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Arts May 08, 2014
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MAY 16-18th in Pasadena, Swing dancers will celebrate the legendary Father of Swing Dancing: Frankie Manning, who would have turned 100 this month! “Centennial Swing” at the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Assoc. will offer special Swing workshops and live band Dances on both Friday and Saturday nights. The dances will also include performances and rare film clip showings featuring Manning, who was one of the original dancers at New York’s Savoy Ballroom, credited with creating and developing The Lindy Hop, the earliest style of Swing.
During the 1950s, when music and dance styles changed, Manning retired as a dancer, and spent the next 30 years working for the US Postal Office. In 1984, however, two young dancers from Pasadena, Erin Stevens and Steven Mitchell, from Pasadena, CA. flew to New York, sought him out, and convinced him to teach them in a series of private lessons. He always credited that event with reigniting his career, and it played an important role in the resurgence of the Lindy Hop and the second era of Swing. Erin Stevens will host the “Centennial Swing” weekend at her Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association.
Friday night, May 16th, there’s a class in Swing movement called “The Big Apple” open to all levels of dancers from 7:30-8:30pm. Stompy Jones (a San Francisco based band) will be featured for dancing from 8:30-Midnight. $20 admission (includes the lesson).
Saturday night, May 17th, will feature a full day of workshops, and The Jonathan Stout Swing Orchestra will play for dancers from 8:00-Midnight. There’s a beginning Swing lesson included in the admission cost of $20. per person from 7:30-8pm. Complimentary snacks, refreshments and door prizes are also included.
The Pasadena Ballroom Dance Assoc. is located at: 73 N. Hill Ave. in Pasadena (behind the church). Couples and singles of all ages are welcome to attend. For more information: (626) 799-5689. www.pasadenaballroomdance.com OR for registration info. for “Centennial Swing” see: www.swingcamp.com
