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Auditions

When:  

Sunday   11/10   4-7P

Sunday   11/17    4-7P

Sunday   11/24   4-7P
Please note you must attend all dates if invited, cuts will be made after each date

Where:

Z Room Mesa 1337 S. Gilbert Rd. Mesa, AZ

Let's get ready for Bomb Squad Auditions!

 

Recommended Physical Preparation:

Things to bring to the audition:

  • Dance shoes (tennis shoes not heels)...the floor in this space is not wood, so bring shoes with a slick enough bottom to protect your knees

  • Follows wear athletic wear (black top and black bottom) that will stay put when you are upside down

  • Leads wear athletic wear (white top and black bottom)

  • If you sweat a lot, you may wish to bring a second shirt and a towel

  • A large water bottle

  • A snack if needed

  • We will be very active and doing aerials...plan accordingly if you need an inhaler, special athletic glasses/contacts, etc.

 

Conditioning

Suggested conditioning prep includes:

  • Planks

  • Running and Cardio

  • Abdominal exercises

  • Jumping (burpees, box jumps etc.)

Aerials & Routines

Use the video lists below to help yourself prepare for joining the Bomb Squad. Remember to be safe, careful and know your own physical limitations. The Phoenix Swing Project is not responsible for any injury or issue with pre-training for auditions. Do so at your own risk.​ Always use spots for aerials, don't over train in conditioning, work together and have fun!

Routines:

  • The California Routine

  • The Big Apple

  • Tranky Doo

  • Shim Sham

Aerials:

  • Bocker

  • Pankcake

  • Lindy Flip

  • Kick Ups

  • Frog Jump

  • Back to Back

  • Judo Flip

  • A Frame & Russian Kicks

  • Hip Roll / Big Finish

Conditioning
Aerials & Routines
Learn the California Routine | Lindy Hop Swing Dance | Level 6 Lesson 3 | Shauna Marble
23:36

Learn the California Routine | Lindy Hop Swing Dance | Level 6 Lesson 3 | Shauna Marble

Learn this must-know choreography for every Lindy Hopper! Broken down into a "Simple," and "Fast" version, everyone can learn this routine. With at least 3 known versions of this routine on old films, any Lindy Hop performer must know the California Routine. 3 Swing-Outs 8-ct Circle Skip Up 6-ct Tuck Turn 6-ct Underarm Pass 6-ct Lindy Circle Send-Out Tango Frog Jump Jig Kicks 6-ct Tuck Turn 6-ct Barrel Turn Lindy Flip (Throw-Out - Simple Version) Slip-Slops Trenches Stomp-Off Double Turn to Tandem Tandem Basic x2 (A-Frame - Simple Version and end there) Yo-Yo Turn into Roll-Up 6-ct Tuck Turn Backpack TIMESTAMPS Section 1: o Breakdown- 0:12 o Simple w/counts- 1:22 o Fast w/counts- 1:50 Section 2: o Breakdown- 2:15 o Simple demo- 4:10 o Fast w/counts- 4:25 § Section 1 and 2 Simple w/counts- 4:35 § Section 1 and 2 Fast w/counts- 5:25 Section3: o Breakdown- 5:55 o W/counts- 8:43 § Section 2 and 3 Simple w/counts- 9:00 § Section 2 and 3 Fast w/counts- 9:33 Section 4- o Breakdown- 9:55 o Simple w/counts- 11:25 o Fast w/counts- 11:38 § Section 3 and 4 Simple w/counts- 12:20 § Section 3 and 4 Fast w/counts- 12:42 Section 5- o Breakdown- 13:00 o W/counts- 16:35 § Section 4 and 5 Simple w/counts- 17:00 § Section 4 and 5 Fast w/counts- 17:28 Section 6- o Fast version breakdown- 17:50 o Simple version breakdown- 19:59 o Fast w/counts- 20:35 § Section 5 and 6 Fast w/counts- 20:55 Whole Routine Simple Version to Music- 21:25 Whole Routine Fast Version to Music- 22:25 ​ Taught by Award Winning Instructors - Mark Godwin and Shauna Marble http://www.shaunamarble.com Lindy Ladder - Free Online Lindy Hop Lessons and Curriculum http://www.lindyladder.com
Full California Routine
01:23
California Routine
04:38

