Pachuco Site. Zoot Suits Store.
7. How can I take care of my shoes? And what should I get? Dance Shoes Page.
8. Where can I buy dance shoes and clothing on the web? DanceStore.com. Toe2Toe Site.
9. Where can I buy swing music on the web? Hepcat Records Site.
10. Where can I buy movies with swing dancing in them on the web? Starlight Roofs Site.
11. I've just started learning ... is it me or is this a hard dance? Learning Lindy Hop.
12. How do I know if I'm a real Lindy Hopper? You know when ...
13. I walk the walk, but how can I talk the talk? Swing Jive.

		Sonic Swing Resources - Swing History
Sonic Swing Swing in SF Resources Music Column Swing History Dancing Tips Music Suggestions Swing Links Home		This Page courtesy of Gretchen, from the Cat's Corner Website in Kansas City. What is Lindy Hop? Lindy Hop is the original style of swing dance, created in the 30's and 40's and danced to the big band music of the era. "Shorty" George Snowden gave the name "Lindy Hop" to the dance in 1927, in reference to Charles Lindbergh's recent "hop" across the Atlantic. This new "Lindy Hop" combined elements of jazz dance with earlier dances such as the Big Apple, Charleston, and Texas Tommy to create an energetic, exciting dance that is still enjoyed all over the world. Lindy Hop moves include: - Floor Steps. The most basic of these is the Swingout, which allows partners to move away from each during the dance, giving it the unique "Lindy" look. Lindy Hop borrows moves from many dance styles, including the Charleston, Texas Tommy, and even Tango. - Shine Steps. These include dozens of fun steps such as Suzi Q's, Truckin, and Twist which allow one or both partners to really "shine" on the dance floor. - Air Steps. Frankie Manning created the first air step (a back to back flip) during a dance contest in the mid 30's. Lindy Hoppers have been flying through the air during jams and performances ever since. Lindy Hop's birthplace was the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. On a dance floor big enough to hold 4000 people, Lindy Hoppers competed in massive dance contests every week as two big bands (one on each end of the dance floor) played. The very best dancers formed a dance troupe called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers who performed shows until World War II. In the Savoy Ballroom, these dancers had a special area of the dance floor all to themselves, known as the Cat's Corner, where only the best Lindy Hoppers were allowed to jam. Two main styles of Lindy Hop (also called Jitterbug) developed during this early era: Frankie Manning's Savoy Style and Dean Collins' Hollywood Style. Later on, during the 40's and 50's, other styles of swing dance would evolve out of Lindy Hop, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rockabilly Swing, Boogie Woogie, Ballroom Jive, Shag, Bop, Balboa, Imperial, Whip and Push. Today, Lindy Hop is alive and well, being spread by a new generation of dancers who remain true to the original spirit of the dance while creating new and exciting variations that keep it as fresh as the day Shorty George first named it. Still have questions? Try these links: 1. Where can I learn Lindy Hop in the Kansas City area? Cat's Corner Calendar. 2. How about more information on the history of Lindy Hop? Cornell Site. 3. How about more on Savoy Style Lindy Hop? Savoy Style Site. 4. How about more on Hollywood Style Lindy Hop? Hollywood Jitterbugs Site. 5. Where's some info on about vintage clothes? Vintage Clothing Page. 6. Where can I buy Zoot Suits and 40's Suits on the web? El Pachuco Site. Zoot Suits Store. 7. How can I take care of my shoes? And what should I get? Dance Shoes Page. 8. Where can I buy dance shoes and clothing on the web? DanceStore.com. Toe2Toe Site. 9. Where can I buy swing music on the web? Hepcat Records Site. 10. Where can I buy movies with swing dancing in them on the web? Starlight Roofs Site. 11. I've just started learning ... is it me or is this a hard dance? Learning Lindy Hop. 12. How do I know if I'm a real Lindy Hopper? You know when ... 13. I walk the walk, but how can I talk the talk? Swing Jive.
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