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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.


 


AZ Lindy Hop Society Dances:

TUESDAYS:
Fatcat Ballroom - Phoenix
3131 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, AZ
7:30 pm: Swing Dance Lesson 
with Steve and Amber
8:30pm - 11:00 pm: Dance to DJ or live band
$7 includes dance lesson and dance
ALL AGES

WEDNESDAYS:
Swing and Blues at Copper Blues - FREE.
 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ
7:30pm: The Sugar Thieves
8:30pm: Swing and Blues lesson
Band plays until 10:30pm.
FREE
21 and Over

THIRD FRIDAYS:
Just Breathe in Downtown PHX
828 N 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Swing dance lesson from 7-8pm, 
open dancing from 8-9pm. 
$5 for lesson/dance
ALL AGES

FIRST SATURDAYS:
Dance Starz AZ
5555 North 7th Street
NE Corner of 7th St. and Missouri
8:00pm: Lindy Hop Lesson
9:30pm - 12:00am: Dance to DJs or LIVE Band  
$8 for lesson/dance
ALL AGES WELCOME
Opening Night is Saturday, January 7, 2012

 


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