The Lindy Hop Dance

Between the 1920s and 1930s, the Lindy Hop was created, which was considered a dance that would revive the Golden Era of swing thanks to the contribution of Frankie “Musclehead” Manning. Terry Monaghan, author of the New York Times Magazine, describes Manning as “a master of swing-era dance who went from the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem to Broadway and Hollywood, and then after a long break enjoyed a globe-trotting second career as an inspirational teacher and choreographer of the Lindy hop.” The Lindy Hop is a combination of various dance steps, can be done solo or with a partner, and is usually danced with jazz music. This vernacular dance was a way for black and white people to come together and dance freely originally in Harlem, New York City. Around the time the Lindy Hop was created, the Great Migration occurred. Approximately six million African-Americans moved from the Southern

16). The dancers maintain calmness throughout their dancing by staying focus, but also by letting the music flow within their bodies. With all the flamboyant movements, the dancers have this sort of style that is flashy in addition. This is admirable because the dancers could be portrayed as professionals due to how they maintain the balance between the music beats, movements, and guiding their partners, if not solo. In a way, the Lindy Hop is all about the art of expressionism. The ones who dance the Lindy Hop are able to express themselves in multiple areas, such as attitudes, dance steps, and facial expressions. There is not one specific way to perform this dance since it is considered a street, flexible type of dance. Monaghan stated that “(Manning) always conveyed the muscular and pile-driving yet rhythmically rich style of his heyday, when he propelled partners through the air at lightning speeds,” which is suggested that anyone, including Manning, could make up new dance moves to go along with the Lindy