California Routine

California routine This routine and versions of it were first created and used by Whitey's Lindy Hoppers when they traveled west to perform in film productions such as Hot Chocolate and Hellzapoppin. Frankie Manning often talked about "traveling west" or "California" when he remembered gigs on the big screen so probably this is how the name came about. Traditionally this routine is used as a synchronized routine but it can also be used individually. As performers ourselves, we do understand that many versions are needed not only to fit the structure of the music but also combinations of dancers in each team, size of stage etc. This particular version, is what we say traditional, but does include a more old school version of what we call the Tango. Esther Washington & Leon James use this version in the film Spirit Moves which also this film production is very much inspired from. As a treat and extra, air steps can be seen filmed in slow motion as the second part in this little video. Dancers: Mimmi Gunnarsson Sakarias Larsson Music: Harlem Heat - Orchester Arne Hülphers (We do not own the rights to use this music. We share this video with the intention to share jazz dance history) WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create and to hopefully inspire. BACKGROUND Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines are traditional and created during the1930s-1950s. PARTS Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion. AESTHETICS This project is a collaboration between Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality photage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing. -------------------- DANCERS: The Harlem Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom. This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer. By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the hole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more. E-mail: info@harlemhotshots.com Web: www.facebook.com/harlemhotshots
The Big Apple
03:01

The Big Apple

- The Big Apple - The Big Apple was originally a big dance craze 1937. A caller was used to shout out steps and the dancers followed. This dance is still used in the swing dance scene but by using Frankie Mannings choreography that Whitey's dancers(Herbert White's groups for example Whitey's Lindy Hoppers or Whitey's Hopping Maniacs) filmed for the film Keep Punchin'. Withey's dancers used this one a lot and also generations and generations of dancers that came after. We often perform this routine in our shows to share the knowledge and pay tribute to where this style came from and from who we learned. We decided to film our version to share our interpretation of the original Keep Punchin' routine. Frankie taught Hot Shots his way of doing these steps first time in the 1980s and we try to keep his legacy alive as good as possible! This is one of the reasons we did this project. Besides the Keep Punchin' film, you can also see this routine performed by Whitey's dancers in footage from Savoy Ballroom and the story says it has been captured on film more times but the tapes got lost. Thank you for watching our video, but first of all, learn from the original source, seek and find info about how these steps should be performed, and learn to find your own originality and voice while dancing these steps. Dancers in this video: Fatima Teffahi, Gabriella Rosati, Mimmi Gunnarsson, Rikard Ekstrand, Sakarias Larsson, Fredrik Dahlberg Music: The Jeep Is Jumpin' - Bent Fabricius-Bjerre (We do not own the rights to use this music. We share this video just to share jazz dance history) INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM PROJECT: WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create, and to hopefully inspire. BACKGROUND Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles, and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines in this film project were created during the1930s-1950s. These dances are all part of the Black American Jazz and Swing dance tradition. PARTS Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion. AESTHETICS This project is a collaboration between Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality fotage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing. -------------------- The Harlem Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom. This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer. By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the hole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more. E-mail: info@harlemhotshots.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37mb1QROIw
Tranky Doo - Harlem Hot Shots
01:51

