Bobby White of Swungover has created this guide to "floorcraft", or the art of dancing in small spaces without crashing into people. It's a skill all dancers need when social dancing and the video is a must-watch!
Check out one of the many fabulous performances from Beantown Bounce 2015 here!
We had a great showing of Mainers at Beantown Swing Camp 2015! Check out this video of the solo Charleston competition. If you have taken classes with Portland Swing Project, you will recognize many jazz steps you've learned!
Have you listened to "The Track" yet? It's the podcast from Ryan Swift and Yehoodi that features in-depth conversations with swing dancers, musicians, DJs, and instructors from the world of Lindy Hop. The episodes are here for your downloading pleasure.
Check out Skye and Frida at Gastroswing (Spain) in June 2015 with the Gordon Webster Band!
The "Heavy" Follower: There are several reasons why a follower can seem "heavy" to a lead. Find out all about it at Bobby White's blog, Swungover (hint: it has nothing to do with a follower's size)!
Tuesday, May 26 is World Lindy Hop Day and the late Frankie Manning's birthday! Read all about it at worldlindyhopday.com. Learn more about Frankie Manning at frankiemanning.com and at the Frankie Manning Foundation. Promote the spirit of Frankie with these values: respect, generosity, inclusivity, humbleness, joy, and authenticity to the roots of the dance.
Check out the State Street Traditional Jazz Band's appearance on WCSH from May, 2015. You can hear them every Sunday afternoon in the Old Port in the summer.
This video of 102-year-old Alice Barker watching herself on film as a chorus dancer in the 30s and 40s went viral. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out!
Check out this clip of Remy Kouakou Kouame & Mia Goldsmith from 2014's International Lindy Hop Championships Invitational Jack & Jill (all lead/follow, no choreography.) Watch closely: you'll see lots of simple moves used musically, exuberantly and with lots of personality!
Amazing improv and musicality: Check out William and Maeva dancing at "Swingin' in the Rain" in Belgium.
What is "proprioception", and why do I care? It means "body awareness" and partner dancing requires it. Read this article from bettermovement.org to find out how it works and how you can improve it!
Shim Sham: A lot of you have been learning the Shim Sham in class. Here is a video that shows all the steps, filmed from the back. Follow the links to see more videos from Patrick and Natasha that explain all the steps.
One of the cool things about Lindy Hop is you can go anywhere in the world and dance! Here is a link to a Jack and Jill competition at a Moscow dance camp from earlier this month. (A Jack and Jill is a contest where competitors are randomly matched, so it is ALL social dancing and no choreography.) Enjoy!
Don't be that guy clapping on the ones and threes: Be cool like Duke.
Understanding and peace through social dancing: Check out this article about Palestinian and Israeli lindy hoppers who plan to finally meet up in Ireland after four previous foiled attempts.
Why "just follow" is terrible advice for followers: Another exceptional article from Bobby White about proactive following.
Jammin' on the James 2014: Check out this instructor demo from 2014's Jammin' on the James in Richmond Virginia. The end is sprinkled with the magic of lindy hop and rainbows.
Interview with Skye: Check out Chester & Linda Freeman's interview with the ever-emulated (but never duplicated) Skye Humphries.
And after you've watched that, sign up for workshops in Boston with Skye and Naomi November 28-30. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to take classes from two of the most sought-after instructors in the world!
Floorcraft: We are spoiled here in Maine with how much room we have to dance and practice at our venues. Sometimes it gets crowded though, so be respectful of your fellow dancers and check this out! It also covers other dancing etiquette that EVERYONE should read!
It's a crossover dance-off! Check out swing dancers vs. street dancers at Montreal Swing Riot 2014! It's worth your time.
Still having trouble finding the "one" in jazz music? Try reading this post from "Swing or Nothing" and practicing with the accompanying YouTube videos. It's pretty handy. Then join us on Wednesday night to test out your new skillz.
What the heck does "frame" mean?? Read this.
Swing 101: If you're just starting out with Lindy Hop, check out this article by Bobby White on Beginning Your Swing Dance Education.
ILHC 2014: Watch some of the action on YouTube.
