Programs highlight famous swing dancers
Spend the weekend with two legendary performers from the swing dance era when the Arts & Community Events Division of the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services presents a lindy hop dance workshop Oct. 6, and a "Queen of Swing" documentary on Oct. 7.
Call 229-4800 for information.
Frankie Manning will conduct the dance workshop from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6, at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Admission is $10 per person.
In the 1930s, the lindy hop was all the rage and never better than when it was performed at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Frankie Manning was a leading dancer at the ballroom and revolutionized the lindy hop with his innovations, which included the lindy air step and synchronized ensemble routine.
He was featured in "Jazz," Ken Burns' acclaimed documentary.
On Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., the life of Norma Miller will be examined in a documentary at the West Las Vegas Library Theater, 951 W. Las Vegas Blvd. Miller will be on hand and there will be live music. Admission is free.
Discovered at the age of 12 by the Savoy Ballroom's dancer Twist Mouth George, Miller danced in the '30s with the internationally renowned Lindy Hoppers.
During her seven-decade career in show business, she has been a choreographer, actor, comedian and author.
In 2003 she received a National Heritage Foundation Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for her role in creating and continuing to preserve the acrobatic-style swing dance known as the lindy hop.
The program is presented with support from the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.
