So, are you ready to Lindy Hop?
It’s been endorsed by some of the most influential dancers in the history of film and television musicals like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Dean Martin and Rita Hayworth.
The stylish dance, popularised by stars like Fred Astaire and now Will Smith, is all set to get Mumbai shaking
It’s been endorsed by some of the most influential dancers in the history of film and television musicals like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Dean Martin and Rita Hayworth. In the present age, Will Smith, Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz have been grooving to its fun- twisting, swirling, energetic steps.
And now it’s here to entice Mumbai-ites as well.
Swing. Hop. Laugh, Jump. Shout. That’s Lindy Hop for you, the African American dance that was born in Harlem in 1927 and evolved as the jazz music of the ’20s, gradually changing into the swing music of the ‘big band’ era in the ’30s and ’40s.
“They call it the ‘grand-daddy’ of swing,” announces Tim Collins and his partner Malou Meyenhofer, expert Lindy Hopppers, who’ve danced their way to live music festivals, shows and contests globally. While Tim is a Seattle-based martial arts expert who discovered the dance form at a high school prom, Malou, his Zurich-based flamenco and ballet expert partner, found herself head-over-heels in love with the dance form after she watched the much publicised video Hellzapoppin in 2004.
“I was determined there and then to learn Lindy Hop. It’s like a good work out,” she states. “For me, as a woman I like the fact that you can keep a reasonable distance from your Lindy Hop dance partner while having fun too.”
The duo has been in the city for just two months, having taught at Zenzi in Bandra, and finds Mumbai’s response to Lindy Hop to be absolutely rocking. “We have been inundated by so many calls and emails,” laughs Tim.
He looks comfortably seated indoors on a hot morning and yet every time you bring up the nuances of Lindy Hopping, he drums his fingers restlessly and looks as if he’s about to get up and break into a jig with Malou, until without much hesitation he finally does so, and you’re left wondering how two people can be so lithe on their feet.
They twirl, pirouette and swing their way to the strains of Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘If You Can’t Sing It/You’ll Have to Swing It’. “The style is easy,” explains Tim, “you just need a good grip on your partner’s hand.”
The Lindy Hoppers are currently travelling around the country teaching and plan to make Mumbai their base very soon. “We have been approached by a music director in Film City to teach at their new dance studio,” reveals Tim. But for now, with Malou he’s flying back to Zurich next month where they will teach physiotherapists how patients suffering from a chronic disease can incorporate joyful movements rather than plain exercise. That’s a ‘step’ in the right direction, without a doubt!