Classic Routines

This is the Tranky Doo routine from Spirit Moves - originally choreographed by Frankie Manning, and danced here by (left to right) Al Minns, Pepsi Bethel and Leon James, and I've synchronised the dancing to the music used in the original - The Dipsy Doodle, by Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb's orchestra (the song was originally written by Larry Clinton) This was almost certainly *not* the music used when they danced it - the musical structure doesn't match the structure of the routine, and the Spirit Moves music was generally just added at random as an afterthought - but as that's the music people generally dance it to these days, I thought it would be fun to at least to sort the timing out to make it fit

This routine is called Tranky Doo and it is said to have been created by Frankie Manning as he mentions in his book (Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop). The version that we got inspiration from is the one from the Spirit Moves which is danced by Albert Minns, Pepsi Bethel and Leon James. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbOAR8pmMBA You can also watch Thomas "Tops" Lee and Wilda Crawford doing the routine to the song "Broadway" by Henry Woods and his orchestra. Thomas "Tops" Lee and Wilda Wilder Crawford were members of the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers and won the Harvest Moon Ball in 1940. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzY1SLL9xOw More about the Spirit Moves where the Tranky Doo routine that inspired us come from: The Spirit Moves A History of Black Social Dance on Film, 1900–1986 is a documentary film by Mura Dehn chronicling the evolution of African-American social dance throughout most of the 20th century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjguncQiw70 See Frankie Manning doing the Tranky Doo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3HYXnvp8wM We share this routine with you to stay connected to the roots of the dance and to the original dancers of the era but also to show how free of self expression and interpretation jazz dance can be. We are dancing to: It don’t mean a thing (if you ain’t got that swing) by Duke Ellington. Filmed in April 2021 by Erik Norving. ❤️❤️❤️

A jam circle at the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC) held in Arlington, Virginia on Friday, August 24, 2012. The band performing music is Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five Plus Two. For more info on ILHC, visit: http://www.ilhc.com/index.php

From Hairspray (1988 - John Waters) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095270/ POSTED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: See the wiki article about The Madison at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_dance

FIRST STOPS - Lindy Hop floor routine This is a routine that was used by the Savoy dancers and can be seen both in competition footage from the 30s, performed by Al&Leon in the 60s, Mama Lou Parks dancers in the 80s and also in footage from the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers reunion 1983. Some of our members have learned from Sugar Sullivan who is a big inspiration to our group and this version is pretty much what she often do and also the version we most often use. Dancers: Mimmi Gunnarsson & Fredrik Dahlberg https://youtu.be/pDw_v5NvmG8 INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM PROJECT: WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create and to hopefully inspire. BACKGROUND Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines are traditional and created during the1930s-1950s. PARTS Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion. AESTHETICS This project is a collaboration between Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality photage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing. -------------------- The Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom. This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer. By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the whole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37mb1QROIw

Frankie Manning's Lindy Chorus Routine