Hoppin' Birthday, Frankie! We Love You! Who's that cat? Why, it's the young with partner Ann Johnson, in action at Big George's Restaurant in Corona, NY. Sketch by Porl Smith, based on an unattributed (boo, hiss, shame on those responsible) photo from the cover of Jookin', The Rise of Social Formations in African-American Culture by Katrine Hazzard-Gordon. Inside Frankie-isms: The Defining of a Lindy Legend Ernie Smith paints a word portrait of our Man of the Month (page 4) The.London Scene There's a lot happening in the London dance scene ... (page JO) Spotlight on The . Lindy Hoppers A troupe in the home of the {page 6) The Secret . of Life Margaret Batiuchok shares experiences of Frankie (page 12) , New York Where it all began - what's happening today. (page 3) The Feet Dance - And Sometimes the Heart With Them More of Frankie's stories... (page 8) and more...

©1993 Dancing Star Productions except where held by author {noted). All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying. recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher. Editorial Hoppin' Spring '94

Letters to (and from) the Editor Dear Reader: around the world supporting and contributing to There's a lot happening around the world in this newsletter and the continuation of Lindy. I Lindy. As we went to press, we heard of an think I speak for all Hoppin' readers in express­ Hoppin' up-surge of interest in the LA area � new ing gratitude to all contributors. We each have clubs opened and more likely to open. our own interests and talents, and there is Hoppin' is now truly international,with our enough room in the world of Lindy for all of us. Publisher and Editor: firstAsian subscriber and listings. And interest If you have a talent or idea to contribute, go for Deborah Huisken in the up-coming CAN'T TOP THE LINDY it! HOP birth-day celebration is as much in Lindy Here's to all of us putting aside our International Correspondent: as in Frankie Manning himself - some differences in New York to celebrate the 80th Rob van Haaren registrants didn'.t even know who Frankie was! birthday of a very special man who's spent the The down side is, in the last issue we better part of those 80 years living that dance. Writers: inadvertently included some inaccurate Paris Such dedication and passion deserve Margaret Batiuchok, Deborah Huisken, Porl club information. Some people were upset that recognition. Let's celebrate the dance that has Smith, Ernie Smith. all their performances and activities weren't meant so much in Frankie's life and in the lives listed, others perceived Hoppin' tO be biased in of others, many of whom he's touched directly. Additional Contributions: favourof one group or person ot another. For the rest of it, to paraphraseFloyd Striegel at John Brooks, Jeanefer Jean-Charles, Carol Hoppin' aims to be by, for, and about the the end of our last phone con-versation, "forget Clark, Monica Coe, Tricia Darnell, Eileen Lindy community. We work tO be as complete the bullshit, Feeney, Jan Forsell, James Hamilron, and unbiased as possible. We include every­ Have fun, and Richard Harris, Fred Hunt, Craig thing for which we have space and which we keep dancing." Hutchinson, Frankie Manning, Ellen Miller, think is of interest to our international Cynthia Millman, Julie Oram, Odella audience. Schattin, Simon Selmon, Porl Smith, Rob van There are a lot of talented, energetic people Haaren, Lennart Westerlund, Chester Whitmore, Valerie Wilson. Cristobel at Dear Hoppin' Wayzgoose Typesetters; Phil at Abceda .. .I feel I must point out a typographical Every movement of the hips, of the body, is an General Printers. error in my article on Paris. Due to our attitude, expressive of the lives they were Jiving misunder-standing on the 'phone, the credit then. Editorial Assistance: for the map should be attributed to The Night --Jeanefer Jean-Charles Simon Bell, Becky Crane Club Map of , and not Holland! I London, UK guess it was an easy mistake considering what .feanefe1· · We agree - that's part of the reason Consultant: a cosmopolitan publication Hoppin' is. we' re writing this newsletter. Thanks for affir­ Christian Batchelor E.S. Campbell was a prolific cartoonist and ming our sense of an integral part of this dance. illustrator for Esquire in the '30s, and probably Distribution: the best friend of . He produced Dear Hoppin' Managers: Lennart Westerlund, Sweden; at least one drawing a day, and the map is Do other teachers exist in France? We have Nancy Sandburg, USA. Masters: Patricia typical of his style. As far as I know, h.e spent the passion to become good Lindy Hop dancers. Brennan, Melinda Comeau, Freddie very little time in Holland! I also teach and rock 'n roll [which I Haugan, Craig Hutchinson, Sing Lim, Yours, Porl Smith have done] for 10 years, but I have found new Cyrilla Smith, Porl Smith, Rob van Haaren, London, UK motivation with Lindy. Chester Whitmore. Commercial: Dance Port - I wondered that there was so much I hope to see you soon, Franck Balbin Books Ltd. Subscriptions: Caroline Cole, swinging acth·ity in Holland ·in the 40s· - so Lyon, FRANCE Fred Hunt Marcus Koch, Beckie much for that article idea! 1hank you for Franck - You may he in luck. Richard Dixon, Menckhoff, Erin Stevens, Tim the DJ. pointing out the mistake with such tact. Ed. an accomplished Lindy Hopper. has recently moved 10 Southem France (see Lindy Listings). Submissions: Dear Hoppin' His energy and enthusiasm for the dance will, Submissions 10 Hoppin', c/o Dancing Star ...Hoppin' is a great idea... I'm sure, match yours. Ed. Productions, at our NEW ADDRESS! P.O. Kurt Bieller & Regina Smith Box 6008, London W2 5ZY UK. phone Vienna, AUSTRIA Dear Hoppin' +44 71 221 8331. Deadline for Summer I've been meaning to write to you since I saw issue: July I, 1994. Dear Hoppin' the first copy of Hoppin•, to tell you what a fabulous job you did on it. It was very informa­ Advertising: I was thinking about the article [in the Winter issue] on the other day. tive, and definitely filled a need. Simon Bell, Judy Martin, Angela Andrew,. It occurred to me that to understand Lindy, it's I like the truly international flavor of Hoppin', Editorial calendar, rates, and deadlines imponant to read the stories about that time, to and it was really interesting to read. Nice available on request from Hoppin' (see imagine what it was like to be alittle girl, layout, typeface, etc. too. Submissions above). moving every month, watching her mother go Good luck with future issues. I sincerely wish through those difficulties. Then an offer like Hoppin' a long, Jong life. the one from the Savoy comes along... Most Best, Cynthia Millman © 1994 Dancing Srnr Production:-; except where held by of the early Lindy Hoppers came from that New York, USA author. All righl� rt:served. Responsibilicy for veracity of infonnation wi1hin lhe anic.:les is the author's alone kind of background. You have to understand Hoppin' and Dancing Star Produclions accepts no liability. the social context to understand this style.

