Did you know that our favourite dance style has it’s very own holiday? That’s right, 26th May is Frankie Manning’s birthday which we now celebrate as World Lindy Hop Day! You may be wondering, how does one celebrate this brilliant holiday? Does the Lindy Fairy come round to leave gifts in our dance shoes? Do we dress in vintage clothes and knock on our neighbours’ doors asking for a dance? Maybe not but here are our suggestions of how to mark this auspicious day:
- Read up on Lindy Hop history: Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop, Swingin’ at the Savoy: the Memoire of a Jazz Dancer, Swing History 101 (Swungover blog)
- Bring a non-dancing friend to a dance class or social and share the love!
- Attend a local World Lindy Hop Day event. For dancers that are local to our area check out this WLHD event in York on 25th May
- Watch some old dance clips. This Lindy Clips Index has links to pretty much everything that’s out there.
- If there aren’t any special events happening in your scene why not organise something yourself? Make a normal class or social extra special by offering a bring-a-friend deal or bringing cake, organise a house party or a dance in a park, get some friends together and lindy bomb a local jazz club.
- Post about your lindy hop journey on social media—how has dancing enhanced your life?
- Make a donation to the Frankie Manning Foundation
- Send WLHD greetings to your favourite dance partners
Swing Dance Leeds 