![]() ![]() The Savoy Ballroom was one of the few ballrooms open to people of any colour. Lindy Hop originated in a time where there were many separations between black and white people in the American society. Lindy Hop made its way to Europe through International Trade shows and world exhibitions as early as the late 1920s and 1930s, and was also danced by American troops in Europe in the 1940s. Performance groups like the well known ‘Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers’ performed some iconic routines and also made their appearance in Hollywood films. In the 1930s Lindy Hop entered the mainstream culture and the dance really took off. Not long after its start a new wave of dancers including Norma Miller, Frankie Manning, Al Minns, Pepsi Bethel and Leon James took the dance to another level and introduced the iconic ‘air steps’ to the dance. In the early Savoy Ballroom days dancers like ‘Shorty’ George Snowden, Mattie Pernell, Big Bea, Leroy Stretch and Little Bea pioneered when Lindy Hop first emerged. Many talented dancers have influenced the development of Lindy Hop since its early start. The dance has different positions (open and closed) and steps. It used elements from African American dances and European partnered dance. Lindy Hop evolved from different dances, including jazz, tap, breakaway and 1920s Charleston. It is said the name Lindy Hop was inspired by aviator Charles Lindbergh who ‘hopped’ the Atlantic ocean in 1927. It was danced first in the famous Savoy Ballroom by African American dancers in 1928, and was danced throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Lindy Hop is an African American dance, which originates from Harlem, New York City. At The Swing Era we mainly dance Lindy Hop, which is one of the four swing dances (Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Charleston). We’ve gathered some amazing historical photos of swing dancing for you here:Īll swing dance styles are jazz dances and ‘swing’ referred to the style of Jazz music called Swing music. Most people associate swing dancing with the iconic aerials or ‘air steps’ and high energy. ![]() They have followed a rigorous training programme and built up many years of experience to deliver clear and positive instruction in a fun and friendly environment.You might have seen swing dancing in old films, videos or came across as performance somewhere. Our instructors are great teachers as well as having a love for lindy hop. ![]() Many independent lindy hop teachers are simply enthusiastic dancers who want to share their love, but lack in teaching and organisational expertise. Structured Lessons Accommodate all Learning Styles These courses are normally taught as a 10 week course, but sometimes they are run as intensive mini-courses when the opportunity arises. ![]() If you are ready to learn lindy hop then we have the classes for you! A series of lindy hop courses has been created, starting with lindy hop fundamentals at beginner level. The majority of social lindy hop dancers and lindy hop teachers in the Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey have participated in our 10 week Swing Jive courses or attended Swingeasy early in their dancing education before progressing on to lindy hop, which shows that our pathway to lindy hop is a great route to take. The thorough tuition on the SwingJive courses allows time to build up general dancing technique and confidence over time. Starting with Absolute Beginners, our series of 6 SwingJive courses were designed to take people from zero to lindy hopper at a steady pace. If you have never danced before we recommend that you start with our Jive Courses instead. The rewards come when you are able enjoy a social dance using this incredibly free and expressive dance style that encourages personal interpretation. Quick learners or those with experience in other dance styles tend to cope best with lindy hop. There are basic footwork rhythms, unique body and styling positioning as well as lead and follow technique to learn early on. Lindy hop is one of the most challenging styles of dance to learn, accomplishing the basics takes a degree of determination. If you’re new to lindy, then our 3 week Intensive Beginners Lindy Hop Course is a quick and easy way to get you up and running with the basics. There is a blossoming lindy hop scene in Hampshire, more people are learning and dancing Lindy Hop than ever before. ![]()
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