Lindy Hop History
In 1925 the stage was set, and a new dance style began to emerge. By that time, the blending of African and European dance had been simmering for over 75 years. The natural freeform style of African dance adopted the European notion of partnered or coupled dancing. The Ragtime Jazz and other popular music of the day delivered rhythms and tempos tailor made for the fast footwork and kick outs of the Charleston, and the Jazz/Tap patterns of the Black Bottom. In early competitions, efforts to out shine one another on the dance floor led these coupled dancers to "break-away" from their coupled embrace and perform their fancy steps in the early Jazz/Tap tradition. While it is not known exactly who it was that performed that first break-away, we do know that whoever it was, gave birth to modern swing dancing. (Source: www.kclindyhop.org)
The Lindy Hop (or Lindy) is a partner dance that originated in 1920's and 30's Harlem, New York. The Dance itself consists of both 8 and 6 count steps and it includes footwork borrowed from the Charleston and Tap. The dance can be wild and spontaneous, with frenzied kicks and body movements, or it can be cool and sophisticated. The most important aspects of it are that it is danced with your partner, to the music, and that you enjoy it! (Source: www.lindycircle.com)
July 4, 1928. On the 18th day of a non-stop dance marathon at the Marathon Casino, the NYC Board of Health had finally closed down the event. Four of the original 80 couples were left standing. Contestant number 7, Savoy Ballroom dance star "Shorty" George Snowden, and his partner shared the prize with the other three couples. Earlier, when the event was still in full swing, people could post a small cash prize with the emcee for a brief mini-contest among the survivors. This was the backdrop in which Shorty's spontaneous throw-out breakaway, and a flash footwork improv, capturing media attention. "What are you doing with your feet?" asked the Fox Movie Tone News interviewer. "The Lindy Hop," replied Shorty George -- Charles A. Lindbergh (aka "Lindy") had recently "hopped" the Atlantic, landing on May 21, 1927. From Shorty George's ad hoc reply, the Lindy Hop was officially given a name. (Source: www.just-the-swing.com)
A variety of Lindy styles have survived into the 21st century. Some refer to only one of these as "Savoy Style," whereas several current major Lindy styles originated in that famous dance hall. Let's also keep in mind, that as far as number of dance styles go, there were in fact over 500 unique "Savoy Styles." Numerous other popular nationally and internationally known instructors teach historically accurate and contemporary evolutions of Lindy variations. An early divergence in "Savoy Style" occurred when frisky Frank Manning debuted the first aerial move (a back-to-back flip) at a Savoy contest against teammate "Shorty" George Snowden. From that time forward, many teenagers began to explore acrobatic and dance moves. Others, including Shorty though, dedicated themselves to moves that stayed on the floor. In the 21st century, repeated injuries prompted some the most gifted legends to stay on the ground and leave the more high flying moves to a younger generation. However, aerials in varying degrees remain the inviolable birthright of the young and frisky.
Two famous Lindy hop groups that arose were the Congaroo dancers, a group that entertained after the Second World War, and Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. The latter were famous for their crazy moves, some even throwing partners up to eight feet in the air. Formed by Herbert White, this group consisted solely of youngsters and was a training ground for those who wanted to adopt dancing as a professional gig. The nature of the lindy hop can again be seen in the way these youngsters danced. Most of their moved were literally improvised, and there are countless turns and swings that have been lost due to time. While set routines were laid out, lindy hopper were judged by how much they could add to these routines, not by how well they did the routine itself.