... and the joint just kept on jumpin' Inside Jenny Brady reports from the There was little time for sight­ 1 What's Hoppin' Around Jitterbugs Swing Masters Jam seeing during the Jam though, as ,competition Winners the World/Listings 1993 the Jam Masterminds had put Classic Listings of Lindy Hop venues, together such a tantalising pro­ The first ever UK Lindy Hop Angela Cookie Andrew and contacts, and events in Europe gramme of activities that you just dance camp, the Jitterbugs Swing Dennis Mulvihill (England) and the USA (see pages 6-8) wanted to do everything, see Masters Jam 1993, proved to be Alrsteps everything, and miss nothing! three days of foot stompin', Lindy Ivan and Elisabet Berggren "We'd Like to See the Hoppers were treated to a talk (Sweden) Hoppin' FUN! The Jam took Whole World Swinging" on the history of Lindy, a dance place September 3-5 at Brunel Jackand Jill Erin Stevens and Steve Mitchell competition, and even an im­ University just west of London. Deborah Huisken and tell of their search for the original promptu fashion show featuring Aubrey Schultz (England) Lindy Hop enthusiasts came from Lindy Hoppers (see page 5) all over the world and Brunel, a the latest in Lindy Hop couture, dance footwear, and jewellery. enough, the couples then had to campus University set in pleasant, Zoots European Tour An impressive dance display by dance to music chosen by the leafy grounds, proved to be a Zoots and Spangles, one of the Kent Youth Group proved organisers! convenient location minutes from London's most exciting pro­ Lindy's enduring appeal even to There were demonstrations the airport and accessible by fessional Lindy companies, will be the under 25s. Group members from the Masters themselves and road, rail, and tube. Those who touring Germany, Luxembourg, were aged between 13 and 18, a great performance by Zoots wanted to could easily hit central and Austria in November and and it was encouraging to see and Spangles featuring excerpts London to shop around and see December (see page 7) Lindy performed by kids three ( continued on page 6 ) the sights. generations removed from its origins in the 1930s. However, for most Hoppers, the major attraction of the week­ end was the dance workshops: Classic Lindy, West Coast Swing, Introductory Jazz Steps, the Big Apple, the Jitterbug Stroll, and Airsteps (the latter definitely not for the faint-hearted). Each workshop or, more appropriately, Masterclass, was taught by pro­ fessional Lindy Hoppers who had long mastered the art of Lindy and who are among the world's most experienced Lindy teachers (see page 6). Some Hoppers were not con­ tent just to learn, they also wanted to compete. Throughout the weekend, heats took place to find the UK Lindy Hop Champions in Jack and Jill, Classic, and Airstep categories. In true tradition, Jack and Jill competitors ( the largest Angela Andrew, Dennis category) were paired at random Frankie Manning (right) and Ryan Francois. For more smiles from this Mulvihill- Classic Winners and, as if that wasn't daunting Summer's SwedishDance Camp in Herrling, see page 3. Editorial Hoppin' Autumn '93 Welcome to Hoppin' Welcome to the inaugural issue of Hoppin', tacts in Asia and the rest of the world. It was the newsletter for Lindy Hoppers worldwide. exciting to learn while researching for this is­ During my travels in Europe and the US sue of activity in Japan - if you know of more, since starting to dance over three years ago, let us know! I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of We'll give you historical information about Swing dancers. I was curious to know where Lindy, a glimpse of the Lindy scene wherever Publisher and Editor: others dance in the countries I visited, so I it's happening, and interviews with some of the Deborah Huisken started compiling a list. current masters of the art, both the remaining The more I learned about Swing dancing, Lindy Hoppers from the early days, and the International the more I became interested in Lindy Hop, new generation which is (oh so!) active today. Correspondent: both as a social and as a performance dance. For instance, not only was the 5th Annual Rob van Haaren I found that the interest and activity level in Herrang Dance Camp held in Sweden this Europe is very high - perhaps higher per cap­ year, but the first annual Swing Masters Jam Contributing Editor: ita than in the States, where Lindy began. was held in London and the first International Jenny Brady While in Herrang this summer, I had the Swing Dance Festival in Santa Barbara as well. opportunity to hear Frankie Manning telling There are growing numbers of Lindy Hoppers Additional Contributions: stories of his career in the '30s, '40s, and '50s. in Austria, in Hungary, and in