You have seen the athletic dancing of the jitterbugs in old movies featuring swing bands and torch singers, but if you thought that kind of dancing was created in one afternoon by the likes of Arthur Murray, you are very much mistaken.
The basic dance of the swing era was the Lindy Hop, which came out of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and '30s. One of the influential creators of the Lindy Hop will be here on Capitol Hill this week at the Century Ballroom.
Frankie "Musclehead" Manning, 93, was a high-flying dancer at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom in the early 1930s. He gained fame, and a place in a nationally recognized swing dancing touring troupe, with the development of the "air step." He will be there to talk about the era and demonstrate steps.
Air step is not the gentle swing that Fred Astaire gives Ginger Rogers as he sweeps her, both feet in the air, with his arms. Manning would sweep his partner through his legs and launch her, no hands, higher than his head. You've seen it in the movies but never thought anyone really did that except in Hollywood studios.
Yes they did. If you would like to see it done, or learn to do it, check in on The Masters of Lindy Hop & Tap, a performance, lecture and dance series at the ballroom, East Pine at 10th Avenue East, from Aug. 15 through 19.
This is a repeat and enlargement of last year's dance series of the same name.
"The first one was excellent," said Hallie Kuperman, owner of the Capitol Hill dancehall. "Before they left, I contracted for them to come back next year."
This is next year and the lineup, besides Manning, includes Norma Miller, a lifelong dancer who began her career as the youngest member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the troupe to which Manning belonged; Jeni Legon, whose tap-dancing film credits start with "Broadway Melody of 1936"; and a cast of equally distinguished veteran and talented young dancers.
"The players are the same," Kuperman said.
One major change will be the addition of Ernestine Anderson, performing for the first time as the featured singer with a swing band for a group of dancers.
"With Ernestine, it was worth it to take it up one more step," Kuperman said.
Kuperman has operated the Century and been involved in swing dancing for 15 years. While too young to have been involved with swing when it was the mainstay of popular American music, she loves it and is passionate about keeping the Lindy Hop and other swing dances part of the scene.
"Swing is our culture," Kuperman said. "It's something unique that doesn't belong to anyone else."
The Century Ballroom is just one part of a nationwide swing dance movement that is growing larger each year, according to Kuperman. Part of the vitality of the movement is an attempt to promote new swing compositions.
"You can listen to the same music for years and years," acknowledged Kuperman, but at some point you have to make the music contemporary as well.
Dancers of every ability are invited to the ballroom. Not only is it not necessary to be able to do the spectacular air steps, it is discouraged.
"We can't have people being thrown around - it is too dangerous," Kuperman said. However, the dance floor will have one corner reserved for very advanced dancers. At the Savoy Ballroom the reserved area was called "Kats Korner," and was where Manning caught the attention of dance and music professionals.
The Century Ballroom itself is like a call from the '20s, with a large, hardwood dancefloor (largest in Seattle) surrounded by a slightly raised dais for tables. A proscenium-arch stage rises above the dance floor on one side of the room, and overhead a gilt-faced balcony hugs the room on three sides above the tables. Next to the main, double doors is a full-service bar. The bar is open on regular Wednesday dance evenings. Kuperman was "appalled" last year to see so many people show up in jeans and T-shirts, she said. This year there is a dress code; ties and coats are not required, but you won't get in if you are wearing jeans or a T-shirt.
This week's big event begins tonight at the ballroom with a meet and greet with the Masters, followed at 9:30 p.m. by an all-ages swing dance to the music of the Ham Carson Quintet (tickets $10).
Thursday afternoon, from noon to 1:30, the masters will be on hand downtown at City Hall with the Soloman Douglas Swingtet in a free concert/dance/dance class.
Thursday night is Dinner with the Masters & Young Talent Showcase at the ballroom ($75 dinner, $15 for just the showcase) and an all-ages swing dance at the Russian Center, 704 19th Ave E. ($5). There are free panel discussions throughout the event.
For the full schedule, ticket prices and performers, turn your browser to www.centuryballroom.com or call 324-7263. The Century Ballroom and Velocity Dance Studio are on the second floor of the Oddfellows Hall, 915 E. Pine St.[[In-content Ad]]
