NYC Lindy Hop Classes & Socials

Lindy Hop originated in the late 1920s at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. It developed as a response to the evolving jazz music of the era, blending elements of Charleston, The Breakaway, and other Black American dances. Harlem’s nightlife and cultural scene provided the perfect environment for dancers to experiment, leading to the creation of the swingout and other defining Lindy Hop movements. The dance thrived at the Savoy, an integrated ballroom where the best Lindy Hoppers pushed the dance to new levels, ultimately shaping it into the expressive and influential style we recognize today.

No, but they are related. Lindy Hop, developed in Harlem in the late 1920s, is an eight-count swing dance rooted in jazz. "East Coast Swing" was later created by Arthur Murray’s ballroom dance studios as a simplified, six-count version of Lindy Hop. Some Lindy Hop dancers prefer not to use the term "East Coast Swing," as it was a commercial rebranding that distanced the dance from its Black American roots. Instead, they simply refer to it as six-count Lindy Hop.

Lindy Hop was developed collectively by dancers at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, but several individuals played key roles in its evolution: 1) "Shorty" George Snowden – One of the earliest innovators, credited with helping name the dance and known for his unique footwork. 2) Mattie Purnell – A skilled early Lindy Hopper who partnered with Shorty George. 3) Frankie Manning – Often called the "father of Lindy Hop," he introduced air steps (aerials) and helped choreograph Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. 4) Norma Miller – A pioneering female Lindy Hopper, performer, and historian who played a key role in preserving the dance’s legacy. 5)Al Minns & Leon James – Known for their stylish and expressive dancing, they helped spread Lindy Hop beyond Harlem. These dancers helped shape Lindy Hop into both a social and performance dance, influencing its growth and popularity.

Lindy Hop was named after aviator Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 transatlantic flight. The term likely came from newspaper headlines like “Lindy Hops the Atlantic!” In 1928, dancer "Shorty" George Snowden reportedly used the name when asked about his steps during a dance marathon, solidifying the term.

Both Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing are swing dances with global communities. Lindy Hop originated in the African-American community of 1930s Harlem, danced to jazz and blues. West Coast Swing evolved over decades, resurging in the '80s and '90s, adapting to modern music genres at slower tempos.

Swing is a broad category of dance, while Lindy Hop is one of its many styles. Lindy Hop originated in the 1920s and is danced to swing-era jazz with a down-and-up groove. Other swing styles, like West Coast Swing, differ in music choice and rhythmic emphasis.

Frankie Manning is often called the "father of Lindy Hop" due to his innovations, including the first recorded air step (aerial) and his role in choreographing for Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. However, the dance evolved collectively in Harlem, with dancers like "Shorty" George Snowden also playing key roles.