Beyond Education
Lindy Hop is more than a dance; it is an important part of Harlem’s cultural heritage. Harlem Swings is committed to celebrating this legacy through educational programs, community events and initiatives that preserve this rich history.
Our work honors the contributions of legendary dancers who helped shape Lindy Hop, including Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, and Al and Leon Minns. These artists carried the tradition of swing dance across continents and generations.
Harlem Swings also supports the development of the Swing Dance Museum, an initiative dedicated to preserving artifacts, stories, and historical materials related to the history of Lindy Hop and swing dance culture.
Through education, preservation, and community engagement, Harlem Swings continues to share the rich cultural story of Harlem’s dance traditions with you today.
Sources:
Manning & Millman, Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Library of Congress Jazz Collections.
Learn More
Check out the Swing Dance Museum initiative. View pictures of its past tours, donate to the museum or learn more about exhibition loans (for borrowing institutions only).