Page2 Special City Review Hoppin' Spring ·94

New -York, New. York

Some old-time dancers feel the Contacts: NY scene has fractured, that the Ballroom Review. 60 Gramercy energy for Lindy is diminishing. Park North, NY, NY 10010. For Others say West Coast has also in the NY, New crested and is diminishing, and Jersey, Connecticut area. Nick that where within the past ten Ullo, phone +I 212 673 3442 years one might dance most Mama Lou Parks Dancers, nights of the week, today the Richard Harris, +I 201 440 1268, scene has consolidated around wk +I 212 489 7400, or Debra two or three solid evenings, with Youngblood, +I 212 862 8009. demanding jobs and recession New York Swing Dance Society/ causing people to be less active. Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. P.O. Nevertheless, there are numer­ Box 1512, NY NY 10009-1512. ous dance studios and organisa­ Promote Swing dance and music. tions giving classes, series, and NYSDS - Bob Crease phone + l one-off Lindy workshops, often 212 696 9737. BALH - Cynthia taking advantage of teachers in Millman, +l 212 989 2315 town from outside NY. Various supper or dinner/dancing clubs Venues: ASDC Winnera in the Lindy Hop Division, April 1994. (/, r) Ivan & advertise live music from the '40s NYSDS Savoy Sundays (19:00- Elizabeth Berggren, Louise Thwaite & a bearded Simon Selmon, MC and earlier. 24:00), Continental Club, 17 Irving Kenny Wetzel, Maxine Green & Warren Heyes, unidentified. Photo Place at 15th St. Live bands; cost courtesy of Simon Selmon. Hoppin' is told that our best bet fordancing Lindy in New York is $12. phone +l 212 696 9737 With New York hosting the CAN'T Swing Dance Championships. go to the Sunday night Continental *Monday (21:00-23:30), Well's TOP THE LINDY HOP celebra­ Winners in this year's couples Club dance, get Ballroom Review, Restaurant, 132 St. & 7th Ave. tions, it seemed appropriate to division were Warren Heyes & for current dance events, and go Popular in the 30's; reopened by have a special city focus on the Maxine Green of the UK (first), to the Monday night dance at the the daughter of the original place where Lindy started. Deb Simon Selmon & Louise Thwaite Wells Restaurant, where you may owners. Features the 18-piece Huisken checked it out ... also of the UK (second), and find some old-time atmosphere Renaissance Band. Frankie Excited by the energy at the Ivan & Elizabeth Berggren of and people that made Lindy what recommends their famous fried Lindy camp in Sweden last sum­ Sweden (third). In the team divi­ it is today. chicken and waffles. mer, members of the New York sion a transatlantic Lindy team Advertisement Swing Dance Society decided to coached by Warren won - a stimulate and revive the interest collaboration between England in Lindy in New York. The 10th and New England, the other team TO HELP CELEBRATE anniversary year of the NYSDS, being Bob Thomas and partner FRANKIE'S BIRTHDAY plus Frankie Manning's 80th fromBoston, MA. PORL SMITH presents birthday were good reasons to do While there is a tenacious so. group doing Lindy in New York a limited edition of 80 Of course, one of the biggest today, modem-style West Coast attractions for Lindy Hoppers in Swing is said to be taking over the T-shirts bearino the leoend: New York is Frankie, who city. If you aren't familiar with HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE teaches weekly classes at the it, West Coast is done to almost Sandra Cameron Dance Studio. any type of music, R&B to disco, & MANY LINDY TURNS Frankie also works with the Big and is a slot dance said to have Apple Lindy Hoppers - but more developed in response to the on Frankie elsewhere in this is­ extremely tight dance conditions These top�quality T-shirts feature a night-club map sue. (For the BALH, see page 6). in the California clubs where it of Harlem from the thirties. Uptown in Harlem, the Mama began. Don't confuse old-style Lou Parks Dancers rehearse and West Coast, a smooth version of All are individually numbered and are available at teach twice a week at the Obiera Lindy taken west fromHarlem in cost - £6 or equivalent - plus postage of £1.25. Center. Started by Mama Lou the '40s by white dancer Dean Send your cheque or money order for £7.25 to: (now deceased) in 1960, MLPD Collins, and new-style, the afore­ continues to do her moves from mentioned slot dance which looks Porl Smith, 80 Bonnington Sq. Vauxhall, London the '30s and '40s. Primarily a to have been influenced by disco swa TG England touring group with full-time jobs and its offshoots. on the side(!), they regularly Having said that, the New York teach in Florida, and have repre­ Swing Dance Society's Sunday sented the US in a 1968 cultural Night at the Continental Club is exchange for the Olympics, on a still the bastion of Lindy, 'tho they 1969 tour of Africa, and in do try to balance the interest in German rock 'n roll contests. West Coast with their traditional An annual event in NY is the loyalty to Lindy and East Coast Lindy Division of the American Swing.

Page3 Cover Story Hoppin' Spring '94

Frankie-isms: The Defining of a .Lindy Leg·end of swing dancing. Not one to pretend he made it all up out of thin air, he freely admits to having his own role models upon who he depended for creative invention and stylistic expression. At least, when he first began dancing. "My idols were Leroy 'Stretch' Jones and George 'Shorty' Snowden. So when I adopted some of Leroy and some of Shorty, instead of dancing in an upright position, I danced, you know. bent -- like from the waist. And, the way that I would stretch my leg, I'd look like I was just horizontal on the floor. I made my own style out of those two styles." To the notion, often stated, that one risked severe physical assault as reprisal for borrow­ ing or copying dance steps and specialties of others belonging to the Savoy dancing elite, he (Left to righ), Chazz Young, Norma Miller, ErnieSmith and Frankie Manning outside the Studio Museum of Harlem, 1989. Photo courtesy of ErnieSmith. made this intelligent and logical observation, "I copied a lot of things from Shorty Ernie Smithhas known Frankie Manning for He described his mother as... "a real party and Leroy. I never heard another Lindy many years. Here, he paints a word portrait.. goer." Because she was not trustful of baby Hopper say... 'You can't do that step How do you define a man? By his actions? sitters, he tagged along and was able to because it's my step. Because if you Or his friends? By accomplishments and observe her dancing with various partners. On couldn't, I don't think Lindy Hopping achievement? Does one look to qualities such his first attempt to actually dance at around would have lasted this long." as generosity, a sense of humor, humility, dig­ seven or eight years of age, despite a disap­ ***** nity, geniality or self-confidence? Is measure pointing review from the formidable authority Life experience, either personal or read defined by the depth of knowledge and a will­ figure of his mother, determination and buck­ about, tells us over and over that those who ingness to share it with others? Or eventually, the-odds-resolve surfaced when he recalled... achieve pre-eminence in any form of endea­ do we have to rely on his legacy? For the "What made me really want to dance vor exhibit certain traits characteristic to suc­ latter, hopefully, we will have to wait a very was the fact that I went to a dance with cess. First and foremost, one has to love what long time, but even at this date, we have a my mother and while sitting in a box, she one is interested in. This generally means a considerable amount of evidence with which came up and got me and brought me kind of love that goes beyond mild infatuation. to arrive at an assessment. Applying any of down to the dance floor and said... To the average person, such love can be ob­ the aforementioned qualitative yardsticks to a 'Com'on! Let's dance.' When I danced sessive and beyond the pale. With this view, just-turned-eighty Frank Manning, we can with my mother and was finished, she such conviction can be seen as a kind of psy­ find more than enough to jam-pack every said ...'Y ou' II never learn to dance be­ chological negative. Picasso, Louis Arm­ character category. cause you 're too stiff.' So I made up my strong, and Igor Stravinsky had it fortheir art. To begin with, anyone who has known mind I would show her and learn to Frank Lloyd Wright for architecture. Duke Frankie as a teacher, or seen and heard him dance." Ellington expressed it well when he titled his in action, comes away with a feeling that they No dancing classes at Arthur Murray autobiography Music Is My Mistress. Frankie have founda good friend and a man with a studios or even with Harlem's Mary Bruce*. has it for swing and the dancing that goes with pronounced sense of humor about life and Just a resolve to teach oneself and to practice it. This all-consuming preoccupation can also survival. That he possesses an infectious wherever space presented itself. To the ques­ be described as boundless, unquestioning en­ laugh and makes liberal use of it is character­ tion of the incredulous interviewer, "Where thusiasm. Something that springs from deep istic of his conversational style. Perhaps his did you dance at that age?" came the matter­ within and constantly insists upon expressing inner philosophy and life outlook are best re­ of-fact reply.. . itself. One can arguably say that such people vealed in a small collection of quotes I call "In those days. you could go on any are captives of their own ruling passion. Per­ 'Frankie-isms'. Just a few etch an indelible corner and find a place to dance." haps so, but what a sweet passion it is! If such portrait. In addition to opportune moments on enthusiasm and love is indeed an essential in­ ***** Harlem street corners or living room carpets, gredient in the drive for fulfillment, herewith As a guest on a l 988 television program what were some of the additional rungs-in­ are but a few proofs of Frankie's inner joy. Eye on Dance, when asked "how did you the-ladder-climb to Lindy Hop excellence? They are all drawn from reminiscences about learn to dance?", his response revealed a mo­ "The Alhambra Ballroom was like his Savoy years. How did he feel when he set . dest, self-starting, do-it-yourself methodology going to elementary school. The foot into the ? with a touch of ingenuity and gift for fantasy. Renaissance Ballroom was like going to "When you came into the Savoy and "To tell you the truth -- with a broom, high school. And then, going to the you heard one of those bands swingin' in a chair, and my records, in my own Savoy was like going to college." there, you immediately got into the mood room. Just listening to my records, taking In almost every human undertaking, from and became a swinger too!" a broom and a chair and pretending they flying or painting to music and dancing there Then, pausing to drink it all in, surveying the are girls and then dancing with them, are those outstanding individuals who repre­ scene, hearing the music and getting all those trying to do steps that I had seen other sent the ideal, inspirational model. Frankie is exciting vibes... people do." one of these inspirational people in the world " ...it seemed like every single person

