Here's a jam circle at the first dance party of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival. With all of our guests not even here yet, it's already a blow-out, crazy-fun event. Day 1 highlights: a very moving documentary film about Frankie called "Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging." Norma Miller in an intimate Q&A about her life…
Tag: lindy hop
Post of the Day: “Dance community really excited to spend five days in New York trying not to cry”
Gotta love this post on the Jam Cellar blog in DC about the Frankie 95 Festival start tomorrow: Dance community really excited to spend five days in New York trying not to cry. This weekend marks the event where dancers from around the world will come together in New York to celebrate the life of…
Reflections on Frankie Manning: my teacher, friend and inspiration
Me dancing the Shim Sham with Frankie Manning at Yehoodi's 10th Anniversary Party in 2008. Photo by OpeningMinds. In just a couple of days, lindy hoppers from all over will be descending on New York City for the swinging-est birthday party ever. The Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival will be notable not only for…
The promise, tool and bargain of Yehoodi as a community website
I just finished today Clay Shirky's awesome book Here Comes Everybody, a cogent description of the sea-change in social organization that we are witnessing due to the advent of online social networking tools. Shirky's book has me thinking about what lessons I can take away from it for Yehoodi, the swing dance community site I…
Dancing is one of life’s greatest pleasures (pic)
This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of me dancing. Photographer Michael Blank captured the lovely Miss Victoria and I lindy hopping in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem a couple of weeks ago. We are both just blissed out and sharing a wonderful moment together. It makes me happy every time I look at…
Public Memorial Service for Frankie Manning on May 22 in NYC
For those that were not able to attend Frankie Manning's funeral service earlier this month, there will be a Memorial Service for Frankie on Friday May 22 as part of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival. The service will take place at 10am at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (Fifth Avenue at 55th Street). Open to…
WNET Broadcasting Special Tribute to Frankie Manning on May 21!
I am happy to announce that PBS affiliate station WNET (Channel 13) in New York will be broadcasting a special tribute show about Frankie Manning on May 21 at 10:30pm. The documentary features the last major interview of Frankie Manning before his death, as well as precious archival footage of his dancing from the 1930s…
The Swinging-est Funeral: Celebrating the life and legacy of legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning
Today I was fortunate enough to participate in the most swingin' funeral I have ever attended. Today, we laid Frankie Manning in his final resting place. As I entered the Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church in Harlem, I was greeted by the powerful sound of the full Harlem Renaissance Orchestra playing on stage. I saw…
The Frankie 95 Festival is On! Registration Re-opens! Come honor the ambassador of lindy hop from May 21-25 in NYC
I just got the latest news from the organizers of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival about the status of the Festival with the passing of Frankie last Monday. Among the highlights: The Festival is still on! It's what Frankie would have wanted. Registration has been re-opened now for anyone who wants to come to the…
Public Funeral for Frankie Manning on May 2: All Are Welcome
I received word from Frankie's family that on Saturday, May 2, there will be a public funeral for Mr. Frankie Manning at the Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. The viewing is from 10am to noon, with a service at noon. The address is 15 Mount Morris Park West (corner of West 122nd Street, facing park)….