"THE FOLLOW IN RED" Oil Painting By Seth Harris

 

I am so ever grateful to Seth Harris for using me as one of the subjects of his latest art pieces. I was flattered when he asked me. In all sincerity I had never had anyone to say they wanted to paint me or photograph me personally. As a plus size woman it has not been my reality.  I end up in lots of photos with other people, or by my own request but never been asked! So Seth if you read this I personally want to say thank you...it was an esteem builder! Seth was able to capture my true joy with this Harlem originated dance called the Lindy Hop. I partnered with an amazing dancer Lalaina Rkt (LaLa). And believe it or not we danced for only two hours downtown at Ripley Grier Studios while Seth went to work photographing us dancing to the grooves of Lavendar Coffin by Lionel Hampton, Flying Home by Count Basie, Shiny Stockings by Ella Fitzgerald and host more on LaLa's phone. All the while taking turns with LaLa's wife Mianja because she too would have their special painting done as well.  We changed into different color outfits and I am ever so glad he chose red with my white highlights. I am a member of the best sorority in the world Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and wouldn't you know those are my sorority colors "Crimson and Creme." Seth got it all right! We all went for drinks, shared laughs and brewed with excitement about the paintings to come! And what an amazing job done. I personally have never had a painting or drawing of myself. Lindy Hop makes you happy and Seth has managed to express this in all of the paintings he has done of Lindy community members. I was able to purchase the print copy as well as this bag through Society 6.  My bag has become a talking piece about Lindy Hop and me dancing. People have responded so well to it.  I usually invite people that show interest in the bag out to dance and a few have started attending my events and other events in NYC.

Seth Harris is a Brooklyn based fellow lindy hopper that is also an oil painter.   He is self taught learning the skill while serving as a sailor in the US Merchant Marine.  According to his website www.BrooklynSeth his paintings often emphasize people and places that are important to his life. Particularly his dance paintings, as he has been active in the New York City Lindy Hop and Balboa dance scene for several years. If you would like more information about Seth Harris or his art, visit his website at www.brooklynseth.com

Uptown Saturday Night Swing @ The National Black Theatre

Swingin' @ the National Black Theatre with Ronald Jones and myself has been one of my dreams come true. With the gracious support of the National Black Theatre's General Manager Nabii Faison we are able to provide a safe, creative and inclusive space for our bi-monthly Lindy Hop Dance events.Wanting to bring our love and the historical legacy of the Lindy Hop back to Harlem what better place than here. The National Black Theatre is located on 5th Avenue between 125th & 126th street. It is with humility, respect of the past, admiration and historical responsiblity that we pay homage to the woman that had a dream for Harlem. Harlem to many was a place of depression, but for Dr. Teer it was place that she could see her dream of creating a theatre space that could and would enhance the African American cultural identity by telling authentic stories and of the Black experience. Founded by Dr. Teer in 1968. Dr. Teer was an actress, director, producer, and community galvanizer. 

  

According to her daughter the current CEO Sade Lythcott In 1968 her mom Dr. Barbara Ann Teer moved up to a desolate war torn neighborhood in Harlem armed with only the vision to create a sustainable cultural arts institution that could & would be reflective of the power, grace, and excellence of a people. To build an art complex that was owned and operated by people she aimed to service, undying commitment, cultural integrity, self empowerment, economic autonomy and freedom. The National Black Theatre has become a second home to us. We are ever so thankful for all the staff that assists us while we are there. They even know that they are always welcome to drop in and swing with us! 

Our events have been a blast!  I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

So if you are interested in Swinging With Us Uptown on a Saturday Night look out for our events on social media on such sites at Meet Up, Harlem One Stop, Eileen Lindy Blog: This Week in Swing, Facebook's NYC Swing Events and NYC Swing Dance. Join the movement to reconnect with our /Harlem's dance legacy! (Not to mention the great health benefits!) Inter-generational, no partners necessary -- just your enthusiasm and love of dance form and movement! Or, just because... Dance lesson before social dance set. Live DJ (Swing, Blues, R&B, Soul) 

You may also email us at swingwithusproductionsnyc@gmail.com