Aerial (dance move)
Encyclopedia
An aerial is a dance move
in Lindy Hop
where one's feet leave the floor. The term has come to mean a wide range of special and unusual dance moves, including dips, slides, and tricks.
The firsthttp://www.beeskneesdance.com/media/docs/gottadance.jpg Lindy Hop
aerial was performed by Frankie Manning
in 1935. Frankie Manning and George "Shorty" Snowden
competed in weekly dance contests at the Savoy Ballroom. Shorty George and Big Bea had a move, where they stood back-to-back; they locked arms; Big Bea bent over, picking Shorty George up on her back; and then she carried him off the floor, while he kicked his feet. Frankie Manning wanted to outdo Shorty George, so he convinced his partner Freda Washington, to flip over his back. Called the 'over the back', this flip is considered the first Lindy aerial.
Aerials quickly caught on in Lindy Hop. In 1935, the troupe Whitey's Lindy Hoppers
(aka the Harlem Congeroos) formed and performed at private parties in New York. From 1936 to 1941, they toured the world and performed in movies and some after 1945, showing Lindy Hop and aerials to the world.
Aerials had been performed in other dances before 1935. For example, the Nicholas Brothers
used leaps and flips in their tap dance routines in the early 1930s at the Cotton Club
. Flash dance
rs, who toured with big bands in the United States
in the early twentieth century, performed acrobatic dances, often matched with tap dance
rs and contortionists in travelling shows.
Dance move
Dance moves or dance steps are the building blocks of many dances.More complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures or dance variations....
in Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is an American social dance, from the swing dance family. It evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and '30s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based...
where one's feet leave the floor. The term has come to mean a wide range of special and unusual dance moves, including dips, slides, and tricks.
The firsthttp://www.beeskneesdance.com/media/docs/gottadance.jpg Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is an American social dance, from the swing dance family. It evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and '30s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based...
aerial was performed by Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning
Frankie Manning was an American dancer, instructor and choreographer. Manning is considered one of the founding fathers of the Lindy Hop.-Early years:...
in 1935. Frankie Manning and George "Shorty" Snowden
George Snowden
"Shorty" George Snowden was an African American dancer in Harlem during the 1920s and 1930s. He is popularly credited with coining the name "Lindy Hop" for a popular partner swing dance of the day...
competed in weekly dance contests at the Savoy Ballroom. Shorty George and Big Bea had a move, where they stood back-to-back; they locked arms; Big Bea bent over, picking Shorty George up on her back; and then she carried him off the floor, while he kicked his feet. Frankie Manning wanted to outdo Shorty George, so he convinced his partner Freda Washington, to flip over his back. Called the 'over the back', this flip is considered the first Lindy aerial.
Aerials quickly caught on in Lindy Hop. In 1935, the troupe Whitey's Lindy Hoppers
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers was a professional performing group of Savoy Ballroom swing dancers, started in 1935 by Herbert "Whitey" White. The group took on many different forms, with up to 12 different groups performing under this name or one of a number of different names used for the group over the...
(aka the Harlem Congeroos) formed and performed at private parties in New York. From 1936 to 1941, they toured the world and performed in movies and some after 1945, showing Lindy Hop and aerials to the world.
Aerials had been performed in other dances before 1935. For example, the Nicholas Brothers
Nicholas Brothers
The Nicholas Brothers were a famous African American team of dancing brothers, Fayard and Harold . With their highly acrobatic technique , high level of artistry and daring innovations, they were considered by many the greatest tap dancers of their day...
used leaps and flips in their tap dance routines in the early 1930s at the Cotton Club
Cotton Club
The Cotton Club was a famous night club in Harlem, New York City that operated during Prohibition that included jazz music. While the club featured many of the greatest African American entertainers of the era, such as Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, Count Basie, Bessie Smith,...
. Flash dance
Flash dance
Flash dancing was a form of tap dance evolved in 1920s-1930s which combined dance with acrobatics. Prominent flash dance crews of the time include the Nicholas Brothers, The Four Step Brothers and the Berry Brothers.During 1920s-1930s many films and TV shows were released featuring the style....
rs, who toured with big bands in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the early twentieth century, performed acrobatic dances, often matched with tap dance
Tap dance
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
rs and contortionists in travelling shows.