Here's a direct appeal from the man himself, Mr. Frankie Manning, asking New Yorkers to open up their homes to lindy hoppers visiting from all over the world for the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival this May. The man has spoken.
Category: Dancing / Music
Mike Jagger (plus 2 forks and 2 dinner rolls) dances the Shim Sham
Here's lindy hopper Mike Jagger dancing the Shim Sham ala Charlie Chaplin using two forks and two dinner rolls. Damned if those utensils and baked goods don't dance better than I do. This is just so strange and brilliant. Directed by John Damn.
New Yorkers shim shamming in Grand Central (video)
Here's my buddy Will's video of about 50 New Yorkers dancing the Shim Sham in Grand Central Station last Saturday. Thanks everyone who participated, and especially Shorty Dave, Akemi, Lynn, Swifty and Will for helping organize and archive all of this craziness. Mad props to you all. Part of the Frankie Week festivities, in preparation…
“Mad Hot Ballroom” kids need your support!
"Dancing Classrooms" is the afterschool program run that teaches thousands of young people around New York City how to ballroom dance, as featured in the documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom." Unfortunately, like a lot of non-profits, the Dancing Classrooms program is in dire financial straits due to decreased contributions. Founder Pierre Dulaine says the program will…
My interview with DMC about his new hip-hop virtual world (video)
Here's the video of my interview with the pioneering rapper DMC (of Run-DMC fame) talking about his new virtual hangout DMC World. It was great getting an opportunity to hear DMC's views about hip-hop culture, online games, and youth empowerment. The actual virtual environment looks pretty clunky and dated, I'm afraid. But DMC clearly has…
Shim Shamming in Times Square and Grand Central for “Frankie Week”!
Today about 50-60 lindy hoppers assembled in Manhattan to dance the "Shim Sham" line dance as part of the "Frankie Week" festivities taking place all over the globe. It was one of those remarkable days that make me grateful to live in New York and be a part of the lindy hop scene.
“Swim Sham” on the Canary Islands (video)
I enjoyed very much this "Swim Sham" performed by dancers at the La Santa Swing dance camp in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Particularly all the splashing in the second section and the pool aerials. It just looked like so much fun! I continue to be blown away by everyone's submissions for "Frankie Week." Many…
Frankie Week Day 7: Frankie’s Wednesday Class does the Shim Sham (with Celebrity Guest)
Here’s another clever Shim Sham video for “Frankie Week,” this time from Frankie’s Wednesday night class he has been teaching for many years. Watch for the celebrity appearance during the break in the middle! Filmed at You Should Be Dancing Studios . Awesome work, folks. Stuart Math, the videographer, also produced this awesome compilation video…
Catch Me Breaking at PMT Spring Showcase April 18 and 19
The performance group I'm in at PMT Studios is again doing a breaking performance as part of the PMT Spring Showcase the weekend of April 17-19. You can catch me and my team on Saturday April 18 at 8pm and Sunday April 19 at 3pm. We'll be performing along with several other dance pieces from…
Frankie Week Continues: San Francisco Shim Shim (with blooper!)
Here's another great video for "Frankie Week" created by those awesome folks in the San Francisco lindy scene. Set in front of the very picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, they really nail the movements and fun vibe of the Shim Sham. And then… well, watch the video… More Shim Sham videos for Frankie week can be…