Why we love Frankie Manning!
by Alain Wong
Frankie Manning appeals to folks to open up their homes to visitors coming into town for the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival.
Read what our writers think about Frankie.
Casey Schneider: Frankie is the consummate example of the idea that if you have great passion for something, it cannot die. His (and his contemporaries’) lifetime of love for the dance has sustained it for over 75 years, and it quite clearly shows no signs of abatement. His openness and desire to share his knowledge and love have inspired countless people, myself included, and he rightfully stands as an American dance icon. He can also chuck a bitch like no other. Happy Birthday, Frankie!
from Mike Thibault: For me, Frankie Manning has always represented the soul of Lindy Hop. His joy for the dance has spread to countless others across the world, and his characteristic enthusiasm and optimism now seem somehow intertwined with what we do. For many years in my dance career, I had recurring “dance funks” in which I felt terrible about my dancing, and down on myself as a result. During a particularly bad funk, I attended a Frankie Manning workshop. Just watching him teach, laugh, and love every minute of that workshop made me stop and say, “Now, *that* is what it’s all about!”, and I snapped right out of it. I am happy to say I haven’t had a funk in many years, thanks to many joyful reminders, both from Frankie and from those who share that same joy. My first encounter with Frankie was in January of 1999. In these past ten years he has been a constant source of inspiration to me, and will forever represent that enthusiasm, that optimism, that soul of Lindy Hop.
Bobby White: Frankie Manning is more than just an idol. An incredible creator in swing dancing. An inspiring, kind, person. A bionic man who will outlive us all? If there’s one reason why most of us are doing Lindy Hop instead of being long past the the 6-count jitterbug craze from the late 90s, it’s Frankie. Frankie is the main reason Hellzapoppin exist. For all I know, Frankie is the reason I exist. Frankie is possibly a kind diety that overlooks all of us. Seriously, Frankie, with his wealth of creativity, kindess, and spirit of life, is one of the greatest people I can IMAGINE. It’s hard to imagine someone like him exists.
Here’s a collection of global shim shams that happened all around the world last week during Frankie Week.
(coming soon)
