Lindy Hop

[The Lark]

I was just wondering how many of you vintage lovers have an interest in swing dancing? I take 4 classes a week learning to Charleston, 6-Beat and Lindy Hop. Totally hooked.

 

[swinggal]

I've been dancing Lindy for 11 years. From way back when the revival of the scene began here in Perth in 1998. I know most of the well known Aussie teachers - only because I've been around since we all started and have seen the scene grow huge over time in Australia. We were all learning together. I'm a swing DJ as well and also one of the organisers of Hullabaloo (Perth Lindy Exchange).

And yeah, I used to dance a bout 4 times a week for the first 3 years when I was learning too. It's very attictive. I love Balboa as much as Lindy and do Shag as well.

 

[The Lark]

I have only been doing the Lindy for a few weeks and I know all the basic steps, but every time I learn a new set of variations for the lesson I forget how to do the ones I learned last week. Makes it hard to free style during social dancing. Hopefully over time I'll get those moves more into my muscle memory so I can just rip it up and go nuts.

 

[dhermann1]

In January 1986, somebody in my office said to me "Dan, you'd like to take ballroom dancing lessons with us, wouldn't you?", and my mouth said "Sure!", before my brain you say "No way!". The rest is history. Mostly Swing dancing at a very mediocre but passable level ever since. I've been able to meet some amazing people through swing dancing (not the least of which was my late wife). I knew Frankie Manning, and I met many jazz greats such as Buck Clayton, Erskine Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, and Andy Kirk. Not to mention my dear friend Dawn Hampton.
Right now I want to master Charleston and then Balboa. But I'm also a great believer in those nice slow ballads where you dance a nice easy Foxtrot and get real close to your honey.

 

[MikeBravo]

I have only been doing the Lindy for a few weeks and I know all the basic steps, but every time I learn a new set of variations for the lesson I forget how to do the ones I learned last week. Makes it hard to free style during social dancing. Hopefully over time I'll get those moves more into my muscle memory so I can just rip it up and go nuts.

I have those moments after 8 years of lindy hop. Probably been taught more moves over that time than I will ever remember

Sometimes I will just steal moves from other leads on the floor, nobody complains

 

[Marla]

I just started learning Lindy a few months ago and I'm hooked! Unfortunately the dance scene here is mostly opposed to dancing Lindy, so I don't get much practice on the dance floor. I mostly dance it during lessons.

 

[Mario]

I would if I could but I cannot I know...

Ruined both of my knees, the left one just last year, so I think it wouldn't be a good idea for me to do the Lindy. It's still ok to go easy on the Charleston but right now I wouldn't dare to try any higher...

 

[Paisley]

I was just wondering how many of you vintage lovers have an interest in swing dancing?

[Raises hand]

 

[dakotanorth]

Lindy Hop you say?

I don't suppose any of you will be at Camp Hollywood this weekend?

 

[swinggal]

I have only been doing the Lindy for a few weeks and I know all the basic steps, but every time I learn a new set of variations for the lesson I forget how to do the ones I learned last week. Makes it hard to free style during social dancing. Hopefully over time I'll get those moves more into my muscle memory so I can just rip it up and go nuts.

Yep, but the basic steps in Lindy (swingouts) usually take years to become clockwork. Even the best Lindy Hoppers in the world are constantly working on them after many years of dancing and constantly refining things.

What I always tell newbies is this: get your basics down REALLY well and don't be too keen to rush ahead to do a 'tonne of new moves'. The swingout is everything in Lindy. I've seen it over and over with people trying to rush ahead and not getting their basic footwork right. Now, Im not saying that you aren't doing well, I'm just saying make sure you do lots and lots of swingout practice as well as new moves with partners. Even the variations will become muscle memory then.

The longer you dance, the more you come back to basics for your social dancing and you see that with all the big guns too all round the world on a social floor - competition is different of course. My favourite partners ever are the ones who are good leads, have good frame, do great basics and are fun. Got all those things...you will be able to lead anyone.

 

[Paisley]

^Agreed. As I've mentioned several times in the Learning to Dance thread, knowing the basics is key. Even great dancers don't always know a lot of moves. What makes them great is how they move and their skill in leading or following.

 

[olive bleu]

signed up for lindy classes a few years ago,and failed with a big, fat capital "F".I never thought of myself as having two left feet, but i just couldn't get it.Then i found out it was actually a class for advanced dancers. HA! i would love to try it again, but i have nightmares!

i think what i need is a brave dance partner

 

[MikeBravo]

signed up for lindy classes a few years ago,and failed with a big, fat capital "F".I never thought of myself as having two left feet, but i just couldn't get it.Then i found out it was actually a class for advanced dancers. HA! i would love to try it again, but i have nightmares!

i think what i need is a brave dance partner

That would scare the pants off anyone, starting in an advanced class!

 

[Sweet Caroline]

!!!

I know basic east coast swing from general ballroom lessons but I think it would be a blast to learn lindy hop! The speed at which I've seen people dance is amazing (and a little daunting)

 

[Chas]

I was a hard-core swing dancer for several years; travelled up and down the I-5 taking lessons from the LA dancers and Seattle, too. Did Camp Hollywood a couple of times, and twice to the camp in Laughlin, NV.

My favorite instructor was/is Sylvia Sykes.

 

[Vintage lover]

I would love to learn, even if latin (which I know) country, or that wiggle /spasm thing people do to hip hop music are more common here.

 

[Lou]

I'm interested in lindy hop, swing, and latin, but don't have the time to take lessons right now.

 

[dhermann1]

Balboa

I just had my very first introductory Balboa lesson last night. I've always thought it was a really neat dance to watch. I have a small gang of friends who are total Bal maniacs. One nice thing about it is that you can integrate Balboa steps into swing dancing whenever you want. It's especially good for crowded situations, because you can dance your buns off and only take up a very small amount of space.

 

[Chas]

Balboa is all that, with hot sauce. I love LH, but Bal is the sweetest when done well.

sorry; double post. The youtube HTML embed codes don't work anymore!!

 

[Chas]

Balboa is all that, with hot sauce. I love LH, but Bal is the sweetest when done well.

This clip is from the late 70s/early 80s when the old timers were still in significant numbers and dancing well; a club in LA called Bobby McGhee's. Hal Takier, Maxie Dorf, Willie Desatoff, et. al.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3OC6CuuUzg