Few are privileged to be alive today to tell first hand of the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920’s… and that they were notably able to impact Jazz Dance History in Harlem for over 80 years… But then there is Norma Miller: Dancer, Author, Choreographer, Comedienne and Actress whose career spans over eight decades! A foremost proponent of the “Lindy Hop;” she is rightfully known as the “Queen of Swing”. Her vitality, humor, generosity, humanitarian efforts and indomitable spirit make her – at 97 years young – a true American Treasure. At five years old in 1924 Norma knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life: Dance. It was the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance - and little Norma lived behind Harlem's famed Savoy Ballroom, nicknamed the "Home of Happy Feet". At 14 she won a Lindy Hop contest at the Apollo theater… and before long the feisty Norma would rise to fame as one of the first performers of the Lindy Hop as an original member of Whitey'...

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...

On May 26 th 2014 World Lindy Hop Day was declared by The Frankie Manning Foundation.  This was part of the four day celebration held in New York and part of Harlem called Frankie 100. Much of Harlem wasn’t at this event: No cut against them but in actuality they were “clueless” as to much of the festivities that were going on... Here is the schedule  http://frankie100.com/festival-a-z/event-schedule/ .   Perhaps around April and May they may have seen something in a newspaper about the event…  on a Harlem website or on Facebook , depending who their  friends were (or perhaps an ad)….  But alas there are a few reasons for this lack of Harlem “support”. One major one is that the event was advertised primarily and seemingly for the greater Lindy Hop (Land) community.  It was advertised so much so amongst Lindy Hoppers that tickets for the event - IN SEPTEMBER 2016 for MAY 2017 – were  sold out in waves – and  in mi...

George Who? Step Back; Kick, Double Kick…. That little ditty and cutey of a song was popularized in Harlem years ago for a Charleston “stop” routine, which later came to be known as “First Stops”.  Its song author is George Sullivan. George Sullivan has outlived many of his male legendary and famous peers of the late 1940’s/1950’s era of the Savoy Ballroom, but we are grateful he can tell so many of the missing links that greater Lindy Hop Land seems to neglect.  He got into Lindy Hop by accident – literally.  His wife had a bad fall with her then partner Delma “Big Nick” Nicholson.  Big Nick went on and got someone else for the upcoming Harvest Moon Ball, and George (a Non Lindy Hopper) volunteered to step in.   Sugar Sullivan laughed heartily at that notion, but low and behold they were on the stage at Madison Square Garden a few weeks later!  With more time, practice and determination (and a few years) they won the 1955 H...

Lindy Hop Died?  Find the tombstone please... Don't get me wrong here - I love the film Alive and Kicking and what it offers as a glimpse of whats happening now.  Do I like everything in there as far as whats stated?  Nope but that doesn't take away from the film. For me this is still a lively, exciting telling film that is riveting!  Its a scene that all can learn from.  How someone could say it "fell flat" is beyond me!                                                                         This was a statement made to me after the Harlem Q & A Talkback.  I was supposed to "take a more forceful position"....be stronger in "my stand" - stronger or forceful about what?  That was my second time seeing the film and I learned a bit more (despite the enthusi...

Malikia Gabay (nee Rosemary Jones) sadly  left us almost two weeks ago and she will be surely missed as a friend to The Harlem Swing Dance Society. She leaves behind her beloved son Kwabena Gabay. Malikia was the only daughter of Frances “Mickey” Jones, one of Harlem's famed dance group Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers from the Savoy Ballroom.  Mickey is notable in a few classic Lindy Hop shorts including “Cotton Tale” with Duke Ellington and Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers and the classic performance clip from "Hellzapoppin’ " that has thankfully been preserved on Youtube and other places to view.     Malikia believed the turban one was her Mom... A Daughter's late Love  for her Mom's Dance Legacy Malikia had a voice like a little girl and was a sincere giving Lady.  We would periodically meetup when she was in NYC, and of course keep in touch thru Facebook... sharing items we both found to help her in her quest for knowledge and...

The  Family Life in the Real Fam i ly            noun a   basic   social   unit   consisting   of   parents   and   their   children , considered   as   a   group,   whethe r   dwelling   together   or   not....   collectively... adjective of,   relating   to,   or   characteri stic   of   a   family... One of my friends was at the Harlem viewing and was impressed by  the  sense of family among enthusiasts.  Well here I will expound and muse quite a bit :>) For the most part dancers around the world into Lindy Hop/Swing and other Jazz dances do share a camaradarie among them: The love and appreciation for the art form of the Lindy Hop. Many would say this is mainly experienced and observed when it comes to the social dancing, certain dance move...