Dressing Up for Lindy Hop ???

[Ray Sison]

Do a lot of the people in your Lindy scene (or Swing scene in general) dance the retro "part"? Including for "hangar dances"? It's great fun even just watching some of these "hepcats" dress for the occasion--and entertaining to bring someone along who has never seen such a thing...

[Ray Sison]

Do a lot of the people in your Lindy scene (or Swing scene in general) dance the retro "part"? Including for "hangar dances"? It's great fun even just watching some of these "hepcats" dress for the occasion--and entertaining to bring someone along who has never seen such a thing...

It's also cool when a live band is involved, such as Buddy's Big Band of Fort Worth, Texas. They play swing music from the 30's and 40's, as well as lots of other styles...

[Steve Pastor]

Yeah, well being from Fort Worth they must play a lot of Wesern Swing. Right?

[Ray Sison]

Yeah, well being from Fort Worth they must play a lot of Western Swing. Right?

Steve, you would think so. But when you go to a big dance event done by Buddy's Big Band, it's more like a big scene from a 1940's movie. With a lead singer dolled up like Liza Minnelli from New York, New York. And hepcats in abundance, with all the retro gear on. With music to match. Not only Swing but also Foxtrots and occasional others like Cha Chas...

As a Californian, I had visions of what Fort Worth would be like everyone else. And some of it is true--like this is one of the few cities (if not the only one!) that is proud to be called "Cowtown". And they do have bonafide cowboys and cowgirls. But it is a pretty diverse place, with lots going on, including a good Lindy and Salsa and Ballroom scene...

[Steve Pastor]

I'm reviewing the movie "Rock, Baby Rock It", and Kay Wheeler, who was in the movie, does a commentary. She says the kids in the 50s in Dallas, where some of the film was shot with local non actors, danced the Bop at that time. (You can tell it ain't West Coast Swing, that's for sure.) And when she moved to Los Angeles, she found that they where not with the new rock 'n' roll scene.

Anyhow, they have (had?) an event at local air field here in Vancouver where people dressed in WW II era clothes. Don't know if it's a regular thing or not.
You probably don't want to count the people like me who put on a Western shirt, jeans, and a nice pair of boots (no hat for me!) to dance at the country western place where we do swing (along with all the other dances).

[Ray Sison]

I'm reviewing the movie "Rock, Baby Rock It", and Kay Wheeler, who was in the movie, does a commentary. She says the kids in the 50s in Dallas, where some of the film was shot with local non actors, danced the Bop at that time. (You can tell it ain't West Coast Swing, that's for sure.) And when she moved to Los Angeles, she found that they where not with the new rock 'n' roll scene.

Anyhow, they have (had?) an event at local air field here in Vancouver where people dressed in WW II era clothes. Don't know if it's a regular thing or not.
You probably don't want to count the people like me who put on a Western shirt, jeans, and a nice pair of boots (no hat for me!) to dance at the country western place where we do swing (along with all the other dances).

Very cool, Steve. Washington is a beautiful state. Been only twice--once to springboard over to the Canadian Vancouver...

[Ray Sison]

http://leavenworthinternationalfestival.com/swingclub-pic.jpg

From http: // leavenworthinternationalfestival .com/performer.htm

[LindyKeya]

For special events, some people will dress up. For general purpose dances, I rarely see anyone dressed up anymore. That pretty much died out in 2003 or so, at least in my area.
Even for special events these days though, there aren't a ton of people who dress up, and the ones who do are primarily either those of us who've been dancing forever, (and still have a big section of our closet devoted to retro clothing) or folks who are brand new.

[Ray Sison]

For special events, some people will dress up. For general purpose dances, I rarely see anyone dressed up anymore. That pretty much died out in 2003 or so, at least in my area.
Even for special events these days though, there aren't a ton of people who dress up, and the ones who do are primarily either those of us who've been dancing forever, (and still have a big section of our closet devoted to retro clothing) or folks who are brand new.

LindyKeya, and the Lindy scene is altogether casual anyways--a lot of ours consists of students from the local colleges. And they just come as they are.

Thanks for the response!

[Ray Sison]

From Christina Aguilera's video for "Candyman", which features Lindy Hop:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png)

From http: // en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/File:Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png

[Sagitta]

A couple do dress up now and then. And it is fun seeing them.

[Ray Sison]

From Christina Aguilera's video for "Candyman", which features Lindy Hop:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png)

From http: // en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/File:Candyman_ca_like_vintage.png

I did not realize right away that this picture is Christina Aguilera x 3 !

Nice... :cool:

[Ray Sison]

A couple do dress up now and then. And it is fun seeing them.

Yes, it's fun here also seeing people do that...