Switzerland. I was able to interview some of the teachers The activity in Germany, centred around (but Monica Coe, Erin Stevens, Lennart who came to camp from all over the US and not limited to) Munich, is rapidly making it the Westerlund Europe. It became increasingly clear to me fourth largest Lindy capital after England, that precious little exists in writing which will Sweden and the US. And in the States there Editorial Assistance: endure after the originators are gone. are dance camps, performance tours, and Julia Saul This newsletter grew from my own interest, workshops happening regularly all over the and from talking to others who share that country. You'll read about the events, the Consultant: interest. Our common goal can be summed up scenes, the people who make them happen, and Christian Batchelor in three words: worldwide Lindy community. more, in the pages and issues to come. We hope to document the worldwide interest We want this newsletter to be about and from Submissions: and experience that exists, evidenced by the the Lindy Hop community. We're still building Submissions forfuture issues should be sent range of countries represented at events held our knowledge pool, so if your event or venue to Hoppin', c/o Dancing Star Productions, over the past year. We will cover events, and is not included, our apologies - we will continue activities which are primarily Lindy in content. to work on finding and including everyone. Ground Floor Flat, 135 Sutherland Avenue, And we hope in the process to help build our London W9 2QJ, UK. phone +44 71 402 We can do that with your help. There are ad­ community, so we can all share the fun and at dresses and phone numbers for those working 3565 or +44 71 289 9450. Deadline for the same time help keep this dance we love on this newsletter in the masthead. So enjoy Winter issue December 1 1993. alive and flourishing. what's to follow, then contact us and let us So far, we primarily cover Europe and the know what's Hoppin'! Advertising: US, but only because we have yet to find con- Accepted for worldwide Lindy-related pro­ --Deborah Huisken ducts, events, venues, organisations. Edito­ rial calendar, rates, and deadlines available p.s. Many thanks to everyone who contri­ on request from Hoppin' (see above). buted photographs for this issue - keep them coming! And a� grateful thank you to all Subscriptions: who helped get this first issue offthe ground - it wouldn't have been as good (or as fun!) with­ Hoppin' is published quarterly Autumn, out you. Winter, Spring, and Summer. For subscrip­ tion information, contact in the USA: Upbeat Productions, P.O. Box 2008, Santa Barbara, CA 93102; in Sweden: the Rhythm Hot Shots, c/o Lennart Westerlund, Ploggatan 1, S-116 34 Stockholm; rest of the world Dancing Star Productions (see Special Get Well above). Message Frankie Manning is currently recouperating ©1993 Dancing Star Productions. All rights reserved. from a recent hip replacement operation. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or I'm sure all Lindy Hoppers join the Hoppin' mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by team in wishing Frankie a speedy and any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher. complete recovery. Page2 I Report - 5th Annual Herrang Dance Camp Hoppin' Autumn '93 Do They Ever Sleep in Sweden? people's priority lists as danc­ honouring Frankie and his contri­ ing usually continued until bution to Lindy forevermore. four in the morning! Also at this year's camp was the There was a different Swing Throughthe Years exhibit event every night, including compiled by Cynthia Millman of the Bia Manen (Blue Moon) the New Yark Swing Dance Cabaret, a Speakeasy (run by Society and the Big Apple Lindy some fairly shifty looking Hoppers. This extensive display characters), Swedish lessons of photographs, postcards, news­ (including a uniquely Swedish paper clippings, and promo sheets version of Lindy history), encompassed the Swing Era, the Bedtime Stories, and Perfor­ Origins of Swing, Swing Music, mance Night to show off and Swing on Stage & Screen. what was learnt in classes. Campers slept (occasionally!) Ongoing activities included in Herrang's extensive range of Tapping (front, left to right) 86bis Lasz/6, Szikora Boglarka (Hungary), Veronica Demetria (Germany), Monica Coe (USA) the Bia Manen Cafe, run by "luxury hotels" (i.e. floor space) - the irrepressible Anna and the Sheraton, the Hilton, and our Fia, a most entertaining daily personal favourite, the Penta. Al­ Deborah Huisken recalls the Thwaite (UK), Barbi Kaufer & camp meeting, and the Lindy ternatively, open-air accommoda­ excitement of rhe biggest Lindy Marcus Koch (Germany) and the Hop Shop with clothes, shoes, tions were available.