"I can't find the 'one' in the music!" Nathan Bugh tackles the question: Where's the beat?
Midsummer Night Swing in NYC: Watch Voon and Vincenzo, winners of the lindy hop competition at Lincoln Center's MSNS, dance a victory social dance to the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. Lots of steal-able variations in here!
Are you a good dance student? Read this blog post from "The Lindy Affair" and find out.
Another highlight from Frankie100: JB Mino and Tatiana Udry performing this solo charleston routine!
National Geographic documentary "Jitterbug": See some of the greats like Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, & Dawn Hampton dance and talk about the evolution of Lindy Hop in this documentary produced by Nat Geo in 1990. It's worth watching! Click here for Part One and here for Part Two.
Frankie Manning Lesson: For those of us who never had the chance to take a class with Frankie Manning, here's an old instructional video he did with Erin Stevens!
Frankie 100 Videos: If you missed any of the video streaming of the epic celebration of Frankie 100 and World Lindy Hop Day in NYC, check out the archives here, available only for a short time until they disappear into the interweb ether!
Portland does the Lindy Chorus for Frankie 100: Watch the video here.
World Lindy Hop Day: May 2014 marks Frankie Manning's Centennial and the first World Lindy Hop Day, with a celebration in New York City from May 22-26. Find out why Frankie was considered the "Ambassador of Lindy Hop" here (from the Frankie 100 website) and see a collection of videos featuring Frankie here (from the Frankie Manning Foundation).
The physics of Lindy Hop: Get your nerd on with "The Science and Magic of Lindy Hop" from The Guardian!
Lindy Hop Moves: Check out this website for tons of fancy moves to impress everyone with your awesomeness.
Don't be a tool on the dance floor: Check out this guide to Lindy Hopper's Etiquette from Israel based on a post by Bobby White. Chock full o' good advice.
Dressing 20s Vintage: Time to start thinking about summer vintage clothes for dance events! Check out this article from the Art Deco Society of California for the gentleman and this one for the ladies.
Video: See Portland's lindy hop scene featured on WCSH6 "Fit at Five" segment with Kelly LaBrecque!
Check out one of the many fabulous performances from Beantown Bounce 2015 here!
We had a great showing of Mainers at Beantown Swing Camp 2015! Check out this video of the solo Charleston competition. If you have taken classes with Portland Swing Project, you will recognize many jazz steps you've learned!
Have you listened to "The Track" yet? It's the podcast from Ryan Swift and Yehoodi that features in-depth conversations with swing dancers, musicians, DJs, and instructors from the world of Lindy Hop. The episodes are here for your downloading pleasure.
Check out Skye and Frida at Gastroswing (Spain) in June 2015 with the Gordon Webster Band!
The "Heavy" Follower: There are several reasons why a follower can seem "heavy" to a lead. Find out all about it at Bobby White's blog, Swungover (hint: it has nothing to do with a follower's size)!
Tuesday, May 26 is World Lindy Hop Day and the late Frankie Manning's birthday! Read all about it at worldlindyhopday.com. Learn more about Frankie Manning at frankiemanning.com and at the Frankie Manning Foundation. Promote the spirit of Frankie with these values: respect, generosity, inclusivity, humbleness, joy, and authenticity to the roots of the dance.
Check out the State Street Traditional Jazz Band's appearance on WCSH from May, 2015. You can hear them every Sunday afternoon in the Old Port in the summer.
This video of 102-year-old Alice Barker watching herself on film as a chorus dancer in the 30s and 40s went viral. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out!
Check out this clip of Remy Kouakou Kouame & Mia Goldsmith from 2014's International Lindy Hop Championships Invitational Jack & Jill (all lead/follow, no choreography.) Watch closely: you'll see lots of simple moves used musically, exuberantly and with lots of personality!
Amazing improv and musicality: Check out William and Maeva dancing at "Swingin' in the Rain" in Belgium.
What is "proprioception", and why do I care? It means "body awareness" and partner dancing requires it. Read this article from bettermovement.org to find out how it works and how you can improve it!