[major swing]

our scene is predominantly people who wear swing clothing or reenactors clothing for our dances. so you get a mix of thirties forties civvies, some out and out lindy hepcats and more than a few dressed in vintage raf/navy and in particular usaaf dress. there are also more and more folks who wear vintage all the time, ie for normal day wear not just dances, and i fall into that category!!!

[Ray Sison]

our scene is predominantly people who wear swing clothing or reenactors clothing for our dances. so you get a mix of thirties forties civvies, some out and out lindy hepcats and more than a few dressed in vintage raf/navy and in particular usaaf dress. there are also more and more folks who wear vintage all the time, ie for normal day wear not just dances, and i fall into that category!!!

major swing, that's great fun! Including your everyday attire. And Welcome to Dance Forums! :cheers:

[Spitfire]

I'm not into Lindy, but I believe a number of people here dress vintage at the dances.

I don't think there's been any lately, but hangar dances have been held here at the air museum in the past and for all styles of dancing, not just Lindy. I felt this was really cool since I have an interest in vintage aircraft and dancing int he space between a B-29 and a C-46.

[major swing]

we have an hangar dance every year at east kirkby, which is a museum to bomber command and we dance under the frint end of a lancaster bomber called just jane. this attracts around 300 dancers per year, all dressed forties.
they come from as far away as holland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spitfire]

we have an hangar dance every year at east kirkby, which is a museum to bomber command and we dance under the frint end of a lancaster bomber called just jane. this attracts around 300 dancers per year, all dressed forties.
they come from as far away as holland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would love to see that museum; let alone dance!

[major swing]

Would love to see that museum; let alone dance!


come on over we will take you.......
they have a forties weekend full of reenactors,
everyone dresses up, the lanc comes out and taxis
on the run way(should be flying soon), massive dance at night on
the saturday, please dancing demos/freestyle during the day.
not to forget the haunted control tower with working waaf girls
talking the planes back in........
did i mention the spitfire, dakota and hurricane fly past!!!

very good weekend........
myself , id lm a bit of a usaaf nut and would just love to see liberators
taking off!!!!

[Spitfire]

come on over we will take you.......
they have a forties weekend full of reenactors,
everyone dresses up, the lanc comes out and taxis
on the run way(should be flying soon), massive dance at night on
the saturday, please dancing demos/freestyle during the day.
not to forget the haunted control tower with working waaf girls
talking the planes back in........
did i mention the spitfire, dakota and hurricane fly past!!!

very good weekend........
myself , id lm a bit of a usaaf nut and would just love to see liberators
taking off!!!!

If I were to travel to the UK again (Did so back in 1987) I would definitely include that on the itinerary. The USAF base here was home to B-24's back in WW2. One actually crashed in the neighborhood where my parents grew up.

[major swing]

If I were to travel to the UK again (Did so back in 1987) I would definitely include that on the itinerary. The USAF base here was home to B-24's back in WW2. One actually crashed in the neighborhood where my parents grew up.


you may be suprised how many of us brits on the reenactor scene just love the usaaf. we collect jeeps, uniforms. lorries, flying jackets, nose art, you name it........

[Spitfire]

you may be suprised how many of us brits on the reenactor scene just love the usaaf. we collect jeeps, uniforms. lorries, flying jackets, nose art, you name it........

Oh man, I'd have a field day with that! :cool:

[Steve Pastor]

I treated myself to a flight in one of the still flying B-17s a year or two ago. It was quite a thrill!

[major swing]

I treated myself to a flight in one of the still flying B-17s a year or two ago. It was quite a thrill!


my dream...................

[Ray Sison]

I'm not into Lindy, but I believe a number of people here dress vintage at the dances.

I don't think there's been any lately, but hangar dances have been held here at the air museum in the past and for all styles of dancing, not just Lindy. I felt this was really cool since I have an interest in vintage aircraft and dancing int he space between a B-29 and a C-46.

I've heard about hangar dances in our area--but I never made it out to one. Sounds great! Everything I hear about them, including the vintage planes! :banana:

[major swing]

do you have forties dances over there?????? vitrually every weekend we either attend one as dancers or actually get paid to put them on our selves.
it involves hiring an old village hall, decking it out with bunting/flags, usually a mix of union jack/raf/navy/stars and stripes, then playing a good mix of old swing/old english dance band music and jive stuff. everyone dresses in forties attire, and i do mean everyone, so youll have a hall full of yanks, british tommies, wren,waafs, land army girls, etc etc etc. then we will usually have a tea room serving teas and home made cakes etc etc...... the night will usually be interrupted by a simulated air raid, a few speeches from churchill etc etc..
then at the end youll hear the announcemount of the end of hostilities,
victory in europe and the two national anthems, us/usa!!!! we normally have a few vets attens as well which is always nice....... this scene is huge, and happens all over england every weekend........

[j_alexandra]

myself , id lm a bit of a usaaf nut and would just love to see liberators
taking off!!!!