Page4 Cover Story Hoppin' Spring '94

Frankie-isms (continued)

on that floor was swingin'. They're at the post office, I said... 'I'm not going A prudent imbiber when socializing, we dancing. They're bobbin'. I mean, to be here very long. I'll be out'a'here usually hang out where the music is good, ,. they're swingin'. So much, even the in a few minutes." bluesy, and swinging. Whether the Harlem floor seems like it's just bouncin' with Frank stayed for thirty years and became a Renaissance Orchestra at Wells' Restaurant; the beat of that music. And when you Postal Manager. He continued to dance Jerry Potter's three-piece groups at Show­ walk around there.. .! mean, you feel so occasionally at parties and other functions. man's Lounge or recordings up at Gus' on exhilarated, you feel you could go out Again, a question from the interviewer... "You 139th Street, he turns to the bartender and there -- and -- and, just dance with never got depressed or missed the good old orders what he has been ordering since his anybody! You don't care who it is, you days?" The ever-pragmatic survivor, Savoy days... know. Just ANYBODY'" consistent with his philosophy replied... 'TII have a rum and coke. Make that What further proof of love and enthusiasm "You live one day at a time. Forget Erniedark has rum, been please." a resident of New York since does one need than Frank's response to an about what happened before. Just go on 1950. Presently retired, he had a long, interviewer's question (Eye on Dance again) ahead. Just keep moving'."***** successful career as a Graphic Designer and regarding dance practice during his early advertising Art Director. His passionate days with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. To the With the revival of interest in the Lindy Hop avocational pursuits are painting., and jazz puzzling query, "Did you work out seven days through the dogged efforts of the New York dance history. To this end, he amassed a a week?" came his answer ... Swing Dance Society and others, activity es­ significant collection of film footage related to "No, EIGHT!" calated. Although retired, Frank was ripe for his interests (recently given to Washington's How important was to his rediscovery. When questioned about the Smithsonian institution) and gives frequent dancing is made very clear in Episode #6 of Lindy renaissance in the '80s and what it lecture/film presentations at a variety of the 1992 PBS series Dancing. Recalling his meant to him at age seventy-five, he acknow­ venues. He is also a passionate Lindy Hopper. Savoy days, with eyes closed in expression of ledged his lifelong passion and his unabashed anticipated joy and remembered ecstasy ... dependence and debt when he answered... "You hear this music, you know. "It means everything in the world. It Advertisement Maybe a band like . And means my life. In fact, if it wasn't for he's swingin'. You know, this.. .this dancing, I don't think I would've SWING DANCER beat.. And before you even reach the reached this age. Dancing -- there's VERSION 1.12 ballroom, you're alre_ady in the mood. nothing like it!" New You're saying, 'Oh Man! Listen to this At a 75th birthday party at the old A Swing Dancer's Manual music'." York Cat Club Sunday night dance, amid a by CraigR. Hutchinson With 260 pages, including: And, from the same Dancing episode, yet gaggle of adoring dancers and a claque that • Training, music, technique, • Definitions , and hbtory another example of Frankie's passion forboth would rival that of Nureyev, he blew out the • Abbreviationsdance code • Lindy Hop, , Hustle, swing and _the Lindy. For the· reader who is candles on his cake and made a characteristic • 1,53emoves & turns WPIStCoast SWlng, Carolina caught ·up irtFreudian interpretations of what prediction ... • 17,280 positionsdance Shag, Big Apple, & Shim Sham • 17 decillion rhythm breaks • Bibliographies:books, videos, passes forlife and relationships, make of this 'Twenty-five years from now, I'll see • 450duodecillion figure:,: fflido=s, periodicals, & mo\lie$ what you ·will. For myself, I �ay.. ;"Right on!" you back here at the***** same time." • Over50 turn e�rci$os • Supportsystem Includes: supplements, videotapes, '.'I feel that it is a love affair between • Swing danceclub directory • Annualcalendar of events newslll!ltter, and updates you and your partner and the music. I have had the privilege of a let-your-hair­ • Over 1QOR&B titles • Pre-.punched for a 1hr...ring, You feel the music. You feel your part­ down friendship with Frank since the early • Over2!11:l supplemental pages 8.Sxt 1 inch, �se-leaf binder ner and she feels you ...she · feels the mu­ days of the revival although, through the film SWING DANCER VIDEO SERIES sic. So there you are. The three o(you performances I had been collecting since together. You've got a triangle. So, 1954, I felt l knew him much longer. I know ***** which one do you love the best!" too that Frank has his dark side, as we all do, A series designed to get you started dancing but he keeps it in check wonderfully well. Hq West Coast Swing. Based on the popular For a host of reasons, not the least of which rarely burdens anyone with social or personal reference manual, Swing Dancer, the series takes was a shift in jazz from swing to bebop, the problems. At his age, I am certain he figures, you from a historical perspective through early 1950s saw the bottom of the lush swing­ "So what!" I have also seen flashes of irrita­ begiming basicsto more advanced moves and · · dancing day"s of the 1930s and 1940s. Frankie tion or anger as well as times when he seems rhythm breaks. eventually had to bow to the new trends that to be staring off wistfully into some remem­ $20 Swing DancerManual without binder $25 sent so .many dancing talents scurrying for al­ bered moment. One thing can bring the two SwingDancer withbinder $35 ternative ways to make a living. His personal of us together instantly - the opening bars of a Introduction to West Coast Swing1 $35 philosophy again was the spiritual glue that swinging blues number by the West.CoastRhythm Swing Figures Level1 1 $35 held him together through this difficult transi­ Band when that great rhythm section sets the I WCS Rhythm Breaks Level 1 Part 2 $35 tional period. In celebration of his seventy­ beat and your footstarts tapping. You hunch WCS Breaks Level Part fifth birthday, Alice Pifer, a producer with the a bit, bob your head and begin snapping your Follower's& Swing Turn Package $35 Shipping Handling $3.50USA OverseasO ABC-TV magazine-format program 20/20, fingers on the off-beat. I understand his pas­ FirstEach Item · $2$1 put together a profile of Frankie and a brief sion because I am so familiar with my own. I Additional Item $1 survey of the Lindy-revival that began at know then that I am with a soul mate. He TOTAL---- Harlem's Small's Paradise in 1984. She ques­ made clear, during a 1990 panel discussion, tioned Frank about his search· for a nine-to­ where he stood with regard to swing... POTOMAC SWING DANCE CLUB ° 3409 five job, applying for work at a New York "Everybody's talking about Chick Silver Maple22042-3545 Place post office and asked ... "Do you remember Webb. I'm a Basie man." 703-698-Falls Church,9811 VA USA what went through your mind?" To that, I can only say Amen... and add, Jay "Yeah, I did. The day I went to work McShann too! Page5 Spotlight Hoppin' Spring ·94

