1927-1928 The Birth of Lindy-Hop

So how did we ever get the name Lindy-hop? It sounds like a nice name for a lady? Was it named after a woman? In truth it was named after a man, and a famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. And what was so amazing was that he flew the Spirit of St. Louis(a custom-built, single engine, single-seat monoplane) from New York to Paris in 33 and a half hours, the first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.  Everyone knew of this feat and it won him the $25, 000 Ortega Prize (the equivalent of  $334,075 in today's dollars) Here is the story on how that ties to our now beloved dance own as the Lindy-hop:

In the early twenties dance marathons were a popular attraction and drew thousands of spectators. At one time or another, every major city held a dance marathon and every major city attempted to ban the dance marathons.”... “Two reporters for the New York World newspaper were on hand to report on the event. Fox MovieTone news was also filming the event and focused in on Shorty Snowden’s feet. An interviewer asked him what he was doing with his feet. Shorty replied “the Lindy.” Other reports quoted shorty as saying, “I’m doing the Hop, just like Lindy.” With that simple improvisation and statement, the Lindy Hop was born.” Giordano, Ralph. Social Dancing in America: A History and Reference, Volume II. Greenwood Press 2007

This image to your left is of "Shorty George" by Harlem Renaissance painter Norman Lewis

So come one come all and celebrate Shorty Snowden and Lindy-hop this weekend at Swing Dance Sunday! DJ Sean playing some hot licks'!

First time on the swing dance floor? The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

-Jen

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:

The Volstead

115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Check out the bar's website here

Ample street parking!

Here is the Legendary Shorty George Snowden and his Partner Big Bea in 1937 dancing in the film "After Seben"

Featured Below is a collection of news clips about Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.

Whether you are a teetotaler or a whale, they've got gigglewater for the ombibulous; with Anthony Williams playing some hot licks in this barrelhouse and Naga Devi as your jumpin' jill guide, this ain't your average juice joint; be there or be square at the Volstead Sunday Night!

Translation:: 
First time on the swing dance floor? The dance shack with the lovely Naga Davi will be teaching a free beginner East Coast Swing Lesson starting at 7PM sharp. There's always plenty of street parking available.



-Jen

The Dance floor opens up right around 8PM with beats spun by the
talented Anthony Williams.
As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Some fun links for Prohibition Era phrases and Swing Dance Lingo. 

7/17 - Tribute to Louis Jordan, The King of the Jukebox

Join us this Sunday, July 17th at The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville for Swing Dance Sunday. This week's theme is a tribute to "The King of the Jukebox", Louis Jordan!

One of the leading legends, innovators and popularizers of "jump blues" — a swinging, up-tempo, dance-oriented hybrid of jazz, blues and boogie-woogie, and pre-cursor to rock 'n roll — Louis' music has been fueling swing dancers on dancefloors since the 1940s and 1950s.

DJ Jason Provost will be playing his biggest hits such as "Caldonia", "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens", "Knock Me a Kiss" and "Got My Mojo Working."

First time on the swing dance floor? The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Check out the bar's website here
Ample street parking!

6/5 - DJ Jason Provost

Join us tonight at Swing Dance Sunday at The Volstead as resident house swing DJ, Jason Provost, spins the best music to keep you on the dance floor.

A Boston, Massachusetts native and now happily living in Jacksonville, Jason has been DJing music for swing dancers since 2003. Prior to his gig at The Volstead he was the House DJ/MC at Boston's Swing City and Boston Swing Central, the largest weekly dances in the city. He's worked to bring swing and jazz from the original swing era to Jacksonville's dance scene.

His tastes run from the hot charts of the 1930s to jump blues to soul and early rock 'n roll. In addition to DJing for dancers, Jason has hosted radio shows for various stations, spinning both swing and non-swing music. Check out a few of the songs DJ Jason will be spinning tonight below!

First time on the swing dance floor? The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Check out the bar's website here
Ample street parking!

5/29 - Summer Swings in Jacksonville

The summer has unofficially begun, and Jacksonville has a lot to celebrate this Memorial Day weekend. Here are four great reasons why you should come dancing at Swing Dance Sunday at The Volstead tonight.

1. The Jacksonville Jazz Fest concludes tonight, and what a better way to cap off a fantastic weekend of music with the swinging stylings of DJ Jason Provost. He'll be spinning the best in swing, traditional jazz, classic R&B, early rock 'n roll and more!
2. Last Thursday was Frankie Manning's 102nd birthday. For those who don't know, Frankie Manning was dubbed the "Ambassador of Lindy Hop", a national treasure and pretty much the whole reason we swing dance today. His birthday is so important, Google celebrated his life with a Google doodle last week. Plus, Frankie was born in Jacksonville. What better way to celebrate his life and legacy than to come out and dance at Swing Dance Sunday?
3. Let us remember those who gave their lives for our freedom by exercising one of those freedoms of expression. Dance!
4. For most, there is no work on Monday. So there's really no excuse. Game of Thrones is on demand, so you can watch it when you get home!

Don't worry if it's your first time swing dancing. The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:

The Volstead

115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Check out the bar's website here

Ample street parking!

5/22 - DJ Sean Hendrix

Join us 5/22 for Swing Dance Sunday at The Volstead for DJ Sean Hendrix! He'll be in the "booth"spinning his eclectic mix of swing, early rock n' roll, classic rhythm & blues, modern and more.

As pictured left, Sean is an awesome dancer. So be sure to ask him for a spin on the dance floor!

And don't worry if it's your first time swing dancing. The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+.

There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Check out the bar's website here
Ample street parking!

5/8: Take Mom Dancing!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! If you have a mom, are married to a mom or even just know a mom, bring her down to Swing Dance Sunday at The Volstead!

Even cooler? Bring mom out, let the bar know, and a glass of wine is on the house!

DJ Jason Provost will be spinning the best swing, jazz, early rock 'n roll, classic R&B and more! All the stuff the moms love.

Is Mom not a swing dancer? That's cool. The Dance Shack will be teaching a beginner east coast swing lesson starting at 7PM. The dance floor opens up right after the lesson around 8PM. If you're not taking the lesson, check out some of their award winning cocktails!

As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+. There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:
The Volstead
115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Check out the bar's website here