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Foundational Black Americans are undoubtedly inspiration for the most popular industries even though we’re underrepresented in those same industries!
Our art and what we create is 100% inspiration for so many groups and what they create and build their industries on!
Keeping on the dance trend, I wanted to share this video that I used to watch over and over when I first started dancing YEARS ago. Al Minns and Leon James were AMAZING. The variety of Charleston steps they show here are just a taste of what you might see in a Charleston competition these days. (Are people doing Charleston comps anymore??) It's also great to see how Charleston was one of the predecessors of the Lindy Hop. I love this dance. I miss dancing.
The Lindy Hop scene in Hellzapoppin' (1941)
Frances “Mickey” Jones & William Downes
Norma Miller and Billy Ricker
Willa Mae Ricker and Al Minns
Ann Johnson and Frankie (Frank) Manning
“…Frankie Manning was a crucial member and choreographer for Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, the professional performing troupe of Savoy Ballroom swing dancers, that was formed in 1935 by Herbert “Whitey” White. The Hellzapoppin' dance number was also choreographed by Manning.”
Two of the most famous members of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Al Minns & Leon James dance in this clip from the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Filmed during the 50s and danced by original jazz dancers in the 30s. Watching this makes it painfully obvious where modern hip hop dance comes from.
now add modern music... and Krump this... Krumping is an urban street dance form characterized by free, expressive, and highly energetic moves involving the arms, head, legs, chest and feet. It has become a major part of hip hop dance culture. What Whitey's Lindy Hoppers are doing in this early 1950's clip could be described the same way Al Minns interview. This guy is RAD.
One of the few primary vintage source videos we have of blues dancers. It’s in a studio, so not perhaps representative of “everyday” blues dancing, but it definitely gives you an idea.
Frankie Manning + Norma Miller Dancing!
So okay. During SATS, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of amazing clips that are relevant to the history of dancing and lindy hop.
This video is as Norma Miller says, “the last time Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers danced together”. This video was taken in 1985, just a few months before Al Minns passed away Unfortunately I only got a clip of Norma + Frankie dancing and I didn’t get everyone, but I realized I should maybe have some footage of this historical clip.
When the video stop playing, Norma teared up and said, “These were the best damn dancers in the world...and now they’re gone.....you guys just broke my damn heart.”
*cue my low key crying in the corner*
Just....sigh. her whole expression. She really was heartbroken. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be.
Al Minns and Leon James doing the Charleston. From 1:25 on I see a lot of similarity to voguing.
JUST
YES
The Original