Spotlight on the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers

for WLIW TV. They also perform at at night clubs, private parties, benefits, dance camps, dance weekends, and outdoor events in and around New York in the summer. Today, the BALH has twelve members - Pamela Alper, Dennis Antrobus, Bob Crease, Debbie Elkins, Jeff Fine, Laura Galen, Karen Goldstein, Steven Hilmer, Elena Iannucci, Kathy LaQuadra, Cynthia Millman, and Eddie Sanabria. The group is now managed jointly by Cynthia and Kathy, with other tasks han­ dled communally. Frankie is still teacher, choreographer, and coach, currently working on a new blues rou­ tine forBALH. They have recently added a routine by Steve Mitchell, and have a routine choreographed by Ryan Francois as well. �­ Upcoming events include Swing Dance Long The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, Summer 1992. (I to r) Bob Crease, Pam Alper. Cynthia Millman, Monica Coe, Steve Hilmer, Frankie Manning, Rochelle Rice, JeffFine, Kathy LaOuadra, Eddie Island and CAN'T TOP THE LINDY HOP. Sanabria, Michael Clancey. Photo courtesy of Monica Coe. A dedicated group, they all have full-time jobs yet find time to rehearse every Friday The following article was compiled from fessional, and his role shifted to his present and everyother Monday. They will audition telephone interviews with Monica Coe, one of one of coach and primary choreographer. in June formen to join their ranks. the founders of the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Monica took on more of the creative and now living in London, and Cynthia Millmanof coaching role - Pat had moved on. Advertisement the New York Swing Dance Society and BALH. In these early days Frankie was just retiring The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers was started from the postal service, and the BALH was in late 1986 by a group of dedicated Swing one of the first groups he worked with profes­ dancers from the New York Swing Dance sionally when he resumed his dance career. Society. The organisers (Monica Coe and Pat During this period he was still developing his McLaughlin, among others,) were interested teaching style, as he was used to teaching by in Lindy as a performance art, having seen feel of the music, while the younger genera­ Frankie Manning and others on tape. tion was used to learning by counted-out steps. London's Jiving Lindy Hoppers had recent­ Monica feels there was a clear difference ly visited the city, and inspired by their perfor­ between Frankie's experience in the '30s and mance, the group decided that the time had '40s working with young, energetic, talented come for the NYSDS to form its own troupe. dancers who didn't have to always do the At that time, the NYSDS had been in exis­ same thing in a routine because each was tence for a year and a half, with the goal of interesting to watch in their own right, to this promoting and preserving Swing dance and latter-day group of amateur dancers with full­ music. They saw the formation of a troupe as time jobs. "We spent more time trying to get A top live Swint, R&B or a means of furthering this aim. "We had a people to be precise and uniform, with less mission," says Monica. "We wanted to share reliance on individual style," says Monica. Rock'n'Roll band everymonth this wonderful thing with the rest of the world, BALH always had a strong social aspect, The Jive Party Discowith the and also to have a safe place to do aerials!" the group becoming good friends with a bestin Swing,R&B and The first auditions were held in December - tradition of drinks and dinner after Friday Roek'n'RoU Norma Miller selected the six couples who rehearsals. "Prior to joining, people groaned A spacious dance floor made up the original BALH. Frankie at the idea of Friday rehearsals," says with Manning had already agreed to work with the Monica, "but over time came to enjoy them." candlelittables. group, comprising Pat McLaughlin (who Performances of note through the years That'sSaturday Night Jive performed and worked with Frankie), Monica include the inauguration of the Jazz collection Partyl Coe and Michael Clancey, Bob Crease and at the Smithsonian Institute in May '92, where Dancingfront 8pm 'ti.I1am Marion Eines, Margaret Batiuchok and BALH performed alongside Frankie and Donald Young, Manny Baez and Fenia Norma, and the Savoy Stompers (comprising Run by dancersfor dancers! Weiller, Jerry Goralnick and Carola Veit. Frankie and Norma, Chazz Young and Next dates:28, May Juue 25, July30 The group started working with Frankie in Debbie Austin, and Mickey Dee and Clyde January 1987, doing six to eight performances Wilder). Other important events have includ· NoireDame Hall in their first year, mostly at local clubs and ed performances for the Boston Swing Dance dance events. In the early years Pat and Network, Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night 6 LeicesterPlace Monica managed the group and Frankie was Swing, New Jersey Jazz Festival with Buck London WC1 artistic director, creative lead, coach, choreo­ Clayton, Liberty Island's Ethnic Dance Festi­ (off Leicester Square) grapher, and performer. In later years val, First Night New York, South Street Sea­ Frankie was more in demand as a dance pro- port with the Orchestra, and

Page6 Advertisement Hoppin' Spring '94

r-----· D�NCE -----, 1 WORLD.95 1 I For further information on Dance World '95 please contact : C:v) I Dance World '95, Hadley House, 17 Park Road, Barnet, Herts ENS SRY, UK. 11/r, Tel: 081- 364 8680 Fax 081-364 8063 I I Name I I Company/Organisation I I Address I

I Postcode Country I L------� March 31st - April 2nd 1995, Olympia, London

Pagel Article Hoppin' Spring '94

The Feet Dance - Sometimes the Heart Dances· with Them the 30-year old assistant with stars in her eyes, entranced. He says people often ask him to teach, but he doesn't think of what he does as teaching. "You really have to count this, because I do not know what I am doing," he'll say, and another time "All I do is get up in front of you and dance a little then stop and say 'okay, now you do that.' And usually, you do." The way he learned was by watching other people, trying it himself, then thinking up new steps and seeing if they worked. Although he started dancing when he was a teenager, Frankie never expected it to become a career - in fact, resisted it might­ ily when he was first approached by Whitey of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in the mid-thirties. He was working as a furrier, the job he'd taken once he finished high school. He had started at the bottom and worked his way up. He was dancing by this time, but socially. He says he hadn't considered what he wanted to do with himself and his future. It was early 1935 and he came in second with Maggie McMillan at what was then one of New York's most prestigious dance events, the Harvest Moon Ball. The producers of the Ball decid­ ed to send the top two teams on a tour of Europe. Whitey went to the four dancers to see if they The Congaroo Dancers, 1950, featured in Larry Steele's Smart Affairs. (/, r) Frankie Manning, Willamae Ricker, Ann Johnson,Russe/1 Williams. Photos this article thanks to Cvnthia Millman; scans thanks to Karen Bass. wanted to go. Leon, Edith, and Maggie were all excited and These are exce1pts from inter­ two and a half minutes he is in head bopping and he'd forget ready to get on the next plane. views Deborah Huisken held with love with the girl and she with whatever it was that was trou­ But when he got to Frankie, he Frankie in Sweden in 1993 and him; they both are in love with bling him and go dance. said "Hey, I don't want to go to om New York by telephone. the music, the rhythm, the magic. "If I can make someone smile, fr Europe, Whitey. I got my job I asked Frankie what he wan­ There's an element of �cime­ help them forget what's bringing here." Whitey talked and talked, ted people to know about Lindy. thing healing in dance. Frankie them down for a while and enjoy but Frankie says "I was a little He said he wanted people to see speaks of a discussion he· d once the dance, then I think I've done stubborn in those days". It was a the dance for all that it means. A had in which he asserted that my work well. That's my joy, pitched battle between the two dance like Lindy Hop transcends dance can be a form of therapy. and then I'm happy." Whitey wouldn't give up and age, nationality, language, race - He recalled how he could be The best dancing, like the best Frankie wouldn't give in. it's about communicating. To having a bad time, as everyone art, comes from within. Anyone Finally one night, Frankie was paraphrase Frankie, it's about a does, but he'd go up to the Savoy can teach and learn steps. A one leaving the Savoy to see his girl­ guy asking a girl to dance, and Ballroom near his home in and a two, this foot goes here, friend Dot. When he got to her they do for maybe two and a half Harlem, and maybe he wouldn't that one goes there. But dancing house, Whitey was already there, minutes or however long the song even dance, maybe he'd just Frankie does it and teaches it is as sitting on the stoop waiting for lasts, and in that two and a half stand in front of that stage for a on a whole other plane - an ex­ him. Despite Frankie's protests minutes they move together. bit and listen to the music and pression of self, infectious. At 79 Whitey was insistent - "this will Maybe they don't know all the look at the people dancing. After he can do an impromptu dance at only take a minute". So Frankie same steps or even the speak the a while he'd start to hear, to feel the end of a class with his 30- sat down to talk. At daybreak same language, but it doesn't the music, maybe just a little bit at year old assistant and have that they were still on that stoop matter. The language is the first, then more, and pretty soon entire class of 20 and 30 year talking - "I never did get up to see dance, and they communicate he'd find his foot tapping, then olds clapping and stomping and my girl", he says. In the end, it with each other, and for those his fingers snapping, then his calling for an encore, and leave was Frankie who convinced

