Comments on: Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:20:44 +0000

I tried posting this once already, but it never seemed to make it up. I just wanted to say that I’m another present-day lindy hopper and I’m thrilled to see this clip make its way into “mainstream” internet culture (as opposed to our fairly small, insular community of dance nerds, where it’s a classic).

No one does it better than these guys – they are all true innovators – but if you want to see the new guard of Lindy Hoppers, do a youtube search for “ULHS Liberation” to see contest footage (largely unchoreographed) from my favorite modern era contest.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:51:54 +0000

Oh, that’s definitely not sped up. The guy in the bib overalls is Fankie Manning, who still teaches lindy workshops at 94. I took one last spring. What an interesting guy. He and his friends there basically invented most of the lindy moves. Here’s his website if you want more info: http://www.frankiemanning.com/

-Katie (who loves dancing lindy!)

By: Zecc

Zecc — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:46:51 +0000

I remember seeing that film, Hellzapoppin’.
That’s amazing, considering I was born in the 80s.
Good, funny movie.

By: sara

sara — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:15:56 +0000

Not sped up, I’ve seen people do almost the same routine real-life

Black people were allowed to have short little skirts in those days. They didn’t need to keep themselves decent, apparently.

Look up “lindy hop” or “swing dancing” on Youtube and be amazed There’s lots of us lindyhoppers and swing dancers the world over!

By: Christophe

Christophe — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:26:52 +0000

Amazing. I wonder how many bruises and broken limbs they got training for it!

By: Polx

Polx — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:36:07 +0000

Firstly, good gravy they are amazing.

Secondly.

1941?

Wow those are some amazingly short skirts for the 40s.

By: Larfin Jackarse

Larfin Jackarse — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:52:45 +0000

If you liked that check out http://www.indavideo.hu/video/Josephine_Baker12

How fit would you have to be.

By: Xinavera

Xinavera — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:52:14 +0000

Impressive! Lots of elements of everything from breakdancing to swing in there.

It would surprise me if that wasn’t sped up at least a little bit. Definitely doesn’t look quite natural.

By: Shprocket

Shprocket — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:45:25 +0000

Haw haw, I actually have a copy of the film HELLZAPOPPIN.

By: smallerdemon

smallerdemon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:01:15 +0000

*heh* I happened to have my iPod on and just watching the video and the song that started at exactly the same time I hit play on this video was the Beastie Boys Body Movin’ Fatboy Slim remix (that’s the one they use in the Body Movin’ video) and it was remarkable well they synced up.

By: myleti

myleti — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:28:33 +0000

If I could do this, I’d rock.

However, I have the coordination of a banana, so I don’t think I would be very good at this.

I think these dancers are amazing and there are more lindy-hoppers today than you might think.

By: Babycakes

Babycakes — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:02:09 +0000

The great times of Swing and Big Band!