#wilda crawford

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Here are Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson at the Savoy Ballroom in 1941. Formal and informal dance contests were a regular feature at the Savoy, and for the best dancers they led to professional careers performing in movies and theater. It was during such a contest that Frankie Manning introduced the first Lindy Hop air step, flipping his partner over his head. Such innovations were encouraged by the friendly rivalry among Savoy dancers. The air step in the picture is called over-the-head and is believed to have been first done by Tops (Thomas Lee) and Wilder (Wilda Crawford) who won the Nee York Daily News’ Harvest Moon Ball Lindy Division in 1940.

[American Lindy Hop Championships]

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“You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams. And I know if I can make you smile by jumping over a couple of couches or running through a rainstorm, then I'll be very glad to be a song and dance man.”

― Gene Kelly

#dance #dancers #Lindy Hop #quotes #Gene Kelly

[danceoftheday]

Thanks to @intergalacticgazette for requesting lindy hop!

Performed by: Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers (Wilda Crawford, Joe Daniels, Joyce Daniels, William Downes, George Grenidge, Frances “Mickey” Jones, Thomas “Tops” Lee, Frankie Manning, Lucille Middleton, and Norma Miller)

Number: “The Big Apple”

Choreographer: Frankie Manning

Style: Lindy Hop

From: Keep Punching (1939)

#dance #lindy hop #frankie manning #choreography #norma miller #whitey's lindy hoppers #wilda crawford #joyce daniels #joe daniels #william downes #george grenidge #frances jones #mickey jones #thomas lee #tops lee #lucille middleton #the big apple #vintage #dancing #dancers #retro #swing #swing dancing #swing dancers #1939 #1930s #swing dance #keep punching