May 26th is a very special day in the Lindy Hop Community (the original Swing Dance) as it’s ‘World Lindy Hop Day‘ AND the birthday of one of the founders of the dance, Frankie Manning. Many communities around the world will be celebrating and here in Toronto we are hosting a Big Band Swing Dance. I’m the emcee for the night and it’s going to be a wonderful night of music and dance.

For today’s Vintage Photo Tuesday (collection of vintage photo posts) I wanted to share images of the Lindy Hop/Jitterbug that myself and so many others have enjoyed over the years.

Let the dancing begin!

Vintage Photos of the Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom.

1930s vintage photo of Lindy Hoppers at the savoy ballroom in 1930s fashions dancing.
Source: Pinterest

The History of Lindy Hop

It begins in the African American communities of Harlem, New York during the late 1920s in conjunction with swing jazz. Lindy Hop is closely related to earlier African American vernacular dances but quickly gained its own fame through dancers in films, performances, competitions, and professional dance troupes. It became especially popular in the 1930s with the upsurge of aerials. The popularity of Lindy Hop declined after World War II, and it converted to other forms of dancing, but it never disappeared during the decades between the 1940s and the 1980s until European and American dancers revived it starting from the beginning of the 1980s (Source).

NOTE: For a much more detailed and excellent read on this dance, please check out Yehoodi’s-Lindy Hop: Its Origins, Innovators, and Legacy

The Vintage Images

Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers was a professional performing group of Savoy Ballroom swing dancers, started in 1935 by Herbert “Whitey” White. Frankie Manning mentioned above was part of this troupe.

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers vintage photo
Source: NYPL Digital Collections

Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson in 1941, demonstrating an Aerial Step that Frankie was the original creator of.

1940s vintage photo of Frankie Manning & Ann Johnson in 1941, demonstrating an Aerial Step that Frankie was the original creator of.
Source: Laura Windley

Original swing dancers Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, dance the Lindy Hop for Life Magazine in April 23rd, 1943.

1940s Vintage Photo: Original swing dancers Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, dance the Lindy Hop for Life Magazine in April 23rd, 1943.
Source: Swungover
1940s Vintage Photo: Original swing dancers Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, dance the Lindy Hop for Life Magazine in April 23rd, 1943.
Source: Pinterest
1940s Vintage Photo: Original swing dancers Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, dance the Lindy Hop for Life Magazine in April 23rd, 1943.
Source: Pinterest

Jitterbug contest, 1939.

1930s Vintage Photo of a couple doing a dance aerial at a Jitterbug contest in 1939.
Source: Tumblr

Lindy Hopping at the famous Savoy Ballroom, in Harlem New York.

Lindy hop vintage photo at the Savoy Ballroom. A Black couple dancing the Lindy Hop and having a blast!
Source: Tumblr

Kaye Popp and Stanley Catron also demonstrating The Lindy Hop for Life magazine, April 23rd 1943.

1940s vintage photo of Kaye Popp and Stanley Catron also demonstrating The Lindy Hop for Life magazine, April 23rd 1943.
Source: Time.com

Washington, D. C. Jitterbugs at an Elk’s Club dance, 1943.

1940s Vintage Photo: Washington, D. C. Jitterbugs at an Elk's Club dance, 1943.
Source: Wikipedia

Jean Veloz and little brother Ray Phelps, famous swing dancers in the 1940s.

Jean Veloz and little brother Ray Phelps dancing the lindy hop 1940s

Lindy Hop dance in the 1940s.

1940s Vintage Photo of a social Lindy hop dance in NY. Super 1940s fashions.
Source: Tumblr

Dorothy McGuire doing the Lindy at the Stage Door Canteen. -1940s photo.

1940s vintage photo of Dorothy McGuire doing the Lindy at the Stage Door Canteen
Source: Pinterest

I will leave you with one last photo of Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson perfecting an Aerial Move. Truly a work of art!

Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson Vintage Dance Photo
Source: Pinterest

I hope you enjoyed browsing these wonderful vintage Lindy Hop Photos and if you are not a swing dancer yet, maybe this post will enourage you to make the move. It truly is loads of fun!

FURTHER READING:

Liz