In Remembrance of Ruby Reeves

Ruby Reeves went to Smalls Paradise in the 1980s and witnessed the transition of social dancing going from uptown to downtown. She knew Mama Lu Parks and many of the regular Monday night Harlem crowd that listened and danced to Al Cobbs Band. She performed professionally doing the Tranky Doo (or her version the Cranky Doodle").

It has been stated but not confirmed that she was also part of the 1982 famous Harvest Moon Ball dance competition. But back in 1988 when a tribute was given to Mama Lu (Tapping Through an Evening in Honor of Mama Lu Parks ) she was in grand company

https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/29/arts/review-dance-tapping-through-an-evening-in-honor-of-mama-lu-parks.html

Naturally she saw and experienced the "exodus" of Harlem's dance traveling from uptown to downtown. And uptown folk seemingly going with the flow because - in her words - "we weren't doing anything in our community". Thus part of the sad reality currently in Harlem, and how the area is trying to recoup a solid growing footing on their famed dance artform of the Lindy Hop in its birthplace....

When one of our cherished elders leaves us we lose an encyclopedia of treasured heartfelt memories, wisdom and more. Sadly this month we lost this classy lady but we have documentation.

Our sympathy goes out to her family who surely lost a gem...

Its nice to share, but a good piece of the action with Lindy Hop culture should have stayed in its Harlem home. It's not too late however with a new generation to keep it growing back.... dancers who can be inspired by the memories and experiences of Ms. Ruby. The Harlem Swing Dance Society will continue to do its part in this needed endeavor.

Comments

Chopping it Up: Having Fun and Reminiscing with Lindy Hop Great George Sullivan

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 Harvest Moon Ball as Champions

Beginnings: Uptown HARLEM and Downtown Dance History Connections! With Sandra Cameron and Larry Schulz - Part 1

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 with the both of them chatting to

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). The ballroom was modeled after Fagg

Search This Blog