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Loading... Swingin' at the Savoy (edition 2001)by Norma Miller (Author)
Work InformationSwingin' at the Savoy: The Memoir of a Jazz Dancer by Norma Miller
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Dancer, award-winning choreographer, show producer, stand-up comedienne, TV/film actress, and author, Norma Miller shares her touching historical memoir of Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom and the phenomenal music and dance craze that spread the power of Swing across the world like wildfire. It was a time when the music was Swing, and Harlem was king. Renowned as the world's most beautiful ballroom, and the largest and most elegant in Harlem, the Savoy was the only ballroom not segregated when it opened in 1926. The Savoy hosted the best bands and attracted the best dancers by offering the challenge of fierce competition. White people travelled uptown to learn exciting new dance styles. Dance contest winner by fourteen, Norma Miller became a member of Herbert White's world famous Whitey's Lindy Hoppers and a celebrated Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hop champion. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)792.8The arts Recreational and performing arts Stage presentations, Theatre Ballet and modern danceLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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The main issue I had with the book was that it was sometimes unclear about when and where Miller was talking about. She would follow one train of thought and time for a while, then seemed to go back and talk about a different detail, but it was unclear where it fell within the timeline as a whole. In addition, sometimes the photos included in the book were placed on pages where they had no context or connection.
That being said, whenever she described events the sights and emotions were so beautiful and well expressed that readers can almost feel like they were standing there experiencing it beside her. If you want to know more about the Lindy Hop and how it developed, transformed, and travelled across the US and the world, this memoir is a great place to start. If you aren't already familiar with some of the names of those who actively shaped this dance through either music or dance there may be a lot to take in, but I wouldn't put that as a reason to not pick this up. ( )