Hand Dance: A Capitol Swing

This documentary, from the National Hand Dance Association and filmmaker Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, explores the history of Washington, DC's official dance, its variations, and its continued presence and popularity among all age groups.

[@mattieruth2171]

I grew up in Cincinnati and was introduced to 'Fast Dancing' as we called it in the early 60s. I've been longing for it for years. When I ran across Johnnie Pringle and Ernist Gist channels recently, I felt an overwhelming amount of joy. Now my sons and grandsons are being introduced to it as well.

[@beverlylindsay-johnson3113]

Yes, Ernie and Mr. Pringle have been the preservers of Hand Dance through video.

[@emmyprodr]

@Swinglady1 Most women who go out hand dancing do not have dance partners. That's the beauty of the dance. We enjoy it better when we can enjoy the individual improvisation that the men bring to the dance. Carry on.

[@strongholdeddie]

That was just fantastic. Beverly you did an absolutely great job with this. You brought the history of DC Hand Dancing home. You the and The National Hand Dance Association need to be commended for such a find job.

[@sheritawalker8689]

Takes me way back. Miss this so much!!! So glad you made this video!

[@juliestreenz2921]

I'm a Detroit Ballroomer as well, and didn't think I would like Hand Dancing. Now I love it and miss it now that I live in Chicago. (Steppin' has nothing on Hand Dance!)

[@mmarie294]

1967... and I was just learning to Bop in DC.. loved it

[@pamgreenfield2853]

Wonderful to learn more about this awesome dance.

[@525672ify]

Now I love the walk old school dancing

[@DvonCarr]

Now THAT'S doing it old school style.❤

[@b4boomersblockboy722]

I am Old School Hand ( Fast ) Dancer like Mo Better Man , I still Old School is still the best because of the foot work and turns that were incorporated into the dance and yes it's getting harder to find a good Old School Fast Dancer these days . Old school can dance to just about any type of music including Hip Hop if u have a Good partner !

[@goldcherry103]

Where do they teach the fast hand dance? It sounds like fun. 😀

[@stevenskolochenko9207]

Thanks for a trip back in time. Brought back memories of growing up in Congress Heights and SW DC in the fifties.

[@starbright1]

So intriging & great to watch! Love all of it! Such an Art of Black People! ❤❤❤

[@Swinglady1]

Love this kind of carrying on. It is just hard to find a dance partner.

[@DrAyaba]

The dance of Black people all over the states, you meanThis dance style has been around since the early days in the black community. We danced like this when I was a teen in the 50's and my parents and aunts and uncles danced like this and friends and family all up and down the east coast, Detroit and Chicago etc. It was the one thing that held us together as a common denominator among us where ever we went

[@urbanwarrior2]

in Pittsburgh pa we called it the Fast dance ...

[@525672ify]

Yes the boy club 17 and Massachusetts Ave., Southeast and the Payne elementary school in the summer time started at the age of 7,8,years old at Recreation centers boy clubs I taught my cousin how to bop I was I think about 7

[@pamelabrock]

I wish we had something like that going on here in the California Bay area, I would definitely go. Looks so fun

[@greglogan7706]

You do - it is called West Coast Swing.

[@claudettepeters3583]

Grew up on hand dance from my Mother and Dad Brad perfect instructor old School and more

[@thegreene01]

Well done. Congrats to all involved.

[@Swinglady1]

Thank you!

[@b4boomersblockboy722]

You're seeing some my turns being used here !..LoL... I had the Turns and Foot Work !

[@svclark9238]

The first dance my dad and did together as a little girl.

[@TipToeThroughThePrettyTulips]

No problem! I've had my share of song requests on KZbin as well. There are so much good, vintage music that I will never stop learning about fabulous songs and their artists. BTW, I used to live in the D.C. area. I really do miss the radio & TV programming.

[@alexandronjames]

The kids I grew up with did an improvisation of two styles of hand dancing - the Panama City Bop and East Coast Shag. What was funny was that the hard core dancers of either of these two styles couldn't stand us mixing the two and throwing in a bit of old jitterbug kicks for variety.

