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 b ack 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 ...

" He's the teacher?!   I don't want that White Boy teaching me anything!"    "He's not teaching me my dance!" And with that they - some African Americans/ Black people -  do an about face and march out of the dance classroom... ________________ Harlem and Harlemites (aw heck Black folks!) can be a challenge - and that race card goes both ways a whole lot.  With that bad word "gentrification" and the bullying tactics in the area it can have some of the locals thinking EVERYTHING is being taken/stolen away from them.  So when some folks  - Black and White - see The Harlem Swing Dance Society's main teacher Rafal Pustelny he definitely generates all kinds of reactions.  SSSSSSSSSssssshhhhh.... Most times he is unaware of it ....  ;>) Oh but what they miss out on! Rafal Pustelny has built up quite a resume from the days we met him sometime back when he proudly spoke of "Boogie Woogie" influences. Th...

On October 26th 2019 there was a special Black Lindy Hop Matters event in New York City.  Usually held in Harlem (for the past 2 years) the event was moved downtown for a special screening event honoring Lindy Hop Preservationist and Visionary Ms. Louise "Mama Lu" Parks Duncanson.  Thru her efforts and with many of the Savoy Ballroom & Savoy Manor Lindy Hop Dance Legends (who won titles at the famed NYC Harvest Moon Ball contest) it was imperative that they share stories. These dancers pictured assisted her in numerous ways, and thus they ALL kept Harlem's Lindy Hop culture alive locally and around the world... Ms. Novaks, a Black Cultural Reporter and Artist was on hand at this event, and was shocked at what she saw and learned.  Ms. Barbara Jones assured her this event was only the tip of the iceberg.  This eventually lead to an interview with some pointed and needed questions... .  1. Is there a State of emergency for Bla...

Black Lindy Hop Matters  How so and How much? Dedication, Destructiveness and Decisions:  The plight for some Black Dancers Have you read this recent viewpoint "Who is to fight Racism in Dance"?  Please take a look  http://dogpossum.org/category/ lindy-hop-and-other-dances/ black-lindy-hop-matters/ When it comes to Black Lindy Hop Matters "movement" White people can do something about getting more Black people involved and within the scene - but they are not obligated to.  Even if the current state of affairs is not their fault.  But it is refreshing to read and especially meet those who do see (and understand) that some changes are overdue.... and could be welcoming. Yet with the few numbers that there are in comparison, its Black folks who are waiting and whining about it. Not all of course. These ones are still frequenting the main or major venues and events; they attend and then snarl about what they see tha...

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). ...