Lindyhop Duo - Ann & Graeme
Graeme & Ann learnt to Lindy Hop in the 1990's at the start of the Swing revival.
WHAT IS JITTERBUG?
Jitterbug or Lindy Hop (the original name), is one of the most exciting dances created in the 20th century and has probably affected if not changed more people's lives than any other dance.
It emerged in 1927 alongside swing music in Harlem, New York City and spread to other cities where African Americans lived. It is a fusion of formal European dances and African rhythmic dance styles. It grew out of the Charleston as the jazz music of the twenties evolved in to the swing music of the thirties and forties.
Jitterbug was the name used during the war when GIs spread the dance to Europe. After WW2 the dance was revived in a simpler form to go with the new music of the fifties, Rock'n'Roll. Even today the legacy of these dances lives on and it is now enjoying a revival worldwide.
How it works at your event
Graeme & Ann can perform a demonstration to start - usually 1-2 or 3 short, punchy numbers around 3 minutes each.
They will then encourage people fo get up on the floor and have a go! It isn't too technical - the emphasis is on fun!
Graeme is a great host and teacher and keeps everyone at ease as they run through the basics of the Lindy Hop for guests to learn.
They run through the basics and shape of the dances and then it's up to you - all to music!
A great fun, good interactive dance event that usually lasts between 20-40 minutes.
Biog
Among their teachers were the Jiving Lindy Hoppers and the late, great Frankie Manning. They have achieved national success and are twice U.K. Lindy Hop Champions.
They have done a lot of T.V., video and film work including; BBC's 'Turn Back Time -The High Street' - London Weekend's 'Barrymore Show' - the title sequence for 'Josie' on Channel 5 - featured Lindy dancers in BBC's 'String of Pearls'~ a history of swing music - even a comedy dance routine with the late Rod Hull and Emu.
They were the choreographers for an animated jitterbug sequence in Aardman Animation's major film release, "CHICKEN RUN".
Graeme and Ann work full time teaching and performing all over the country with their dance group and currently run classes in Bristol and Bath.
UK workshops have recently been in Cardiff, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Exeter, as well as visits to schools and universities They will come and teach anywhere that people are interested in learning Lindy. They have taught and performed in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Sydney, Denmark, Ireland and New Zealand.
They have also taken part in the Miami Art Deco Festival and Derry Jazz Festival.
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Testimonials:
Thank you both once again for making my birthday weekend so fabulous; your dance class was definitely the highlight of the weekend and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves with great photos to prove it! - Tanya
Fantastic dvd, very well presented and explained - already dancing better - Mike & Jen
Just a quick note to say THANK YOU so much for the fantastic dancing and the lesson that you ran last night. We have had the best feedback on you all - it really made the night.
Regards - Lucy
Fantastic DVD's!!!! Look forward to mastering them.....thank you so much! - Rosie
Great DVDs, great detailed teaching. Recommended! - John
Please be my teacher - Julie
I would like to extend our thanks to you for the excellent Charleston lessons on Saturday afternoon and also for the fabulous entertainment later in the evening - we have nicknamed you Mr & Mrs Elastic Band!
Kind regards - Paula
Thanks - you were great! and looked fantastic on the video as well. Many thanks - Mike
A big thank you for an enjoyable afternoon at Northfield yesterday. - Di
Graeme Puckett and Ann Peskett, lead the way with a spirited display of the Charleston. At first sight, the dance seems to involve a lot of kicking and gurning, but an elderly gent on the next table practically chokes on his dry martini as Ann hops forward, back somersaults, then lands perfectly in front of the hotel's mirrored deco bar. - THE GUARDIAN
Graeme and Ann show us how it should be done, legs swaggering, arms flaring and fingers-a-twiddlin'. They finish with Ann somersaulting over Graeme's shoulder. - THE TELEGRAPH
