This past weekend, we participated in some swing events around Charleston for the 2008
Charleston Lindy Exchange, hosted by the
Charleston Swing Dance Association. We danced at several venues and saw alot of old friends and made lots of new ones. Friday night, we danced to the sound of the
Joe Clarke Big Band at the Charleston Visitors Center...it was one of the best swing events we've ever been to in Charleston. I am so thankful for everyone who worked so hard on making this weekend so special....and for my husband for going with me.
A little history...The history of swing dates back to the 1920's, where the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston and the Lindy Hop. Here in this picture you can see ladies dancing "the Charleston" to the sounds of the Jenkins Orphanage Band.
In the mid 1930's, Herbert White, head bouncer in the
New York City Savoy Ballroom, formed a Lindy Hop dance troupe called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. One of the most important members of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers was Frankie Manning. The "Hoppers" were showcased in the following films: "A Day at the Races" (1937), "Hellzapoppin" (1941), "Sugar Hill Masquerade" (1942), and "Killer Diller" (1948). Here is one of the most famous photos of Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson in "Hellzapoppin".
Though the music and attire has changed a bit over the last 60 years, the dancing continues on....and on...and on! Here are some photos from this year's CHEX - wish I had taken more, but I was too busy on the dance floor! : )
This past weekend, we participated in some swing events around Charleston for the 2008 Charleston Lindy Exchange, hosted by the Charleston Swing Dance Association. We danced at several venues and saw alot of old friends and made lots of new ones. Friday night, we danced to the sound of the Joe Clarke Big Band at the Charleston Visitors Center...it was one of the best swing events we've ever been to in Charleston. I am so thankful for everyone who worked so hard on making this weekend so special....and for my husband for going with me.
A little history...The history of swing dates back to the 1920's, where the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston and the Lindy Hop. Here in this picture you can see ladies dancing "the Charleston" to the sounds of the Jenkins Orphanage Band. 
In the mid 1930's, Herbert White, head bouncer in the New York City Savoy Ballroom, formed a Lindy Hop dance troupe called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. One of the most important members of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers was Frankie Manning. The "Hoppers" were showcased in the following films: "A Day at the Races" (1937), "Hellzapoppin" (1941), "Sugar Hill Masquerade" (1942), and "Killer Diller" (1948). Here is one of the most famous photos of Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson in "Hellzapoppin".
Though the music and attire has changed a bit over the last 60 years, the dancing continues on....and on...and on! Here are some photos from this year's CHEX - wish I had taken more, but I was too busy on the dance floor! : )
No comments:
Post a Comment