Page8 Article Hoppin' Spring '94

The Feet Dance (continued) Hoppers didn't have music. I ex­ leave their audiences with their plained how I wanted the music trademark, the Lindy, because it played - l had taught myself how was the most exciting. "People to count music and listen to it. I loved to see us Lindy," said set every routine to a chorus, de­ Frankie. "There were no other cided how many times to do each groups doing it at that time. We bit. It never entered my mind that went until 1954 with only one girl it was choreography, or stag-ing change - from Ann Johnson to as they called it then. I just never Helen Daniels, who is still living thought of it that way. As I look in ." back on it, I say 'yeah, that's They performed all over the US what I was doing', but I didn't with some of the biggest names in think of it like that at the time." show business - Milton Berle, Frankie finally gave up his job Sammy Davis Jr., Martin & to go into the Cotton Club, and Lewis (Dean and Jerry), Tony never regretted it. "I'm kind of a Bennett, Martha Raye. They also funny guy," he says. "Once I do travelled with some of the best­ something, it's past. I can't do it known Swing bands - Cab The Congaroos at the RKO Palace Theatre in 1953. (/, r) mae over, so why worry about it? I'm Calloway, Nat King Cole, Stan Ricker, Helen Daniels, Frankie Manning, and Russell Williams. happier that way." Kenton, Count Basie, Jimmie Whitey that he wasn't going to go professional. He'd done so many Frankie went on to a long Lunceford. In their last year on that trip. competitions at the Apollo and dance career, including film per­ together, they performed in the All these years later, looking other local theatres that getting fomrnnces and his own troupe, Folies Bergere at London's St. back, Frankie says, "the Lord up on stage felt to him like home, when he returned to the States James Theatre. works in mysterious ways. If I not a job. Although he loved to after the war. "I talk about what I know. I had gone to Europe, I probably dance, he didn't think that was Started in 1947, the Congaroos can talk about Lindy because I never would have created aerials what he wanted to do for the rest consisted of four dancers. Their did it, and I know it, and I know or ensemble dancing. When of his life. And he still didn't show, typically 10 to 12 minutes that many of the moves were Norma and them went away, think he was good enough. "I long. would start with a Swing/ mine, it was my work. When you there was no ensemble dancing was a pretty good Lindy Hopper, Conga number that Frankie had talk about Lindy, you're talking or air steps. When they came but as a complete perfonner, I choreographed, then a tap num­ about my life, you're talking back, the dancing was all differ­ didn't feel ready." ber, then a jazz number. They'd about me." ent. There were four teams on It wus when they went into the the stage at the same time, doing Cotton Club in the fall of 1936 Advertisement aerials. We had become more of that Frankie says he first felt like an act, a professional team." they had a professional act. It cost him. It cost him the trip, "It was nothing but the best at 6th ANNUAL which in the end was taken by the Cotton Club" he says. "We Norma Miller and her partner, were there with big name stars HERRANG Stompin' Billy, so young he had with their names up in lights, peo­ to get his mother's permission to ple like Bill Robinson, Cab Callo­ DanceCamp-94 go. It also cost him his dance way, the Berry Brothers. I partner. Maggie was mad - she decided we needed to become Afroamerlcan Style; wanted to go to Europe. They more of an act, a professional Lindy Hop, Woogie, Tap, , did one more engagement to­ team." Black Bottom, Acrobatics et cetera gether, then she split with him. Prior to that time, dancers Frankie describes his schedule would come on stage while the Teachers; at the time, when he was still band was playing, dance for a Frank Manning, Chazz Young working at the fur company. while, maybe 8 bars, and then Rob van Haaren/Jann Olsen -USA "We took the train to get there. walk off, even if it was in the Steven Mitchell, Marcus Koch/ I'd get off work at 5 pm and go middle of a song. Barbara Kaufer -Germany home to take a bath - we didn't But for the Cotton Club, have showers in those days. Frankie went out and bought the Simon Selmon, Ryan Francois -England We'd go to our gig, finishing at 3 sheet music to Benny Goodman's The Rhythm Hot Shots -Sweden in the morning. I'd get home by Jam Session, for which he also 5 a.m. and would have to be at had the record. He played it 1-WEEK PROGRAMS, JULY 9-AUGUST 6 work by 8. We did that every over and over until he knew the ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS single night for two months, and music, had counted everything by the end I was so tired, I'd out, and decided what he wanted bought myself a Big Ben alarm to do in the routine. When he For further information please write to: clock which I'd put right by my walked into the Cotton Club he The Rhythm Hot Shots ear so I'd get up in the morning." walked up to the band with his c/o Lennart Westerlund During this time, he'd played at sheet music like all the other acts Ploggatan 1, S- 116 34 Stockholm, Sweden the Apollo Theatre among others, with their music - "I felt proud" Phone: +46 (8) 643 40 58 but says he still never felt like a he says now. "Other Lindy

Page9 City Review Hoppin' Spring '94

The London Scene But although Ryan is moving steadily out to the commercial world, the good news for Lindy fans is that Lindy is his first love, so no matter what he moves into, there's always likely to be a strong Lindy influence. A new troupe emerging in London is Bullies Ballerinas run by Jeanefer Jean-Charles and Pearl Jordan. They started in 1990 in New­ castle, due to demand for dance in northern Britain. Tobias Tak, tapper extraordinaire, is among their guest performers. They mix old and new styles, developing their dancing to suit their own style and the needs of the pro­ ject on which they are working. Their work is Jazz outreach, says Jeanefer, introducing Lindy to old and young people in rural areas. Teachers, performers, and choreographers, they will be launching a tour in Autumn. Simon Selmon started the London Swing Dance Society in 1986 and has had associated performing groups, (currently the Sugarfoot Stompers) since. Simon has a genius for finding local events with which to participate and from which to draw new blood into the Lindy scene. He has written a beginner's manual entitled Let's Lindy published by the Dance Bookshop in London, and runs fre­ quent weekend workshops with teachers from Europe and the US as well as his own classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Many London Lindy Hoppers get their start at LSDS's Monday night dances. Theirs is the only Swing venue which always has live bands. Such favourites as King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys epitomize the joy of dancing to Bullies Ballerinas struttin' their stuff. (l,r) Melanie Joseph, Tobias Tak, Jeanefer Jean-Charles, and Leon Hazlewood. Photo courtesy ofJeaneter Jean-Charles. Jive music. A tale is told of a night when Ron Leslie and Angela Andrew started off a Cat's Arguably the Hoppin' -est place in the world. preparing a major traditional show Comer which the band noticed, extending the Porl Smith and Deborah Huisken take a look for the Edinburgh Fringe featuring Larry number for a good IS minutes until they had at the scene. Marshall, who played Cab Calloway in the exhausted all the dancers who wanted to There are more places to dance Lindy, film "The Conon Club". Education Director jump in.with teachers to teach Lindy, and troupes perfor­ Warren Heyes will also be starting up a new Ron is an amazing dancer in his own right. ming Lindy in London today than perhaps any series of Lindy classes. . Tall and lithe, the man is smooooth - one of other city in the world. In May 1987, dancers Ryan Francois, Julie the most elegant male dancers in London. A The Jiving Lindy Hoppers started it all off in Oram, and Tobias Tak formed professional natural teacher, he usually grabs a few dan­ London in 1983, when Terry Monaghan, in his troupe Zoots and Spangles. They perform on cers., show s them a step or two, then works quest for the original form of "jiving" he TV, films, and music videos, and have toured more or less patiently with them, until they've knew to have originated in Harlem, teamed up and taught extensively in the UK and abroad. got it, much like the original Lindy Hoppers in with Warren Heyes to do some research. Tobias has since moved on to focus on tap, the early days in Harlem. They went into youth clubs to recruit young and today Zoots attribute their success to Ryan Then there'sJitterbugs on a Wednesday black teenagers they thought might be best "Mr. Zoots" Francois. A leading figure on the night , with its wide-open, sprung dance floor. able to recreate the look and feel of the swing dance circuit Ryan has also gained The lessons are given by Ryan Francois Harlem originals - it was in a judo class there success in the commercial world of dance whenever he's in town - he actually started that they found people like early member and choreography, e.g. projects like Disney's the club in 1987 with Ron Leslie. Sing Lim Ryan Francois. They went to New York to Swing Kids in which partner Julie Oram and a took it over from interim manager Simon find the remaining originals from the '20s & number of others from London (where Erland in 1991 and has really made it her '30s, and have worked chrough the years with auditions where held) danced. Look for Big own, infusing it with her sparkling energy (her people like Mama Lou Parks, Pepsi Bethel, Tess and her partner, reminiscent of Big Bea name means star in Chinese) and cool style. Frankie Manning, and Norma Miller. Besides and her partner Shorty Snowden in the 40s. She also co-runs the annual Jitterbug Jam, and another tour of Japan, various school residen­ Zoots as a troupe has been quiet recently due organised the Ladybugs, a social group of cies, a music and dance commission with to Ryan's work on"Shall We Dance, a Tribute women Lindy Hoppers who occasionally Andy Sheppard (jazz saxophonist), festivals, to and " which perform at various functions. and other performances, the company is toured Europe during February and March. Winner of the American Swing Dance

