BLM #4 Student/Teacher Resource ATJ 3M: History of the Lindy Hop The Lindy Hop evolved along side Jazz music in New York City in the 1920s and '30s. In its development, the Lindy Hop combined both partnered and solo dancing. It took the movements and improvisation of African American social dancing and combined them with the formal eight-count structure of European partner dances. This is most clearly illustrated in the Lindy Hop's basic step, the swing-out. In this step's open position, each dancer is generally connected hand- to-hand. In its closed position, men and women are connected as though in an embrace. First generation Lindy Hoppers included the dancers "Shorty" George Snowden, and his partner Big Bea. These dance partners regularly won contests at the famous Savoy Ballroom. Their dancing accentuated their difference in size with Big Bea towering over Shorty George. Frankie Manning was another Savoy Ballroom regular who eventually became part of the dance troupe Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. This group of dancers brought Swing Dancing to the forefront of popular culture in the 1930’s and 40’s. In the 1980’s there was a swing revival, and Frankie Manning began dancing and teaching the Lindy Hop to people of all ages across the globe. Many recognize the Lindy Hop as the original Swing dance. It is mainly thanks to the original greats like Frankie Manning for ensuring that this early form of popular Jazz continues to be practiced today. Resources: "Lindy Hop History". The Lindy Circle. The Lindy Circle, 2010, Web. 12 Jan. 2010. Stearns, Jean & Marshall. Jazz Dance, The Story of American Vernacular Dance. New York: Da Capo Press Inc., 1994. Print. .