The Lindy Hop, named after aviator Charles Lindbergh and his solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927, is a rhythmical and groovy couple dance, originally created to big band music in the Harlem ballrooms around the time of the depression. The dance form is based on a traditional lead- and follow structure, but opens up for an endless amount of improvisations and individual interpretations. The Lindy Hop can be danced to all kind of tempi, offers both closed and intimate patterns, traditional open figures, solo steps, and occasionally it also takes to the air.
Origin: Harlem in New York City during the late 1920s and into the early 1940s.
Music: mainly traditional swing, but also other forms of jazz related music meant for dancing.
Synonyms: Jitterbug, Swing and Jive.
Film clips: A Day at the Races (1937), Swing Fever (1943) and Jammin' the Blues (1944).
For those who cannot commit to an entire week of classes in the first week, but would still like to learn the basics. The word itself is self-explanatory, and no previous dance experience is necessary. The classes, each 70 minutes long, will start from scratch. Check-in will take place on late Friday afternoon, and will be immediately followed by the first class; the remaining five classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday. For ambitious proselytes feeling inspired on Sunday afternoon, there are often possibilities to prolong the Herräng visit by registering for the since Sunday on-going BeginnersIntermediate program.
Please avoid signing up for this level if you are a complete beginner; please choose the beginner course in Week 1 or any of the beginner weekends instead.
This level is for experienced dancers! On this level, the language of rhythms should be spoken fluently and the general flow of the dance should be reasonably convincing. Some faster tempi might very well appear on top of new rhythm variations and personal interpretations. This level will provide semi-guided tours into the overall landscape of rhythmical musicality in general.
For this program, you must sign up together with a partner. Please refer to the Lindy Hop level descriptions for IntermediateAdvanced and Advanced.