Page JO City Review Hoppm· , Spring ·94

The London Scene (continued) Dance World '94

Wine Bar, which often has Swing bands Reviewed by playing '30s & '40s music. Deborah Huisken There was a unique four-day dance trade­ Its even in the schools here. Ellen Miller, formerly of both the Jiving Lindy Hoppers and show in London in February. C�lled Dance Zoots and Spangles was invited to teach Lindy World, it embraced all types of dance, from to :rap to Scottish Country Dancing. as a 6-week optional Cultural Studies Course within the Dance Foundation Course at Exhibitors ranged from dance troupes and stu­ Kensington and Chelsea College. This is the d.ios, to companies supplying clothes, shoes, only regular university course of which we flooring, dance books, and first-night-of-a­ are aware, perhaps in the world. She also performance congratulatory cards. There was a comprehensive performance and works with a youth group in nearby Bromley. A troupe of comprehensive kids (equiva­ workShop program featuring talented dancers lent to high school in the States) works with ranging in age and interest from 3-year old ballerinas to a passionate dancer, to PhysEd teacher, John Brooks at Chestnut Grove School. The Jiving Lindy Hoppers retirees still going strong. visited the school in '92 as part of their educa­ The venue - designed as a car park in the tion programme, giving workshops and a per­ early '80s, but immediately put to use as formance. Such was the enthusiasm, John got ''exhibition facilities" - was not the best. Still, funding for a 3-month JLH residency - a 12- the atmosphere was good, and the show well. hour non-stop "Lindy Hop-a-thon" followed. attended (estimated at eight to ten thousand ".,.;.;.. Expertise gained by staff and students prompl­ over four days). Not know.ing what to expect Fred Hunt and Beckie Menckhoffdoing their ed formation of the Chestnut Grove Lindy from a new show, people were pleasantly Russian kick. Photo courtesy of Beckie. Hoppers, now a performing group of about 40 surprised at the people they met, the contacts they made, and the high attendance. Most Championships in 1993 with sometime partner pupils aged 11 to 19. CGLH are regularly said they would be returning,albeit wanting to Ryan, Sing excels at both leading and follow­ asked to perform at art and music festivals, . _ see iome ch.;u.iges,primarily in the venue. ing, breaking the traditional mold of "men and and have made two T.V. appearances. Next year's ·will be held in· London's Olympia ladies" as they are referred to in London. In Also active is the Kent Youth Group headed InternationalExhibition Centre. Plans are in fact, a memorable night in London was when by Curriculum Support Officer Carol Clark the work for a US versiQn in 1995. "the girls" (Sing and Angela Andrew) took on and taught by Bret Jones of Zoots & Spangles. Lindy Hop was highly visibie via the Jiving "the boys" (Steve Mitchell and Ryan) in a The troupe, going for a year now, meets once Lindy Hoppers,Bullies.Ballerinas, and James Cats Corner-style display dance which, in my a month for three hours, and has a week-long Hamilton (all with booths and workshops - the residential every year. Performing at the humble opinion, 1he girls won. Music al first two al�o,did, performances),and Simon Jitterbug Jam last summer, members of the is provided by DJs Tim, Pat the Kat Selinon and .Louise Thwaite; who did a per­ KYG were astounded to see older people or Rohan !he Man - each a character in his formance cum Swing dance history lesson. It doing Lindy, including some moves they own right - and occasional live bands. was great to "See the Lindy community really Twice a month on a Saturday, DJ Tim plays hadn't yet thought of - they had assumed it was a dance for young people! They perform suppOrting each other - those with booths dis­ Swing, R&B,Boogie Woogie, WesternSwing, played the leaflets and teeshirts of those with­ and Doo Wop at Hellzapoppin'. The club locally - audiences have included royalty, in out, and HopJ)in' couldn't keep everyone sup­ started in January 1989, and is held in a hall the person of Prince Edward. And as part of her annual International Youth Dance cele­ pJied with enough subscription brochures. It with a sprung floor. The crowd here tends 10 was a good place to make contacts with non­ bration, Carol has exposed students from as be a mix of Lindy Hoppers and '50s Rock n' Lindy dance venues who would be willing to far afield as Finland, the Czech Republic, Rollers - the aimosphere is great. put out leaflets to encouragenew dancers to A marked difference between the UK and Luxembourg, and Estonia to Lindy. Speaking of youth, a crossover dance cross over into the Lindy scene. other Lindy scenes is the clothes. People For the event's first year, it admirably between HipHop and Lindy being seen in really dress up here - Zoots, Demobs, Uni­ achieved organiser Svend Elkjaer's goal of London is called Swingbeat. Just as Lindy forms, Rockers, Spivs, and Flappers. Para­ getting various segments of the dance Hop moved from the street into popular cul­ doxically, most of the clothes are American! community wlJ.o don't nonnally have the ture, Swingbeat is bringing HipHop to dance Other Lindy teachers in and around London opportunity to speak with each other to go studios and dance floors. Mixing Jazz dance include James Hamilton. He starts his classes outside their boundaries and communicate, moves with the now common HipHop, there is off with LeRoc, moving them into Lindy work together. Gregory Hines, there as a a feel reminiscent of Lindy Hop. In March, towards the end of the cycle as they become performer, workshop presenter, and luminary # I in the British music charts was a single by accomplished dancers. Fred Hunt and Becky role model for young dancers, encapsulated Dutch band Doop which sampled '20s Menckhoff, who co-run the Jitterbug Jam, the mood of the event, saying during bis have also started up beginners classes outside Charleston. Hot on its tail is another band performance that dance was the unifying named K7 and the Swing Kids, with a single London due to demand in their area. Called theme of the day, that whatever your dance, Live 2 Jive, theirs will be 8-week cycles. called "Hi De Ho' (Cab?). If you feel the it's an expression of yourself, so do it! need for a influence in Other regular events in London include Elkjaer tells of a moment behind the scenes frequent free live bands at the Royal Festival your Lindy Hop, Swingbeat is the dance for you. There are numerous workshops and when he saw Hines lost for a moment tapping Hall and Barbican on Saturday and Sunday with a young girl in a Spanish - courses in HipHop and Swingbeat in London. afternoons, occasional dances at the Queen two very different dance cultures on common Elizabeth Hall, Alexandra Palace, and the Two are a Wednesday Swingbeat class (+44 ground. It seems to me that EJkjaer went a Porchester Hall (a nice old building with a 716296183) and a monthly Sunday Hip Hop long way to meeting his goal, sprung floor), and clubs like the Dover Street class ( +44 71 405 5795), forthe curious.

