I was introduced to the Big Apple in the same manner that many of today's Lindy Hoppers (and Balboa dancers, and Shag dancers, and Blues dancers, and...) were, through the Frankie Manning choreography for the film Keep Punching. I honestly felt obligated to try to learn Frankie's choreography but it never felt as fun as partnered or solo dancing. As a choreography it always felt constraining (no judgement meant for those who love the Big Apple choreo or choreographed dances in general). Fortunately for me, I heppened to have a dance historian in our area who offered a workshop on the original Big Apple. One hour later, I was hooked. The call dance was silly, and creative, and freeing, and felt more like a community dancing together to me. In short, I was hooked.
Unfortunately, we didn't have a comunity built up around this dance. Very few people in out area even knew the dance existed, let alone the calls. So I decided to try my hand at developing that community.
This website is part of that effort. In order to dance the Big Apple, I needed enough people with a familiarity with the calls, a caller, and opportunity. To address those needs, I'm creating this site, including textual descriptions and short videos of the calls, I'm including rhymes for the calls to aid me in calling (or anyone else, who's so inclined), and I'm scheduling meet-ups with others both inside and outside the current dance community.
So to you, I say "Welcome!" If you're in the Tampa Bay area, check out the calendar, and come join us for a meet-up (or just to one of the socials). If you're not in the Tampa Bay area, it's either time for a trip or for you to consider starting your own local group. If you need help, or want to contribute to out site, or collaborate in some way, let me know.
Now get out there, put your Right Foot In, and Swing Out