Dominick Robinson, Matthew Cherrington, Jessica Hand, Coral Foxworth, Kelly Robinson and Matthew Hunt "I've never heard of them!" people retort.  Well you missed out to a degree but they were part of Harlem's 20th century Lindy Hop story... perhaps rightfully so the 5th generation to keep the culture going  :>) The  Jitterbug  Kids were founded in 2001/2002 and were a group of 8...ranging in the ages of 7 to 10 years old. They were a fixture in Harlem and in NYC, performing at public and private events. Sarina Robinson started the group one year after she was inspired to start taking Lindy Hop/Swing Dance classes.  Having a Dance Studio helped as she gathered this group of children and trained them at dance workshops for one year. Then they were off! While they have grown up to be young ladies and gents they influenced many and got the attention of young and old alike.  These exciting and fun memories and groundwork that was establi...

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). ...

As already stated I have attended 4 showings of the Alive and    Kicking Documentary Film.  The first showing on April 5 th had the largest and most gregarious audience, 95% of which were Lindy Hop/Swing dancers.  In Harlem it was a mix…. But the last 2 showings had a change in dynamics.  There was a varied mix of older persons and young dancers…. It seemed like the older crowd was there to reminisce about their youth or recall when their elders did it.  Again it was a light sprinkle of black people; I encouraged them to stay for the Q & A Talk Back because they would “need” and appreciate more clarity on what they were about to see. At the Francesca Beale Theater y ou could hear better at these latter screenings for sure!  This is no cut against enthusiasm for the documentary – there was just a more concentrated interest in these characters on screen. Maybe more eagerness in a way to understand what has happened, since it was so su...

While visiting Queen of Swing Ms. Norma Miller months back she stated: “You should talk to Larry – if it wasn’t for him this thing wouldn’t have happened”... She is right: This Lindy Hop/Swing thing wouldn’t be where it is – at least in NYC.  But the beginnings are a little more “complicated” than that.  Why? Because there are all different sides and opinions out there…  in print and articles written up… some partial and some accurate to the T.  And its obvious certain people are not talking to each other and/or are trying to leave key people out of the history just enough to let them “fade away”… _________________________ Choppin’ it Up We have talked to Larry Schulz before numerous times but now we want to get to some nitty gritty and yet fun aspects that folks need to know about.  So lets start at the beginning…  because they are the beginning of the DOWNTOWN revival. Who is they?  Larry Schulz and Sandra Cameron. This time...