Page 11 Article Hoppin' Spring '94

The Secret of Life Margaret Batiuchok shares some anecdotes wonderful patient - his cheerful outlook and the football team. When I went to Whitey's, abour Frankie. great attitude seemed to expedite his recov­ he tagged me as the leader because he saw I was going through some difficult times a ery. His physical therapist and doctor say that that I was responsible and wanted to help the few weeks ago, so I called a friend of mine to his rate of recovery has been faster than that group. When I went into the army, I rose talk, a friend who, whether I call at 12 pm or normally seen. from a private to a master sergeant because 10 am is always willing to offer positive en­ What makes a man like Frankie succeed the of my ability and willingness to take responsi­ couragement sprinkled with good jokes and way he does? He loves what he does, he bility. I didn't feel like I was the greatest insightful anecdotes. loves life, he enjoys himself, and he's happy. father, but I was willing to take responsibility. Thal friendis Frankie Manning. He is world I wanted to get his secret. When I was married, the family's needs, famous,yet he is the same man I met ten "To what do you attribute your success?" food, shelter, and education, came first." years ago, expresses the same modesty, offers "I didn't know l was successful. I guess l "Do you have any hobbies?" me the same, if not more, respect. He is attribute my success to the fact that other "Dancing to me is a hobby ...and watching warmer and kinder because of the years of people are willing to learn. I don't know ... my sports. Dancing is my relaxation." friendship, rather than colder because of his willingness to pass on to others my knowledge "What do you do for excitement?" increasing fame. One anecdote goes like this: of swing dancing." "Ha,ha,ha.. .l watch football." "When I was on my job, we had a supervi­ "What keeps you motivated?" On the verge of turning 80, Frank Manning sor everyone was afraid of and hated. He "The enthusiasm of the youngsters." is full of life and still going strong - he's yelled at everyone. When the guys heard him "What's your philosophy?" youthful, in great health, natural, congenial, coming they would want to run. When one "My philosophy is to try to respect other and not self-conscious. He has a good sense day he yelled at me, I told him that I didn't people -respect their wishes, their attitudes - of humor and concentrates on enjoying life. like the tone of voice he used towards me, that as I would want them to respect me. I like to The secret of life must be in attitude and we were both men doing a job, and though he live one day at a time. Each day, if I can do approach to life, and in sharing oneself, in was my boss, I still was to be treated as a man, something to help someone, and if I do - I'm giving with comfortable generosity. Frankie with respect. From that day on we were good very pleased about that. I like being around personifies this. He is a role model for me. friends, because I stood up to him in a firm yet people. I like people. I like people to like me. Margaret is a swing and kind way. I found out that the reason he I try to pass on to them any know-ledge I have insrructor, choreographer, and pe1formerfrom spoke so loudly was that he was hard of hear­ - any way I can help them - I hope there's New York City. She is also a Harvest Moon ing. If I hadn't said anything, I would have something I can do or pass on to them." Ball champion and co-founder of the New York felt badly about him, myself, felt miserable "What make you a leader?" Swing Dance Society. She sells a selection of about work, and missed out on a friend." "A leader is someone who doesn't mind Lindy reaching and dancing videotapes and a As Hoppin' readers know, Frankie had hip accepting responsibility. I never shied away 104 -page research paper on Lindy. Contact replacement surgery at the age of 79,. He's a from responsibility. In school I was captain of her on+/ 212 598 0154 for further derails. Lindy Bits Hoppin' Spring '94

Lindy Bits The following quotes are ex­ Lindy Hoppers' and they said 'hey I'll never forgetthis guy because would have a new show at the cerpted from videotaped conver­ man, that's great', slapping me on he was the one that gave me this Apollo, and if they had a band like sations held by the Swedes with the back. I said, 'but I told him inspiration -his name was Herbert Count Basie all the girls and guys Frankie Manning over the past five no." They said 'why, why did you Roper. You never heard of him, I from the Savoy Ballroom and years he has taught at the Herriing do a thing like that, why did you know, because he's not a famous Whitey's Lindy Hoppers would go Dance Camp. It is primarily tell him no?' I said 'well, you person, but to me he is famous. to the Apollo and occupy the first Frankie talking. know, I asked him if y'all could I used to play a bit of basket two rows at least. "A group of friends and I used to come and join too and he said no.' ball and you how you do, if you "Basie's up there swinging, you go to the Savoy Ballroom dancing. "One of my friends said 'man, go up and make two points and know, he's jumping up and we're One particular time when we were you know what, you're a stupid that puts you ahead and you know down there bouncing along with all gathered together in the Savoy, jerk. If that had been me I would you got it, you do a little dance to the music and then maybe near the Whitey came over to watch our have left you guys, I would have celebrate. He made two points end of the programme, we're and he called me over joined Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.' and he put his team ahead and I watching Basie - you know we're to him and asked if I would like to "But it turnedout very good saw him on the floor. He looked watching him as kids in the audi­ join Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. any-way because about three so cool - he was down and just ence, not friends - and he does one "I said 'yes, of course', cuz weeks later Whitey came over and moving ... oh man I was astounded. of these things like that [gestures] Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were said "look, ok, you can come and I saw this and thought WOW. I and we would rush up on the stage supposed to be the best in the City. bring your friends with ya.' And really felt what he was doing and I and everybody would be dancing He said to come on down to the that was the way I started with asked him "hey, where'd you to Basie's music on stage. other side and he'd introduce me to Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. learn how to do that? I wanna "When I hear music, I really some of the members of WLH, and The Swedes asked if the dancing learn how to do that." He said feel like I just want to do that, I I said "what about my friends?' He was professional in Whitey's he'd learntit at the Savoy. just wanna swing." said I don't want them right now, Lindy Hoppers or something "That really got me into dan­ maybe later but not right now. I between amateur and professional. cing. I mean, when I saw that said well, if you don't take my " ...between amateur and dude I aped him. I was excited to Little-Known friends I don't want to go. So he professional," said Frankie. do the same thing I saw him Lindy Tidbit said ok and started walking away. "When I was about fifteen, I doing. One of Frankie's favourite When I ·walked back over to my happened to be on a basket ball "I danced at the snacks is cheese on chocolate chip friends they gathered round, saying court. I hadn't yet been to the quite frequently - the Apollo cookies with herb tea. Another 'hey man, what happened?' I said Savoy - I was still dancing at the Theatreto us was almost like favourite - hominy grits with 'well, he asked me to join Whitey's Renaissance. One of my friends - home. Every Friday morningthey tomato sauce and sardines. Advertisement

SAVOY- Colourfast Screen Printing on Lindy Hoppers at Harlem's I 00 % Coccon T-Shins. Machine famous Savoy Ballroom, also wa.

Lindy Listings

Well, there's good news and Germany Venues: 40s style. Owners want to bring there's bad news on the Lindy Saturdays 19:30-3:00am), The back early Hollywood glamour. Listings Front. The good news is Contact: Dance Studio Braunmu/Jer, Jazz Age, Turnmills. *CLOSED* Look for the Royal Crown Revue that there's so much to put into Band playing Louis Jordan tunes. each issue of the newsletter that Leonhardsberg 3 86150, Augs­ - - we will only include updates to burg. phone +49 821 152 318 USA Thursdays, Atlas , the Lindy Listings in this and fu­ Wilshire Blvd & Western,Los ture issues. To get a complete UK Additional information available Angeles. Johnny Crawford Contacts: set, you can buy a subscription or on Illinois, Maryland, Washington Orchestra, '20s &'30s music. Carol Clark, Kent County the relevant back issue, subject to Virginia. (see back issues). Fridays (1st of each month), availability. Updated information Council, YCS/1, Maidstone, Kent Sportsman's Lodge, Coldwater MEl4 2LJ. phone +44 622696033 California on previous listings will be high­ Canyon, Van Nuys. Bill Eliot lighted with *s. James Hamilton, Rock Dance Contact: Orchestra. Company, 170, FernheadRoad Chesler Whitmore, LA. phone We list the country headings. Maine If you will be travelling in those London W9 3EL +44 819695155 +I 310 676-2965. Fred Hunt/Beckie Menckhoff, Contact: countries, and want previous Venues: issues, contact Hoppin'. Live 2 Jive, 23 The Chase, 111/jnite Possibilities, P.O. Box Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex HAS Wednesdays, The Derby, Los 10714, Portland, ME 04104. !SJ, phone +44 81 866 9093. Felice & Hilhurst, Hollywood, Contact Reggie Osborn phone + I CA. Features 30s and 40s jump Ellen Miller, +44 71 820 0503. 207 774 2718. bands - people dress in 30 and

Shanghai Advertisement Venues: Peace Hotel , The Bund. Six­ piece band, the "Old Jazz Band" in the lobby bar; sprung floor in the main ballroom. "Most nights. Touristy, but good Swing music, in 40s-style Art Deco surround­ ings", says our contact. Shanghai Sports Institute. Zhu Yong Zhong teaches ballroom dance says the March '94 National Geographic - perhaps they'd be interested in Lindy?

