F.A.Q
What is Swing Dancing?
Swing Dancing refers to a variety of dances that developed and were popular back around the ‘swing’ era of jazz. This was from about the mid 20s though to the mid 40s and the time when jazz was the most exciting and popular form of music in the United States. As the music evolved so did the dancing, the swing era itself ran from 1935 to 1946 when the kids were into the big band sound, but swing dancing today typically covers dances that came before that period too like the Charleston and Balboa
What is the Lindy Hop?
The Lindy Hop is possibly the biggest of the swing dances (and our favourite). You know those movies set during WW2 where the dance scenes have girls being thrown through the air? Well, that’s modern Hollywood’s version of it! Don’t worry, in reality you can go through an entire night without leaving the ground.
It developed in Harlem N.Y. back in the 30s and was pretty much a street dance that evolved over time with the dancers imitating and out doing each other. It’s a fun, energetic and occasionally crazy dance that today also celebrates the music and culture of the era
This clip from the move Hellzapoppin’ is one of the original and best clips of all time
Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers from the movie Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
Something a bit more recent and at quite a different tempo!
Alice Mei & Thomas Blacharz (France) performing at the Prague Swing Spring Festival
Do I have to do tricks and flips?
Not at all. At social dances you don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable doing.. ever! As for class, we occasionally run small pops classes for our intermediate students where it’s really jumps and a few basic tricks where you don’t go upside down and are in complete control. Any big aerial classes we do are always run as workshops and not part of the weekly schedule so you only need to attend if it’s something you’re interested in
What should I bring / wear to class?
You just need to bring a bottle of water, wear flat shoes and comfy clothes.
Can we practise after class?
You sure can, we always play a few tunes after class at Vic Park and Fremantle so you can stay back and have a dance. Our Innaloo venue has a ‘mini social’ once a month, so you can buy yourself a drink from the bar and have a dance or two.
What’s the average age group of your students?
Our student’s age can range from 17 to over. While the majority are probably in their 20s/30s everyone is more than welcome. The average class is similar to a brisk walk and we always build up our faster classes so you can dance to whatever level you’re comfortable with.
Who is Frankie Manning?
Probably not a question asked by most beginners but we felt we couldn’t quite end this section without mentioning the man who helped create and then revive the dance we love so much. The late Frankie Manning is one of the original and best lindy hoppers from back in the 30s, the inventor of the air-step and one of the greatest dancers of all time. He’s in that Hellazapoppin video (wearing the overalls).
Here’s a clip of him telling the story of the first air-step.. it’s a long one, so sit back and enjoy!
Frankie Manning’s first aerial
