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About the Lindy Hop:
Born in Harlem, New York, at the Savoy Ballroom, the lindy hop is the original swing dance from the 30's, 40's, and 50's
danced to Big Band Swing, Jump Blues, and early Rock 'n Roll. The
American born dance is a blend of West African dance movements with
European social dancing. Lindy Also incorporated the Charleston, the
Cakewalk, the black bottom, and other popular dances of the era.
Characteristics of "the lindy" include swivels, aerials (air
steps), kicks, rhythmic footwork, and energetic turns. The look of Lindy
Hop is down low with bent knees and waist and open arms. One can pike
forwards or backwards depending on style. Lindy Hop can be danced very
fast (300bpm) or very slow (90bpm) and everything in between.
Lindy hop evolved into West Coast Swing
during the 60's and 70's and changed as the music changed. In the late
80's and 90's Lindy Hop was rediscovered and made popular again with the
help of original Lindy Hopper Frankie Manning, vintage video clips,
neo-swing bands, movies like Swing Kids, Malcolm X, Swingers, and the
Gap Commercial "Khakis Swing". Today, Lindy Hop survives
because of the dedication of instructors and Lindy exchanges that are
held in different cities around the world.
Other terms for Lindy Hop are Jitterbug,
Jive, Jump, and East Coast Swing. East Coast Swing is the 6 count
pattern that Lindy Hopper's do that many ballrooms teach as a separate
dance. There are also some swing line dances and routines that are known
worldwide such as The Shim Sham, The Big Apple, Dean Collin's Shim Sham,
The California Routine, and The Jitterbug Stroll.
Lindy Hop is a street dance in that it's
ever changing, done mostly socially, and is open to lots of inspiration
and new steps.
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AZ Lindy Hop Society Dances:
TUESDAYS:
Fatcat Ballroom - Phoenix
3131 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, AZ
7:30 pm: Swing Dance Lesson with Steve
8:30pm - 11:00 pm: Dance to DJ or live band
$7 includes dance lesson and dance.
ALL AGES
THURSDAYS:
Paragon Dance Center
931 E Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Swing Dance lesson
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm: DJ or Live Band
$7. ALL AGES WELCOME
For a more visit the Calendar
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