Europe Additional information available on Austria, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland. (see back issues). France Contact: Richard Dixon, L'Orlie Four­ magnac 46100 FIGEAC. Former­ 7k�4-� ly with London's Sugarfoot Stompers. phone +33 65 40 17 32 Manufacturers of Quality Footwear Venues: Quay St. Bernard. Open-air dancing (or opportuning) in Paris Distributors Throughout the World in a small amphitheatre in a park beside the river. *Summer only*. INTERNATIONAL DANCE SHOES La Scala. 188 rue de Rivoli ( I st 57 Alston Drive, Bradwell Abbey, arr), Paris. *Disco with flashing Milton Keynes, MK13 9HB, United Kingdom. lights - Lindy/Swing unknown* Telephone: (0908) 319937 Fax: (0908) 220719 Magnetic Terrace. 12 rue de la Cossonerie, Paris. *CLOSED*

Page 14 Classified Lindy Hoppin' Spring '94

Classified Lindy Advertisement WANT TO SELL THOSE Deadline for the Summer issue BRAND NEW TWO-TONE is I July 1994; for the Fall issue is SHOES YOU BOUGHT A SIZE I October 1994. TOO SMALL? You Wanna Get Dancin'? LOOKING FOR SOMEONE News Flash! TO RUN UP A PAIR OF Photo and Illustration You Wanna Get ..... ARMPIT TROUSERS? Contest. Submit your drawing DESPERA TE TO FIND A and/or photos illustrating Lindy COPY OF COUNT BASIE'S and Lindy-related events, people, "LOVE JUMPED OUT"? activities. We'll use the best ones Hoppin' will now feature a in upcoming issues of Hoppin'. regular Small Ads page where Then, at the annual dance you can advertise, at reasonable camp in Herrling, Sweden, an rates, anything you need or want, impartial group of judges will The only ... for sale, rent, share, or barter. choose the contest winners from Social Dance Magazine for All replies will be to designated the previous year's issues, and a London & S. E. England covering ... box-office addresses care of the prize (TBD) will be awarded. Hoppin' offices, and will be You don't have to be present to Lindyhop • Jive • Rock 'n'Roll• posted unopened to advertisers, win. Ballroom•Latin Sequence guaranteeing confidentiality. Send your entries to Box P/1. • • Help support Hoppin' by Each quarterly issue keeps you up to date with ... making use of this service - your Venues• Holidays• Features• Schools notice will be read around the Talent Needed. Available For your copy send world! If you're going abroad . Fledgling dance newsletter c�, ,. , £1.80 (UK rate) and need somewhere to stay, try , . ._.J ;.. ·. £3.00 (Overseas rate) looking for talented dance/action ,:_-;('��,.- an ad in Hoppin' - it could save · ·, . photographers, writers, promo­ to: Dance Diary you a fortune! tions and sponsorship experts, 26b Agincourt Road The rates are £.50 (or equiva­ advertising sales people, and Hampstead lent) per 4-column line of type - distributors around the world. If London NW3 2PD illustrations and special type­ England you can help, please write to Box setting extra. HELP. If you have a special skill to Replies make available to Hoppin' Sertd replies to Classified readers, place your ad here. For Sale Homes for Hoppers Lindy ads to Hoppin', P.O. Box Mountain Bike Free spare room in central 6008, London W2 5ZY UK. Hand-made 22 Juch, Klein, London for dancers looking for a Looking for Partners Aluminum Rascal. Hot pink and bed for a couple of nights. Indicate the box number to Place your ad for the dance which you are replying in the black with Shimano XT compo­ Contact Simon Bell on +44 71 403 partner of your dreams here - nents. $1500. Bike is in Europe. 3982 or writeto Box SB. bottom left-hand corner of you never know where in the your envelope. Call Rob van Haaren at + I 805 world they might be hiding! 687 5207 or write to box RV. Subscriptions

Yes, I want to know more about Lindy Hop! I want: 0 to subscribe, starting with the ______issue* 0 a single issue - ______(indicate which quarter) Name.______Address______, ______Postcode ______. Country______Phone.______Occupation, ______Where did you get this subscription form?______Costs· Payment must accompany subcription Send To: Single Issue Sweden: Money - postgiro 628643-9, Yeah Man; Forms - Countrv Currencv Subscription Autumn Current The Rhythm Hot Shots, Ploggatan I, S-11634 Stockholm. Germany DM 35 4 8 USA: Dancing Star Productions, to DSP c/o Nancy H. Sweden SEK 140 15 30 Sandburg, 811 Knapp Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. UK £ 9 1.25 2.25 Germany/UK/World: Dancing Star Productions, Ground USA $ 19 2.50 5 Floor Flat, 135 Sutherland Avenue, London W9 2QJ. World £ 13 1.50 3 *Hoppin' is P.Ublished quarterly - Autum!',W_inter, Spring, Summer. Back issues are ava1lable on a l1m1ted basis. Pnces mclude postage.

Pagel5 Lindy Hop Events Hoppin' Spring '94

What's Hoppin' Around the World Boogie '94 Herrang Dance Camp Catskills, NY, USA, 3-5 June'94. Herrling, Sweden. 9 July-6 Aug Next is:sue: Contact: Boogie Dance Product­ '94. Contact Rhythm Hot Shots. Special Features ions. phone +l 212 260 2033 phone +46 8 643 40 58. (see ad • The Swedes Talked to Al page /0) Minns Midsummer Night's • S tlight on Zoots & Spangles Swing Swing Masters Jam po • .. Wfiat·E;;erHappened to New York, NY, USA, 25 June London, UK. 26-29 August '94. "Mama Lou.Parks and her '94. Will include a special cele­ Contact: Fred Hunt/ Beckie '-· Dancers? bration of Frankie's birthday. Menckhoff, +44 81 866 9093 or • nie'California Scene Burt in an uncharacteristically .· Contact Cynthia Millman, BALH Sing Lim, +44 71 483 1055. (see serious moment. ;r· . for info. phone +l 212 989 2315 ad page 12) Reg.ular Features In Memorium a What's Hoppin' Around the Summer Workshop Winter Boogie World: Lindy events There was a sad event recently Oslo, Norway, 27 June - 3 July Catskills, NY, USA. 27-29 • LindyListings '94. Lindy Hop, Street Jazz, Big January'95. Contact: Boogie in London - 01)e of the regular • Classifieds Apple, Tap. Contact Freddy Dance Product-ions. phone +l dancers on the scene died of a Haugan, Bardar Dance Institute 212 260 2033 heart attack on the dance floor. • Lindy Bits - news from around the world phone +47 22 20 90 LO A particularly gentle, giving, and American Swing unassuming soul, Burt Cowls will Plus Augusta Heritage Arts Dance Championships be missed. However, his friends • Why Do You Dance? We'll Workshop Swing Week New York, NY, USA. 7-9 April take solace in the fact that he be surveying people in New W. Virginia, USA. 17,22 July '95. Contact: ASDC. phone +l died with a smile on his face, York - feel free to send in '94. Contact Augusta Heritage 212 260 2033 or l 800 537 8937. doing what he loved. your story. Center. phone + I 304 636-1903 *indicates new information since last issue . ...and more!

Lindy Hop News Worldwide lllfltiM.t�l i �� ', , ' �·�): ;:,: .'(s , : ' Dancing Star Productions P.O. Box 6008 London W2 5ZY UK