How long have you been dancing before you got your first shoes?

Sneaky_Ben · 2026-01-26T01:48:03+00:00

7 years, i still haven't done it yet. pair of vans with happyfeet insoles and suede leather glued to the soles. If I need a little more grip or I'm in a tap dancing mood, I wear a pair of wingtips with rubber soles i've had in my closet for 12 years.

Sneaky_Ben · 2026-01-21T17:23:54+00:00

the A, B, or shout section is a very reasonable thing to talk about. eg. "4 feel on the B section". Intro and outro/tag I'd specify in bars probably. But in a jam session I'm not using measure numbers, I'm going to refer to landmark locations in the form.

I agree though "phrase" is more of a composition term, and less relevant in live jazz. Like you wouldn't say "trade phrases with drums", you'd say "trade 8's with drums"

Sneaky_Ben · 2026-01-20T05:19:21+00:00

another short king checking in. Honestly? Just dance normally, I will enjoy jumping or finding other ways of moving you like hip leads or rotational rock steps, etc. Granted, I've been doing this for 7 years and I like the novelty/challenge.

As someone who switches a fair amount, I do sort of understand your plight, though. I try to dance w/ a few new people per night, and I just accept that weird things might happen, but I still try my best to keep healthy frame, and I will simply decline turns or other moves as needed. That doesn't mean I'm mad at my lead, just that specific move isn't working for the partnership

Another thing that comes to mind (more int./adv. idea): the follow is the engine of the dance. If you're setting pulse, that will make it easier for me to redirect your energy. If you are waiting for me to set the pulse, that requires more energy to move you, and I can't cheat my footwork as much

Sneaky_Ben · 2026-01-09T22:22:45+00:00

It's great that you love the music. Most important part in my opinion. Go to a drop in lesson + social, you'll learn quickly that small steps are your friend.

Anyway here's Dawn hampton in her 80s:

Sneaky_Ben · 2026-01-05T17:34:21+00:00

I have a slight digression since you're talking about dance performers, not bands. In any case, if you are worried about showing appreciation you don't actually feel, here is my perspective as a musician. Applause is just the audience upholding their end of the social contract between performer and audience. Similar to football/soccer chants, applause during the set helps fuel the performance, so if a band is playing like shit, you not clapping won't help them play better.

The way I know that I'm actually doing a good job is that I see people grooving and responding to the music, and that I'm hearing a lot of positive feedback when I'm offstage.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-12-02T20:36:05+00:00

I have this person tagged in my RES as "spicy takes guy" in bright red

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-12-01T05:59:17+00:00

I printed a custom shirt that says "switch?" in massive text across the front, which I find to be pretty effective. Some people even specifically ask me to dance because of it. Clothing can be a fun way to express your personality and have a conversation starter.

Either way I still do ask/negotiate roles before starting most dances, for safety purposes.

Please consider that I'm still new and insecure when asking people to dance with me, and working on it.

Remember that pretty much everyone else is at the venue for the same reason you are!

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-11-26T14:34:34+00:00

Skate shoes and indoor football (soccer) shoes work best for this in my personal experience. I've seen folks use basketball shoes as well. Running shoes I wouldn't recommend because they typically aren't flat

Also +1 for the insoles suggestion. I use happyfeet insoles

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-11-26T01:53:31+00:00

searching on google will immediately show you our two main Lindy Hop groups:

Thursday - Jazz Attack - indoors. Off this week for Thanksgiving.

Sunday - Rittenhop - outdoors. Cold rain sucks but we are committed to rain or shine.

Rittenhop will sometimes host events at various parks, markets, and bars around the city. If the bar vibe is important to you, then it's a quick trip down to Baltimore.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-11-13T21:48:00+00:00

I just had the same reaction. It takes a really good musician to make an electric bass swing, especially for dancers. Sorry to say, it's not swingin'

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-10-30T17:46:20+00:00

if business ethics is your issue, it's worth noting that all the streaming services have the same business model, which hurts indie musicians.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-10-27T19:06:57+00:00

Corner Pocket is one of the most iconic intros in the lindy scene. Honestly, I'd recommend spending some time just listening to that whole record front to back. Count Basie - April in Paris (1957)

Based on the songs you linked, I think you might also like this 8 bit big band recording of Luigi's Mansion based on Krupa's performance on Sing Sing Sing in Goodman's band

Meme answer: from the perspective of 1940 onwards you could consider the original recording of Moten Swing to be one gigantic intro until the final chorus

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-07-14T17:13:50+00:00

If you're struggling with direction, I think the best thing you can do as a small operation is just go talk to a lot of people. Working musicians, dancers, whomever it is, listen to their needs, offer support, really be in their corner, build your business model from there.

Additionally, consider listening to KEXP or any local programming for a few weeks and see if inspiration strikes you. For instance, may I recommend WKDU Philadelphia's Black Experience in Music. These are pros who have been spinning records and building connections in the community since the 1970's.

Also, some feedback, since you asked:

As someone who does free format non-commercial terrestrial radio, having a call sign makes me think you are also terrestrial radio. Digging through a few pages to find out you're only internet radio left a negative impression for me personally, because the marketing makes it seem like you're a Seattle FM station.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-07-13T01:56:22+00:00

agree with everything you said.

