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 ...

                                                        Saturday Night July 15th 2017 - the FINAL NIGHT of Mid Summer Night Swing (MSNS) in New York City. Some heavy hearts are obvious as this classic and Special Summer dance staple nears it's end.  But one person's heart is touched to hear her family's musical legacy blaring from the DJ Booth, a bit more than they anticipated. On this night the MSNS DJ played -  on average -  three to four of Eddie Durham's compositions for Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Bennie Goodman or  Jimmie Lunceford. This year she heard Blues In The Groove (Lunceford), Sent For You Yesterday & Here You Come Today (Basie), WHAM REBOP BOOM BAM (Benny Goodman) and Durham's Infamous ARRANGEMENT of IN THE MOOD for Glenn Miller, one of the most famous arrangements globally. ...

Harlem’s Dilemma:  Not Alive and Kicking’s Fault                       Aftermath It’s been almost 4 months since one person’s major shock in Harlem about Alive and Kicking . Seeing it on the big screen was indeed a big SMACK for some present, or unfamiliar with what’s happening outside of Harlem with the community’s most famous dance.  Thus the above reaction but honestly some others who were there and who are on the NYC screen were stunned and a little surprised too… Basically they were insulted that it took 40 minutes in the film before this topic was addressed “Where is the Black Community”?  Indeed people of color WERE missing from the filmed scenes - except say a few raisins in the background in scenes – but don’t blame the filmmaker.  There are quite a few reasons why For many of color it’s been a jolt of electricity to see this film…. But then the initial “rush” or feel...