Tranky Doo - Harlem Hot Shots

This dance is called Tranky doo and the name, as Frankie Manning tells the story, was inspired from a Chicago dancer called Tranky Doo. She often used combinations of fall-of-the-logs. Frankie claims to be the one that first created it and used it for encores in shows with his group called Congaroos and at the Savoy Ballroom. Frankie also called the second part of Big Apple "the Tranky Doo part". Some of the steps are the same in these two. The story says this version should be influenced by Pepsi Bethel. Exactly what parts he contributed with, we don't know. This version, the one we do, is the same version as you can see performed in Spirit Moves and numerous films featuring Al Minns & Leon James. Pepsi is the dancer that perform this routine with Al and Leon in Spirit Moves. The first chorus is just as Frankies first chorus and from there it takes of. Pepsi had a different career compared to Al and Leon and ads a bit of nice flavor to this clip(Spirit Moves Mura Denh). Frankie also had a newer version of the Tranky Doo that he did later on. Learn that one too. Make sure you also check out Thomas "TOPS" Lee and Wilda "WILDER" Crawford's beautiful version in the short film - Love In Syncopation 1946. Same first chorus and then a bit different. Their passion, personal expression and style really shows in each rhythm they dance. Simply wonderful! Dancers in this video: Fatima Teffahi, Sakarias Larsson, Rikard Ekstrand Breaks as well as variations of steps performed in this video have our personal style but are also highly inspired by our favorite dancers. We learned through classes, videos, as well as tradition, but we perform these steps in our personal ways. We learned from studying the true masters and we want you to do the same. We are happy you found this video but use the treasure of films from the 1920s and forward! The original dancers in this tradition lived jazz dancing every single day. And their contribution to dance history means the world to us and all contemporary stands on the shoulders and work made during the jazz era and forward. Music: Rytm Och Swing Sam Samsons Orkester Och Folke Erbo (We do not own the rights to this music. We share this video with an intention to share jazz dance history.) WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create, and to hopefully inspire. BACKGROUND Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles, and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines in this film project were created during the1930s-1950s. These dances are all part of the Black American Jazz and Swing dance tradition. PARTS Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion. AESTHETICS This project is a collaboration between Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality fotage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing. -------------------- DANCERS: The Harlem Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom. This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer. By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the hole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more. E-mail: info@harlemhotshots.com Web: www.facebook.com/harlemhotshots
Shim Sham Frankie & Chazz
04:46

Shim Sham Frankie & Chazz

As a lindy hopper, we are most often familiar with the Shim Sham version that Frankie Manning taught during his years as dance teacher. Common knowledge is also know that the original Shim Sham was created by Leonard Reed & Willie Bryant. This longer version, many times performed by Frankie Manning & Chazz Young, might not be as familiar. There are some real nice variations in this one! Just as the more common one, this one is often performed to the song T'aint what you do- Jimmy Lunceford We hope you will enjoy this version! We remember and will never forget Frankies awesome sense for choreography, timing and his warm laughter and voice! Dancers: Fatima Teffahi and Gabriella Rosati Music: Easy Swing - Swing Swingsters (We do not own the rights to use this music. We share this video just to share jazz dance history and knowledge) --------------------- WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create and to hopefully inspire. BACKGROUND Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines are traditional and created during the1930s-1950s. PARTS Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion. AESTHETICS This project is a collaboration between Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality photage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing. -------------------- DANCERS The Harlem Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom. This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer. By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the hole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more. E-mail: info@harlemhotshots.com Web: www.facebook.com/harlemhotshots
Learn the Shim Sham | Routine Breakdown | Level 4 Lesson 11 | Shauna Marble | Lindy Hop
21:00

Learn the Shim Sham | Routine Breakdown | Level 4 Lesson 11 | Shauna Marble | Lindy Hop

Learn Leonard Reed's Shim Sham, now a regular solo line dance at many social swing dances. Though originally a Tap routine with loose format, the Shim Sham now has a standardized Jazz form performed by Swing Dancers all over the world. If you're out social dancing, then you MUST know this dance! Moves In This Lesson: - Shim Sham Step - Cross-Over - Tackie Annie - Half-Break - Break Step - Boogie Back - Boogie Forward - Shorty George PRONOUN NOTE: The use of pronouns "he" and "she" across Lindy Ladder are used in a context of lead and follow, respectively, and not an inference of human gender. Lindy Ladder is a proud supporter of LGBQT rights, and most of our dancers learn both roles in the dance. Remove gender bias from the interpretation, and simply focus on the role you play in the vocabulary. Enjoy dancing! CURRICULUM NOTE: The Lindy Hop is taught in many ways, because it's what is commonly referred to as a "street dance." When it was created, there was no curriculum, or set way of doing anything really. Frankie Manning himself once commented "what's a triple step?" after being asked about the "basic step." Lindy Hop has been around in this generation longer than it was after its initial inception and subsequent obscurity. This dance now grows, learns from itself, changes itself. As instructors we always want to stay true to its roots, dancers will find that there are many ways instructors go about teaching how to do this historical dance. Here is one that has worked for many thousands of dancers, and we recommend as a student that you learn from as many others as you can to get the full "street dance" influence, and join the conversation! Taught by Award Winning Instructor - Shauna Marble Lindy Hopping since 1995, for many years with Frankie Manning himself! http://www.shaunamarble.com Lindy Ladder - Free Online Lindy Hop Lessons and Curriculum http://www.lindyladder.com

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