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Showing posts with the label Crystal Johnson

93rd Anniversary! Harlem's Savoy Balloom's Legacy and Impact

The legendary Savoy Ballroom was a large  ballroom  for music and public dancing located at 596  Lenox Avenue , between 140th and 141st Streets in   Harlem . The Savoy was the one ballroom in the area to be called the "World's Finest Ballroom".   The ballroom was 10,000 square feet in size, was on the second floor and a block long. It could hold up to 4,000 people. The interior was painted pink and the walls were mirrored. Colored lights danced on the sprung layered wood floor. It contained a spacious lobby framing a huge, cut-glass chandelier and marble staircase.  It was in operation from March 12, 1926  to July 10, 1958 ,  and owned by white entrepreneur Jay Faggen with Jewish businessman Moe Gale  (or gangster, as our dear old friend who worked there Charles Dorkins told us). It was managed by African-American business man and civic leader Charles Buchanan (who was also secretary and treasurer). ...

Black History Month 2019: Harlem's Famed Lindy Hop Dance History and its History Makers

The last day of the month: However for Harlem's rich history Black History Month  is really year round and quite bountiful.  When it comes to Harlem's signature cultural dance of the Lindy Hop the history and its History Makers there are many and their contributions priceless. Within the last 9 months or so in NYC there have been efforts to talk of this rich history in both the downtown area and uptown in Harlem.  As a quick overview and musing we'll examine a few of these a bit to show the importance of getting history straight - or accurate. June 2018 Just a few days before NYC's Mid Summer Night Swing event opened - our BEST outdoor dance party! - there was a free panel discussion on " The History of Lindy Hop".   It was m oderated by Zita Allen, a  Dance critic, author, and professor...and it was to trace the evolution of Lindy hop from its Harlem Renaissance roots to its modern-day revival.  Here is a video of ...

Historic Harlem Nights! October 26th thru the 29th: The American Lindy Hop Championships Festival

Historic Harlem Nights - Jazz and Dance! The American Lindy Hop Championships Festival: ALHC October 26th thru 29th YES online registration has Closed- but that doesn't mean you cannot get in - YOU CAN! You may purchase the door :  ALL Weekend Pass to Social Eves - $125    Harlem Evening Socials  - $25 There are a couple of FREE events  - see below So see you for Historic Harlem Nights!   More details below and the schedule: Make Harlem GREAT Again! Join us for some exciting Jazzy   Hoppin Idlewild Nights at the National Black Theater with  The American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC). Legends  of Harlem's famed Lindy Hop dance art form will return  home  for evenings of HOT music and dance reminiscent of  the  famous Savoy Ballroom!   We are welcoming back 97yr young Harlem Dance Legend ,  Entertainer and globetrotter Norma Miller; Harvest Moon  Ball  Champ...