[OT] My father was a navigator on a liberator, flew out of Harrington, back in the day.

[major swing]

[OT] My father was a navigator on a liberator, flew out of Harrington, back in the day.

guys like your dad are heroes to all of us over here............

[Ray Sison]

do you have forties dances over there?????? vitrually every weekend we either attend one as dancers or actually get paid to put them on our selves.
it involves hiring an old village hall, decking it out with bunting/flags, usually a mix of union jack/raf/navy/stars and stripes, then playing a good mix of old swing/old english dance band music and jive stuff. everyone dresses in forties attire, and i do mean everyone, so youll have a hall full of yanks, british tommies, wren,waafs, land army girls, etc etc etc. then we will usually have a tea room serving teas and home made cakes etc etc...... the night will usually be interrupted by a simulated air raid, a few speeches from churchill etc etc..
then at the end youll hear the announcemount of the end of hostilities,
victory in europe and the two national anthems, us/usa!!!! we normally have a few vets attens as well which is always nice....... this scene is huge, and happens all over england every weekend........

Every now and then, I hear of such a 40's-themed event in our area. I've not attended one yet, but know of a few that have. They sound fun! :cool:

[j_alexandra]

guys like your dad are heroes to all of us over here............

And he appreciates it still -- at age 90!

[major swing]

And he appreciates it still -- at age 90!

please say a big hello and thanks to him from me........................
id love to meet him.....

[Ray Sison]

we have an hangar dance every year at east kirkby, which is a museum to bomber command and we dance under the frint end of a lancaster bomber called just jane. this attracts around 300 dancers per year, all dressed forties.
they come from as far away as holland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That sounds amazing! :cheers:

[Ray Sison]

I treated myself to a flight in one of the still flying B-17s a year or two ago. It was quite a thrill!

I'm sure that was great! :)

[abifae]

Dressing the style is extremely fun!! If you never have, I recommend it. I'm hoping to find some dances to go to once my dancing is good enough I can actually follow someone LOL. And I am looking forward to making some fun clothes to wear for it :)

[Ray Sison]

Dressing the style is extremely fun!! If you never have, I recommend it. I'm hoping to find some dances to go to once my dancing is good enough I can actually follow someone LOL. And I am looking forward to making some fun clothes to wear for it :)


That's fabulous, abifae! And welcome to Dance Forums! :cheers:

[major swing]

Dressing the style is extremely fun!! If you never have, I recommend it. I'm hoping to find some dances to go to once my dancing is good enough I can actually follow someone LOL. And I am looking forward to making some fun clothes to wear for it :)


welcome on board......................

[Ray Sison]

Wikipedia gives this background info for the 1944 caricature shown below:

The B-17's capacity to repel enemy attacks and still inflict heavy damage to the German war machine and production centers is imaginatively rendered by C.R. Greening in this colorful caricature. Completed by Lt. Col. C. Ross Greening while prisoner at Stalag Luft I, Barth Germany in 1944-1945, this work is part of a collection of artwork that was published after the war in his book titled "Not As Briefed."


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Flying_Fortress_Cartoon.jpg/800px-Flying_Fortress_Cartoon.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Flying_Fortress_Cartoon.jpg)

From http:// en.wikipedia. org /wiki/File:Flying_Fortress_Cartoon.jpg

[abifae]

Thanks for the warm welcome :)

Ray, have you seen Dr Seuss's WW2 cartoons? They're great!

[Ray Sison]

Thanks for the warm welcome :)

Ray, have you seen Dr Seuss's WW2 cartoons? They're great!

You're very welcome, abifae! And, yes, I have seen at least one of those cartoons, I believe; thanks for reminding me to seek out more of them... :)

[Ray Sison]

Dressing the style is extremely fun!! If you never have, I recommend it. I'm hoping to find some dances to go to once my dancing is good enough I can actually follow someone LOL. And I am looking forward to making some fun clothes to wear for it :)

It can be fun for many different styles of dance. It is one reason why really getting into a showcase routine can be so enjoyable... :p

[Spitfire]

do you have forties dances over there?????? vitrually every weekend we either attend one as dancers or actually get paid to put them on our selves.
it involves hiring an old village hall, decking it out with bunting/flags, usually a mix of union jack/raf/navy/stars and stripes, then playing a good mix of old swing/old english dance band music and jive stuff. everyone dresses in forties attire, and i do mean everyone, so youll have a hall full of yanks, british tommies, wren,waafs, land army girls, etc etc etc. then we will usually have a tea room serving teas and home made cakes etc etc...... the night will usually be interrupted by a simulated air raid, a few speeches from churchill etc etc..
then at the end youll hear the announcemount of the end of hostilities,
victory in europe and the two national anthems, us/usa!!!! we normally have a few vets attens as well which is always nice....... this scene is huge, and happens all over england every weekend........

No, not as such, but what a great idea!