147. Lindy hop in the park
There's something so cool about the fusion of music, movement, and the great outdoors. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience this during my first ever experience at a Lindy Hop swing social dancing event in a huge gazebo by a lake. It was lindy hop in the park and I was actually looking forward to it. Most of my dance experience have been limited to Latin ballroom dancing, like salsa and bachata. Ever since I attended the blues dancing social, the more veteran members wanted me to go to their lindy in the park event on a Saturday evening, so why not?
Background
Lindy Hop is a lively and energetic form of swing dancing that originated in the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York City. Lindy Hop emerged as a fusion of various dance styles, reflecting the diverse tapestry of its birthplace. Influences from African-American jazz, European partner dances like the Charleston and Foxtrot, and the energetic movements of tap dance all coalesced to form the spirited and improvisational style that defines Lindy Hop.
Named after Charles Lindbergh's historic solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927, Lindy Hop symbolized the soaring spirit of the Jazz Age. Its syncopated rhythms and playful exchanges between partners mirrored the syncopation and improvisation found in jazz music, which is a natural extension of the vibrant musical scene of Harlem. This style of dance characterized by its dynamic footwork, improvisation, and infectious rhythm.
I arrived at the park and I knew a couple of people from the blues dancing social that I did earlier in the week. They were really happy to see me and we engaged in some small talk while we waited for the event to start. I had very minimal knowledge of lindy hop and swing dancing before I came here. I'm more used to latin social dancing than swing.
Some of the members of the dance community hosted a really huge "Intro to Lindy" tutorial before the social started. It was such straightforward instruction. They were very clear and very great at teaching. I was thoroughly impressed with their dancing and their step-by-step directions. All of the participants all stood in two lines, with leads on one end and follows on the other end. We are in the year 2024 now, so leads can be women now :)
I'm still a beginner, so I was on the follow side. I was paired up with different people and it was a little bit awkward at the beginning. As the hour went by, everyone got more and more into the swing of things and the blanket of awkwardness and anxiety was shrugged off. Everyone was a little bit comfortable partner dancing and it was such a beautiful sight to see. I enjoyed every second of it.
Here are a couple photos of the day. I actually didn’t take so many photos because I was too busy dancing. It was so exciting.
I'm still dancing!
~ a lindy grasshopper,
<3 K