[@b4boomersblockboy722]

I use to go dancing at the Caravan Ballroom ( Wust later )on Sundays when i was a kid back in the 50's. Also The Majestic Hall located on U st. , Banneker jr. Had had dances too !

[@kevkno]

Fun for all ages.

[@BlkIndianMale49]

Isn't Joe Turner the one who sang: "GET OUT OF THAT BED, WASH YO FACE AND HANDS? LOLOL! "SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL!" I was only 5y/o when I heard that jam! My Uncle Robert used to blast that along with: Bobby Blue Bland, B.B. King, Jimmy Smith's "Organ Grinder," & Lightnin Hopkins jams, all the time! As a 3rd cousin to Ms. Aretha Franklin I now realize How RICH indeed our Heritage and cuture truLy is! Here's what I do...

[@ioxxd90]

Growing up in the 60's, I had sisters who were teens. I have watched them dance, dance & more dancing. I remember them doing the skate and all. Disco was strong by the time I was a teenager so people were not "fast dancing" like they were in the 60's. The only hand dance I did in the 70's was the "Bop" . I can do a little something but I want to get that skate down to a science......

[@shinecam1]

Never mind, she mentioned it.

[@emmyprodr]

@cear1945 DC Charlie - Thank you for the correction. I looked up the location on a website, and that's what I got. And no one corrected me in the past. Lee, Maxine, Brad and Cheeks are some of the best. Beverly Lindsay-Johnson

[@granprix49]

I see my old Dance partner , still working it out

[@everlastingcurves]

Wow!!!! Thank you,thank you,thank you!!!! Mr C sometimes has this playing in the background on WHUR's "Time Tunnel" and I could never figure out the title. = )

[@theettabell153]

American bandstand did this step to, when I Look at early tapes Guess dc perfected it

[@TipToeThroughThePrettyTulips]

Leon Huff, I Ain't Jivin, I'm Jammin' . Also recorded by T.S.O.P.

[@rayroundtree5451]

OK I

[@goldcherry103]

I love this video. Great dancing. What style of hand dancing is this at 9:21?

[@benjamlnlewis6836]

An OG IS ALWAYS GOING 2 B DRESS 2 THE 9'S & HIS LADY THE OD. OG ----OLD SCHOOL GANGSTER OD-----OLD SCHOOL DIVA

[@kjoycenunya3328]

HAND DANCE : EACH SO - CALLED ✋ HAND DANCE HAD A NAME FOR EACH PARTICULAR DANCE . GET IT RIGHT .

[@user-xm1ju4sx8e]

Сейчас должен зайти *куклусклан*?

[@carlsmith1667]

I would love to find a new hand dance class. If anyone know of a new place.

[@accountuser9382]

On twitter they said takoma station in dc

[@accountuser9382]

6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012 every 2nd Sunday!

[@ioxxd90]

Is that The More Better Man doing the Birdland in the White Suit?

[@theettabell153]

No,just looks like him

[@Jennings32053]

Where can I take classes

[@TipToeThroughThePrettyTulips]

Sorry, I meant to say that there is so much good vintage music.

[@granprix49]

I see you Peaches

[@WILLIAMJOHNSON-ps2sr]

WW Johnson - Do you live in the DC Metropolitan area?

[@winterlude100]

Can anyone tell me what the song is at 2:52?

[@msnangiej]

Detroit Ballroomer, would I be able to pick this up?

[@525672ify]

Long live old school dancing didn’t like the hustle and this new not crazy about this new one for people that never hand dance this new maybe for them

[@shinecam1]

So this is different from the Bop?

[@everlastingcurves]

I've heard it often, but can somebody pls tell me the name of the song being played at 11:48-11:55?? I love it, but have never known the name.

[@pammixon5925]

I Ain't Jivin I'm Jammin. Leon huff

[@WhatAboutall]

@ 18:32 mo