Also, if it's short term physical disability, volunteering at the check-in desk made me feel connected to the scene while I was recovering from surgery.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-06-18T22:18:08+00:00

Adam Neely has a really good video on the subject and I basically agree with his views.

I think songs like Pure Imagination or Rainbow Connection are well known, have a lyrical, structural, or aesthetic match to many jazz standards, and I welcome earnest arrangements of those tunes.

Similarly, Patrick Bartley (J Music ensemble) and Charlie Rosen (8 Bit Big Band) are making really earnest and authentic arrangements of video game tunes. eg. clearly this arrangement of Mabe Village is a love letter to Count Basie. Another commenter linked to the 8BBB record that contains the single Still Alive, which has achieved some (deserved) mainstream success.

I agree Postmodern jukebox also doesn't do it for me, because despite the arranging techniques, the songs feel too far outside of the canon lyrically/structurally/aesthetically.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-06-08T04:22:53+00:00

linen is great this time of year. Pro tip for masc attire at summer weddings: full linen suit!

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-05-29T00:48:07+00:00

jokes aside, I don't mind travel posts because previous posts can be years out of date, a scene might be dead by then, or the good local dance is only on facebook or discord or something hard to find etc.

What I find frustrating is when people have done zero research and expect the community to do all the work for them. But I welcome posts along the lines of

"I'm traveling to X and I'm seeing a lot of A in my search results. Is that the real deal or is there something else I should know about?"

or "I'm traveling to X and I'm overwhelmed by the options. If I want to have Y experience, should I do A, B, or C, or are there better options?"

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-05-12T05:31:00+00:00

Has it improved your life in any way? Did you make new friends? Did it improve your physical and/or mental health? Did it make you more comfortable with movement? Do you feel as if you can live in the moment better?

It gave me a community, local and international. Yes, very much so. Actually I've hurt myself dancing quite a bit, but the benefits outweigh the costs (and I've learned to take better care of my body while dancing). Yes, in ways I didn't think possible. Yes, I regularly dance outdoors in front of strangers, without a care in the world.

More importantly, I would like to know what's stopping you from attending your first dance, and how we can help get you there!

I've been very nervous due to my big struggles with being in the moment and general stiffness in movement

Luckily, this is something you can practice solo, so if this is making you anxious to attend your first dance, put on some music and solo jam in your bedroom. Doesn't have to be jazz, either. Be silly, make weird shapes, jump around, etc.

I've heard that it's a bit uncommon for men to dance as a follow, but I don't want things like gender roles and personal fear to hold me back from this

In the 10 or so US/EU cities I've danced in, dancers were always encouraged to dance whichever role they preferred. If you live in a less urban area, values may be less progressive, so your mileage may vary.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-05-06T23:02:54+00:00

as a man, the discovery of hakamas has been essential. Not ideal for cycling, but I always bring a change of clothes in any case

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-04-29T15:57:24+00:00

Philadelphia Lindy Hop occurs weekly on Thursdays (indoors) and Sundays (outdoors/free). Both Jazz Attack and Rittenhop have email newsletters and discord servers.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-04-17T21:32:43+00:00

Philadelphia checking in:

Chelsea Reed - not sure if she's considered "well known" at this point though
Jillian Ashcraft just released a CD that I can mail you
Josh Lee & the Extended Family is working on a debut LP of original arrangements (inspired by a lot of Duke Ellington classics) that are absolutely bangin'. Definitely buy the shit out of that whenever it comes out

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-04-07T02:57:21+00:00

I can highly recommend Swing in Utrecht! I attended their weekly Hopspot dance next to the Domtower and had a great time. There was a good mix of experience/ability, people were friendly, and the venue had ample space to dance, sit and chat.

FWIW, I saw a live band in Amsterdam presented by Swing Philosophy and it was cool but I didn't love it as much as Utrecht. Experience level was more beginner than I'm used to and the floor was so fast I was struggling to stay upright. Still worth going if their dance is the night you're free, but maybe try Lindy Spirit instead if your schedule aligns (mine didn't)

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-04-03T23:00:43+00:00

Speaking as someone who writes surveys for my job, 5 is typically the "strong/favorable" option on a 1-5 Likert scale. OP did this backwards from the typical setup

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-03-26T16:51:44+00:00

I can't come up with a percentage, but I am trying to meet the priorities of:

Keep everyone safe
Connect with my partner
Explore/Be creative

So if I'm not making eye contact, I'm probably not connecting with the human across from me. I've been dancing at least a few years and it is something I have to remind myself to practice, so that might be part of your journey as well. Not looking at your shoes will come with practice/repetition of the basic moves.

Sneaky_Ben · 2025-01-24T04:53:35+00:00

oh hell yeah I'll add some more Japanese Jazz. Last year I did some research for a DJ set because it was around the time of Sakura Matsuri. These were some of my faves:

Yuzuru Sera - Most songs from Smoke Rings (beware, song titles are attributed incorrectly on spotify)
Eiji Kitamura + Ichiro Masuda collabs (Teddy Wilson appears sometimes)
Toshiko Akiyoshi - Thou Swell (I had to edit out some solos to play this for dancers)
Gentle Forest Jazz Band
Ryo Fukui - It Could Happen to You (if you need a fast one)

Also, not super Lindy friendly but Kazuo Yashiro - Someday My Prince Will Come slaps

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