Hey Dancers!
I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones. I had a wonderful holiday with my family. It felt wonderful to take a break after a very busy few months.
I wrapped up a huge dance client project (more details on this in the future) and my husband Shawn and I are preparing to move to SPAIN! We spent months working on our visas and we finally got approved! We’re moving in January 2023 to Ourense, Galicia where we will hike, dance, and eat jamón.
If you want to take a lesson with me while I’m on the California time zone, do it now. Maybe treat yourself to some dance inspiration for the holidays.
Song of the Month
Sometimes during the holiday season, life can become a little hectic. And it makes me want to listen to a song with a melody line that’s easy to follow. Something repetitive and uncomplicated to sooth my brain and get my head nodding to the beat. The song “Celery Stalks at Midnight” by Will Bradley and His Orchestra perfectly fits the bill.
Plus, it has one of the most ridiculous (and best) names for a song ever.
This version was recorded in the 1940s. Columbia Records classified it as a “Foxtrot” song to appeal to white American audiences. However, the beat is perfect for a chill Lindy Hop dance.
“Celery Stalks at Midnight” by Will Bradley and his Orchestra
Video Inspiration
I remember watching this clip in college and feeling really “cool” that I knew of “The Playboy Clip.” Now it’s your turn to feel cool about it. Somehow, this clip gets eclipsed (lol) by other more famous dance scenes.
So, what is “The Playboy Clip?” It’s a segment from the “Playboy’s Penthouse” talk show from 1959 or 1960. Hugh Hefner interviews author and historian Marshall Stearns while Al Minns and Leon James perform.
A bit of background, Marshall and Jean Stearns wrote the book on the history of Jazz dance. Literally. It’s called Jazz Dance: The Story of American Vernacular Jazz. If you haven’t read Jazz Dance, I highly suggest ordering a copy. It’s a great read to put Lindy Hop into historical context.
Al Minns and Leon James were two pioneers of Lindy Hop and members of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. In the 1950s and 1960s, Minns and James partnered up to promote Lindy Hop and Jazz dance, appearing at dance events, in short films, and on TV.
So who’s who in the clip? Al Minns is the one who dances with a straight and proud posture featuring lots of energetic movements. He is the follower in the partner dance section. Leon James’ style is more "laid back" and comical. In the Cakewalk section, Al Minns is on the left side of the video.
“The Playboy Clip” featuring Al Minns, Leon James, and Marshall Stearns
Feeling inspired and wanna shake that thing?
I teach virtual lessons and in-person lessons on request. Email me to set-up a single lesson or a package. Additionally, I’m currently available to teach in person in the USA. At the moment, I’m based in San Luis Obispo area, California. In January 2023, I am moving to Spain and I will be available for teaching in Europe (and anywhere in the world on Zoom!).
Virtual private lessons are via Zoom, Google Meet, or Facebook Video Chat.
Happy dancing!
Lainey