Frankie Manning started dancing in his early teens at a Sunday afternoon dance at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem and quickly graduated to the Savoy Ballroom, which was known for its great dancers and bands. Competitive as well as gifted, Frankie soon became a star dancer and was invited to become a member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the performance group organized by Herbert White of the Savoy Ballroom. In a famous dance competiton where an opponent was the famous Shorty George, thought to be easily the best dancer in Harlem, Frankie partner Freda Washington outdanced Shorty and his partner Big Bea—and astonished the crowd of 2000—with the first Lindy airstep ever done. After World War II, Frank retired from dancing and went to work at the United States Post Office. Rediscovered in the 1980s, Frankie has been touring the world ever since, becoming a driving force worldwide with his teaching, choreography and performance. His own love of swing music and dancing has been as contagious as his dazzling smile as he has inspired thousands of new dancers. Back to TOP ^

Lennart Westerlund has been actively involved in fostering and promoting Lindy Hop since becoming a member of the Swedish Swing Society in 1981. He helped organize the very first Herräng Dance Camp in 1982 and quickly became passionately interested in African-American dance forms. In 1984 Lennart traveled to New York City to meet and study with Albert Minns of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers; this experience inspired Lennart to form the Rhythm Hot Shots (and later the Harlem Hot Shots). In 1986 Lennart contacted Frankie Manning, and in 1987 invited him to Stockholm to work with the dance company. As the Lindy Hop revival spread worldwide through the 1990s and into the next century, Lennart continued to perform and travel extensively with the Rhythm Hot Shots, as well as devoting himself to study, research, and promote Lindy, and is one of the primary administrators of the world-famous annual Herräng Dance Camp. In 2000, Lennart helped introduce Lindy Hop to Russia, and in 2004 he opened his dance studio, Chicago, in central Stockholm. A tireless champion of Lindy Hop, we are honored to have him with us. Back to TOP ^

eWa Staremo Burak was originally a gymnast. She joined the Rhythm Hot Shots in 1986 when the dance troupe was only one year old. After seeing the Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers dance performance in Helzapoppin' she was hooked on Lindy Hop, fascinated by the tempos, rhythms, and partnership that were at the heart of the dance. The Rhythm Hot Shots performed in Sweden and internationally, and became very involved in the early years Herräng Dance Camp where eWa had the opportunity to work closely with Frankie Manning. eWa left the Rhythm Hot Shots in 1996, but has remained involved with teaching, dancing, and the Herräng camp. eWa explains that initially it was the aerials that got her interested in Lindy, but now has a deep appreciation for the freedom of social dancing where for 3-1/2 minutes she and her dance partner have the opportunity to express themselves to the music and create something special. She is very happy to have the opportunity to be part of this weekend, and to be working once again with her old partner, Lennart. Back to TOP ^