Here’s my roll call – in no particular order
Mentors: Mum, Sing Lim, Bernadette Farrell, Franck Balbin, Norma Miller, Birgitta Berg Salmi, Mickey Davidson, Mother Eugenia
Teachers: Ron Leslie, Frankie Manning, Mary Wolfe, Tom Kerwin, my sister
Influences: N’diaye sisters – Marie and Hanna, Ryan Francois, Chester Whitmore, my brother
This is my teacher 🙂
[update: Thursday 10th Sept] The video is back :). BTW, I recommend you joining the Ted blog www.blog.ted.com. There’s something for everyone, so many things to learn. When you click on a video, very often there is a tab to the bottom right of the video which gives you an option for different languages. A transcript will come up to help you follow the talk.
[update: Thursday 26th Sept] Well, this would have been a video of Ryan Francois giving a presentation at the Tedx Albertopolis on Tuesday 23rd September 2013. The video has been removed from Youtube, the reasons for which I have no idea. It’s a pity. Let’s hope it will be re-instated very soon. I found Ryan’s presentation to be simple and to the point and demonstrated class and authority. This is not to say that it didn’t conjure up critique (as any viewpoint worth its weight ought to).
[update of like 10 mins of writing the update and sourcing links] You’ll find the answer in the comments, just keep scrolling http://yehoodi.com/…/175827/ryan-francois-gives-tedx-talk/
The internet is mad, isn’t it? Phew. Watch this space for the return…I hope 😉
Jumped off the 38 bus on Shaftesbury Avenue, skipped past China Town, and slipped down the stairs just to the left of the iron gates. And just like Alice, I stepped into Wonderland. Lindy Wonderland. Even now as I am typing, I’m smiling with the beautiful memories of my first night there. A girl, a black girl with very dark skin wearing a cream satin dress with red piping: a cigarette seller. Some dude with a big baggy suit, lots and lots of people. A show, people flying through the air, tap dancing, singing. I’d seen this before: sometimes in technicolor, mostly in black and white, but never live. And me, right in the middle of it.
The opening party…with Chester Whitmore …from LA…dancing with Ryan Francois and Julie Oram. Many distinguished friends (including Zoots and Spangles)and guests attended the Opening Night*
I could say that it was a bit too much for my senses, but I won’t cos it wasn’t. Alice was completely enamoured by the vision, by this strange world, seeing and being with all of those magical mystical creatures, and felt TOTALLY at home.
So now she’s back.
Jitterbugs was re-launched on Wednesday evenings on 24th July 1991 at Notre Dame Hall*
Jitterbugs was and is my home. The Ladybugs, the Jitterbug Jammers, The Jitterbug Stroll, The Blues Stroll. All these things made me and are part of me. I’m very proud and honoured to be part of such a legacy. A legacy that has shaped the UK and the World Lindy Hop scene (and I don’t believe I am exaggerating). Over the years Jitterbugs has gone through many changes, but one thing this Lindy Hop Cruise Liner has maintained is the title that Frankie Manning bestowed on it “The New Home of Happy Feet”.
One of the most memorable performances was the night that Frankie Manning named Jitterbugs as The New Home of Happy Feet (after the Savoy) and danced the Shim-Sham with The Ladybugs.*
That’s me in the back!
Photo: Courtesy of Sing Lim
Sing’s energy was infectious and she began an all-female Lindy Hop performance group called The Ladybugs.*
So, this is where I will be tonight Jitterbugs, with a live band. Come along and swing out.
Thanks Julie for all your fabulous leadership at the helm of LHS** Jitterbugs. Thanks Sing for sharing with us the light of your guiding star. Thanks Ryan for setting the standard.
Julie Oram – Jitterbugs London.
Sing Lim – Jitterbugs Swingapore
Ryan Francois
Zoots and Spangles Authentic Dance Company – Zoots on YouTube: Perfomance in 1991
check out the Shim Sham at the end 🙂.
*Here’s the complete interview: Jitterbugs, a bit of history: an interview with Julie Oram.
**Lindy Hop Ship
I’ve been browsing.
Actually, I was looking for something else and (you know how it is) and BOOM, there it was. It’s a recap of the class we did for the first level. So funny to find this.
For the teacher’s performance, I remember there was a general “sigh” that came over all of us when the music started playing. Wasn’t the most, how shall we say, swinging choice. Ah well, we had a good time performing anyways.
Nice little camp and we had such great weather. I also remember getting carried away with the white wine on the Sunday night. Ah well!!!! After the classes on the Sunday, we took our bikes for a little tour by Patricia. Potsdam is a satellite town of Berlin where the Kaiser’s lived and as I hope you can see from the photos, it’s a very pretty town. Check out some more photos here.
So funny what you find on Youtube innit.
Cookie's Jam 