Saturday 10 July 2010

A Hot Hopper

Last night I swung to the sound of a swing band, and did my best ‘I don’t know how to lindy-hop but will do a bit of mad hopping anyway’ at the Royal Albert Hall. This was the scene:


How do other ladies dance with such energy and still look immaculate? After my wildly enthusiastic but clueless freestyle I looked as though I had been busting moves in a sauna. But oh the dances! Fifties skirts swirled, vintage headscarves quivered, baggy trousers and braces rock-stepped – the floor was a whirl of people. Half the fun was watching them (and then trying to join in!)

Lindy hop fuses the Charleston with the jazz era. It is mainly a partner dance, and can be highly energetic as ladies are swung around in the air, men jump over each other, and all sorts of dance shenanigans carry on at high speed. But there are lots of different moves that allow people of all ages and ability to enjoy the music – and what music! Songs like Happy Feet, music from the Glenn Miller era, Duke Ellington – fantastic to hear in such a wonderful venue.

For a bit of pure frantic lindy-hopping, here is the youtube snippet from the 1941 film Hellzapoppin’.



And since we are currently feeling so hot here in London, a big warm welcome to new followers – 202 of you lovely folk have now clicked the follow button! Picture me doing the Snoopy dance of happiness, with a little lindy circle thrown in. Thank you!


Snoopy pic credit: Charles M. Schulz

16 comments:

Theresa Milstein said...

It looks like fun. I like dancing but I feel awkward because I never had lessons, so I'm worried I look ridiculous - like Elaine in "Seinfeld".

Mystica said...

Looks like you had a good time!

Old Kitty said...

Yay!!! *clapping enthusiastically*!!!

I would have loved to have seen you lindy hop!!!!! I love that clip!! The energy, the athleticism, the knickers!! Good grief!!

Well done you!! And yay to your 202 and GROWING followers!!

Take care
x

Joanne said...

Things look hot inside in London too! Wow, what a great time to be had, looks like a whole latte fun ;)

The Words Crafter said...

That looks like it was a lot of fun. I'm like Theresa (still chuckling), I would look like Elaine, too! I'm impressed that you can do those moves!

cArLa said...

congratulations over 200 followers - yay! my hubby used to swing me from side to side, but he might break his back nowadays... lol. that looks like a lot of fun, i really love the 40s and 50s music too.

Nicole said...

Oooh I love dancing :) and congrats at 200 followers!

Anonymous said...

Congrats for 200 followers - you deserve to be successful.

All Thai people are good dancers because the ground is baked hot by the sun and barefoot is the usual attire. A hop, a skip, and a jump is mandatory.

Have a nice day, Boonsong

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the 200 followers.

I've only been to the Albert Hall for concerts so I'm trying to imagine it full of hopping humanity. Wish my arthritis would let me lindy hop!

Wendy Ramer, Author said...

Looks like a blast. Wish I'd been there!

Jayne said...

Theresa – It was so much fun! I think I will have to sign up for some lessons though, as I would love to know how to do the moves.

Mystica – It was fab!

Old Kitty – Haha, there was lots of enthusiastic clapping Friday night. Big arms stretched ‘hell-yeah’ clapping! I am more of a hopper than a lindy-hopper at present, need lessons. But the clip is fab, isn’t it? I would love to find that energy!

Jayne said...

Joanne – Very hot, the temperature was sizzling!

The Words Crafter – It was lots of fun. I still have a long, long way (and some lessons) to go before I can even do half those moves though. But don’t they look grand?!

cArLa – Oh wow, how cool is that! My music collection is so eclectic. I love all sorts – from 1920s jazz to contemporary pop/ dance. But it is so nice to put on some forties and fifties music and let it fill the house.

Jayne said...

Nicole MacDonald – Thank you! And yes, can’t beat some dancing!

Boonsong – Thank you, that is very nice of you to say. Love your words of wisdom at why Thai people are good dancers – makes lots of sense!

Christine – Thank you! The Royal Albert Hall is such a wonderful versatile venue. I usually go to see classical concerts (big fan of the Proms season), but have also seen Blondie there, and now have been for a boogie – fantastic!

Wendy – It was such a giggle. You should come over some time!

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge said...

Admittedly, I've only gone swing dancing a few times in my life, but I've always enjoyed it. I hope you had a blast. :)

Jen said...

That's amazing! I would love to swing dance, but I'm afraid at the moment I might injure myself and everyone around me!

Sounds like you had tons of fun!

Cheers,
Jen

Annette Taylor-Anderson said...

Fantastic - love it!