Lindbergh and Lindy Hop History

Humans have a tendency to name new things for recent events or even people who have achieved some recent fame, even if those events or people have nothing to do with the events in question. There are quite a few interesting examples of this in history; for example, the color “magenta” is named after a 19th century battle in which Napoleon III defeated an Austrian army in Italy, at about the same time as the color was first discovered.

Those interested in dance know that Lindy Hop history tells us the dance was named for Charles Lindbergh, an American pilot of Swedish descent who was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an airplane, the almost equally famous Spirit of St. Louis. Since “Lucky Lindy” took his record-making flight in the middle of the big band and swing era of American music, it was natural that the Lindy Hop should be based on this kind of music.

Of course, the Lindy Hop did not remain static, or it would not be as vital and living a dance form as it is today, as taught at the Swing Zing Dance School in Perth. From the first moment it appeared, it inspired all types of improvisation and variations from the people dancing it. Although it contains some elements of the Charleston dance, and there are basic dance movements that set the Lindy Hop apart from all other dance forms, there is plenty of room for creativity, individuality, and fun.

It is interesting to wonder if Charles Lindbergh ever danced the Lindy Hop that was named for him, and his aeronautical achievement. It is also possible, of course, that the dance would not have caught on as much as it did if it hadn’t been associated with such a famous person of the era.

Many other swing dances are no longer remembered, but thankfully, the Lindy Hop has not only survived but has also thrived, and if you want to learn this energetic, entertaining dance today, then Swing Zing Dance School is the best place to do so – and to get in touch with a bit of Lindy Hop history, too.