This year's "Masters" festival is dedicated to the memory of Lindy-Hop ambassador Frankie Manning. Courtesy of Century Ballroom
Frankie Manning, the joyous master and ambassador of Lindy Hop swing dancing, passed away last April at age 94.
But into his 90s, he was a spry and beloved presence at Century Ballroom's annual Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival, which brings together Harlem dance stars of the 1940s and their younger followers for a five-day spree of performances, classes and public dances.
This year the event, which continues through Sunday, is dedicated to Manning's memory. And he'll be represented by another festival favorite, his tap-dancer son Chazz Young.
Speaking from Las Vegas, where he is the assistant director of the Austin Dancers Academy, the spry, affable, 76-year old Young recalled how dance brought him closer to his famed dad.
After his parents separated, he noted, "I was raised by my mother's family. When I was about 12, my mom took me to see my dad perform at the Roxie Theatre in New York.
"She asked if I'd like to be up there on stage, like my father. What did I know? I said sure. Next thing I know, I'm in dancing school!"
As a tapper, Young says, he never felt in competition with his Lindy Hopper parent. At 17, he joined an act led by Norma "Queen of Swing" Miller (also at the festival this year), and they toured with Manning's act.
When tap and swing went out of fashion in the 1960s, Manning took a post-office job and Young focused on teaching. But they hit the road again in the early 1990s, as a new generation discovered the delights of swing dance.
They traveled in tandem right up until Manning's health began to decline last year. "I just enjoyed being with him and dancing with him," Young said fondly.
"Whenever his birthday came around, they'd celebrate it in Japan, Sweden, Australia. And I got to go, too!"
Young acknowledges that tap and swing have been supplanted lately by the hip-hop dance craze.
"They're doing it in movies, it's on TV. It's the dance of the day. But when youngsters see what we do, and learn the steps, they really enjoy it. Between the sports and the hip-hop, there's still a little spot in there for tap." [rc]
Misha Berson
E-Mail: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
August 13, 2009
USA: Frankie Manning, 90, will be missed at Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival
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SEATTLE, Washington / The Seattle Times / The Arts / August 13, 2009
Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival is missing a master — but joy is still there
When the band starts cookin' and dancers hit the floor at Century Ballroom this week, somebody will be missed. Frankie Manning, the joyous master and ambassador of Lindy Hop swing dancing, passed away in April at age 94. This year the Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival, which continues through Sunday, is dedicated to Manning's memory.
This year's "Masters" festival is dedicated to the memory of Lindy-Hop ambassador Frankie Manning. Courtesy of Century Ballroom
Frankie Manning, the joyous master and ambassador of Lindy Hop swing dancing, passed away last April at age 94.
But into his 90s, he was a spry and beloved presence at Century Ballroom's annual Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival, which brings together Harlem dance stars of the 1940s and their younger followers for a five-day spree of performances, classes and public dances.
This year the event, which continues through Sunday, is dedicated to Manning's memory. And he'll be represented by another festival favorite, his tap-dancer son Chazz Young.
Speaking from Las Vegas, where he is the assistant director of the Austin Dancers Academy, the spry, affable, 76-year old Young recalled how dance brought him closer to his famed dad.
After his parents separated, he noted, "I was raised by my mother's family. When I was about 12, my mom took me to see my dad perform at the Roxie Theatre in New York.
"She asked if I'd like to be up there on stage, like my father. What did I know? I said sure. Next thing I know, I'm in dancing school!"
As a tapper, Young says, he never felt in competition with his Lindy Hopper parent. At 17, he joined an act led by Norma "Queen of Swing" Miller (also at the festival this year), and they toured with Manning's act.
When tap and swing went out of fashion in the 1960s, Manning took a post-office job and Young focused on teaching. But they hit the road again in the early 1990s, as a new generation discovered the delights of swing dance.
They traveled in tandem right up until Manning's health began to decline last year. "I just enjoyed being with him and dancing with him," Young said fondly.
"Whenever his birthday came around, they'd celebrate it in Japan, Sweden, Australia. And I got to go, too!"
Young acknowledges that tap and swing have been supplanted lately by the hip-hop dance craze.
"They're doing it in movies, it's on TV. It's the dance of the day. But when youngsters see what we do, and learn the steps, they really enjoy it. Between the sports and the hip-hop, there's still a little spot in there for tap." [rc]
Misha Berson
E-Mail: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
This year's "Masters" festival is dedicated to the memory of Lindy-Hop ambassador Frankie Manning. Courtesy of Century Ballroom
Frankie Manning, the joyous master and ambassador of Lindy Hop swing dancing, passed away last April at age 94.
But into his 90s, he was a spry and beloved presence at Century Ballroom's annual Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap Festival, which brings together Harlem dance stars of the 1940s and their younger followers for a five-day spree of performances, classes and public dances.
This year the event, which continues through Sunday, is dedicated to Manning's memory. And he'll be represented by another festival favorite, his tap-dancer son Chazz Young.
Speaking from Las Vegas, where he is the assistant director of the Austin Dancers Academy, the spry, affable, 76-year old Young recalled how dance brought him closer to his famed dad.
After his parents separated, he noted, "I was raised by my mother's family. When I was about 12, my mom took me to see my dad perform at the Roxie Theatre in New York.
"She asked if I'd like to be up there on stage, like my father. What did I know? I said sure. Next thing I know, I'm in dancing school!"
As a tapper, Young says, he never felt in competition with his Lindy Hopper parent. At 17, he joined an act led by Norma "Queen of Swing" Miller (also at the festival this year), and they toured with Manning's act.
When tap and swing went out of fashion in the 1960s, Manning took a post-office job and Young focused on teaching. But they hit the road again in the early 1990s, as a new generation discovered the delights of swing dance.
They traveled in tandem right up until Manning's health began to decline last year. "I just enjoyed being with him and dancing with him," Young said fondly.
"Whenever his birthday came around, they'd celebrate it in Japan, Sweden, Australia. And I got to go, too!"
Young acknowledges that tap and swing have been supplanted lately by the hip-hop dance craze.
"They're doing it in movies, it's on TV. It's the dance of the day. But when youngsters see what we do, and learn the steps, they really enjoy it. Between the sports and the hip-hop, there's still a little spot in there for tap." [rc]
Misha Berson
E-Mail: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
