In our Homeschool PE Class on May 26th World Lindy Hop Day #LindyHopDay is what we will be celebrating and learning the Lindy Hop as part of our PE Class. We would like to ask you to come join us as we learn Lindy Hop and once we’ve mastered the dance we can hold a Dance A Thon and see who is the best dancer.
World Lindy Hop Day falls on May 26th and we are getting our dance shoes ready to hit the floor. There isn’t a better way to create some positive vibes than by dancing, especially if you’re doing it in the right environment with the perfect music. That is what Lindy Hop is all about. A dancing style that has endured time by bringing people together and helping spread joy.
Here is a fun fact for you. The Lindy Hop is also known as Jitterbug, an American dance style that made its first appearance in the late 1920s with the popularization of big bands. The Lindy Hop crosses over dance style traditions from Europe like turns and embracing holds with body postures from Africa. The Lindy Hops geographical origin can also be traced back to Harlem, New York City.
Curiously, Lindy Hops name comes from a trend that occurred after Charles Lindbergh’s successful flight across the Atlantic in 1927. Many chefs, musicians, and even business owners paid tribute to the aviator Charles Lindbergh by naming the creations and their establishments after the brave American.
The Lyndy Hop evolved together with the music it’s danced to. These musical styles stem from Charleston to Swing. Lindy Hop reached mainstream popularity during the 1930s with dance groups like the Harlem Congaroos and Hot Chocolate performing at exhibitions. The movie “Hellzapoppin’” also featured Lindy Hop dancers.
Lindy Hop enjoyed a revival since the mid 1980s, when Swing Legend Frankie “musclehead” Manning, an influential choreographer and performer of the era, was popularized the Lindy Hop.. World Lindy Hop Day was established to honor his contributions. Today, Lindy Hop communities can be found in many Cities around the world. One of the most famous examples is the town of Hërrang in Sweden, home of the Hërrang Dance Camp, a famous meet up for Lindy Hop enthusiasts.
How to Dance Lindy Hop
- Start by getting comfortable with the basic step, which involves taking three steps in one direction in tandem with your partner. The leader will move forward as the follower moves backward, etc. After pausing for a beat, take three steps in the opposite direction. This basic step is typically done on the beat of the music, so listen to the rhythms and try to match your steps to the beat.
- Practice the swingout, which is a key move in the Lindy Hop. The swingout involves swinging your partner out and then bringing them back in.
- Add in some turns and spins to add variety to your dance. The Lindy Hop is a fast-paced and energetic dance, and you’ll want to keep things interesting by incorporating different moves and techniques.
- Don’t be afraid to have fun! The Lindy Hop is all about letting go and having a good time, so don’t worry about making mistakes or looking silly. Just let the music take over and enjoy yourself.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
