A Remembrance Dance @ The 2017 Intrepid Battle of the Big Bands

With New York City as the back drop who could go wrong. The night was alive. My Harlem lindy hop family showed up. Many of whom I have taken classes with for the last four years. It was good to see them and dance with them. Some I lead and some I followed. Three bands playing and at least 1,000 people swinging to the beat. For a brief moment the historian in me thought about being on the flight deck of a World War II aircraft carrier and the brave men that once graced its landing. I even thought of Japanese Kamikaze fighter pilots landing on this very deck. Then I thought about the lindy hop and how its a happy dance that promotes good times and then I thought about my love for a dance and music of a time period not so long ago. I felt nostalgic. I remember thinking I am sure during off time these sailors used to dance and very possibly they may have even danced to some of the tunes I am hearing tonight.  So as Gunhild raised her bag pipes and started singin' "When the Saints Go Marching in" it was perfectly appropriate for the nostalgic feelings I was having. In remembrance of those sailors during the Memorial Day Weekend I danced the happy dance on their flight deck.  

Chester Whitemore Choreography

I learned some amazing choreography both tap, soul and lindy while attending Paulette Brockington's American Lindyhop Championships in Detroit, Michigan back in October. This dance routine Samuel Coleman and I are doing together was one of the many choreographed pieces of the great Chester Whitemore. What an fun and educational experience. We also had the chance to learn from Norma Miller.

My First Lindy hop Video: You've come a long way baby!

I actually like this short footage.  This was the first video I ever had of me recording myself Lindy hopping. I am usually my worst critic, asking myself were you easy to lead, and even more so I always worry if I look "fat" in the video, but heck I am. Lol! But honestly this time around I felt a bit relieved that I just did my thing and did not worry about my size and focused just my simple skill set. And for a novice I don't think I looked so bad. I looked down to much out of uncertainty. After all, at least a year before I could hardly figure out simple routines and certainly did not have the stamina to maintain if I could. So the weight loss had begun to work and this short dance clip show me that I had come very far and at the same time I looked forward to where I could go! My kicks are better and I also don't just drop my arm any more. I have a little more polished style. Well I think anyway! lol I thank my dance instructor Samuel Coleman for persistent reminders about practicing and going out social dancing. His field trips helped many of us get used to social dancing.