Shim Sham: A lot of you have been learning the Shim Sham in class. Here is a video that shows all the steps, filmed from the back. Follow the links to see more videos from Patrick and Natasha that explain all the steps.
One of the cool things about Lindy Hop is you can go anywhere in the world and dance! Here is a link to a Jack and Jill competition at a Moscow dance camp from earlier this month. (A Jack and Jill is a contest where competitors are randomly matched, so it is ALL social dancing and no choreography.) Enjoy!
Don't be that guy clapping on the ones and threes: Be cool like Duke.
Understanding and peace through social dancing: Check out this article about Palestinian and Israeli lindy hoppers who plan to finally meet up in Ireland after four previous foiled attempts.
Why "just follow" is terrible advice for followers: Another exceptional article from Bobby White about proactive following.
Jammin' on the James 2014: Check out this instructor demo from 2014's Jammin' on the James in Richmond Virginia. The end is sprinkled with the magic of lindy hop and rainbows.
Interview with Skye: Check out Chester & Linda Freeman's interview with the ever-emulated (but never duplicated) Skye Humphries.
And after you've watched that, sign up for workshops in Boston with Skye and Naomi November 28-30. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to take classes from two of the most sought-after instructors in the world!
Floorcraft: We are spoiled here in Maine with how much room we have to dance and practice at our venues. Sometimes it gets crowded though, so be respectful of your fellow dancers and check this out! It also covers other dancing etiquette that EVERYONE should read!
It's a crossover dance-off! Check out swing dancers vs. street dancers at Montreal Swing Riot 2014! It's worth your time.
Still having trouble finding the "one" in jazz music? Try reading this post from "Swing or Nothing" and practicing with the accompanying YouTube videos. It's pretty handy. Then join us on Wednesday night to test out your new skillz.
What the heck does "frame" mean?? Read this.
Swing 101: If you're just starting out with Lindy Hop, check out this article by Bobby White on Beginning Your Swing Dance Education.
ILHC 2014: Watch some of the action on YouTube.
"I can't find the 'one' in the music!" Nathan Bugh tackles the question: Where's the beat?
Midsummer Night Swing in NYC: Watch Voon and Vincenzo, winners of the lindy hop competition at Lincoln Center's MSNS, dance a victory social dance to the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. Lots of steal-able variations in here!
Are you a good dance student? Read this blog post from "The Lindy Affair" and find out.
Another highlight from Frankie100: JB Mino and Tatiana Udry performing this solo charleston routine!
National Geographic documentary "Jitterbug": See some of the greats like Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, & Dawn Hampton dance and talk about the evolution of Lindy Hop in this documentary produced by Nat Geo in 1990. It's worth watching! Click here for Part One and here for Part Two.
Frankie Manning Lesson: For those of us who never had the chance to take a class with Frankie Manning, here's an old instructional video he did with Erin Stevens!
Frankie 100 Videos: If you missed any of the video streaming of the epic celebration of Frankie 100 and World Lindy Hop Day in NYC, check out the archives here, available only for a short time until they disappear into the interweb ether!
Portland does the Lindy Chorus for Frankie 100: Watch the video here.
World Lindy Hop Day: May 2014 marks Frankie Manning's Centennial and the first World Lindy Hop Day, with a celebration in New York City from May 22-26. Find out why Frankie was considered the "Ambassador of Lindy Hop" here (from the Frankie 100 website) and see a collection of videos featuring Frankie here (from the Frankie Manning Foundation).
The physics of Lindy Hop: Get your nerd on with "The Science and Magic of Lindy Hop" from The Guardian!
Lindy Hop Moves: Check out this website for tons of fancy moves to impress everyone with your awesomeness.
Don't be a tool on the dance floor: Check out this guide to Lindy Hopper's Etiquette from Israel based on a post by Bobby White. Chock full o' good advice.
Dressing 20s Vintage: Time to start thinking about summer vintage clothes for dance events! Check out this article from the Art Deco Society of California for the gentleman and this one for the ladies.
Video: See Portland's lindy hop scene featured on WCSH6 "Fit at Five" segment with Kelly LaBrecque!