Photo by Reuben Brown

by April Siese

New Orleans is getting the jitters this weekend. The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival starts today, celebrating swing dancing of all kinds and from all regions. Though Frenchmen St. is the place to be for local swing dancing, it is The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown at The French Market that draws participants from as far off as Singapore and Korea.

Producer Amy Johnson started The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival and its big draw, The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown eleven years ago when she relocated to New Orleans from Minneapolis, where the festival was first held.

“When I moved to New Orleans in 2007 it took me a couples of years to decide to move the event. In 2009 I brought the event to New Orleans and created The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival & The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown,” says Johnson.

Just what exactly is the Lindy Hop? As Johnson explains, “Lindy Hop is a style of swing dancing that was born in Harlem, NY, in the 20's and 30's. It is often very athletic, making it a great dance for performance and competitions. Today it is done by countless amounts of people all over the world.”

The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown is judged by previous winners and respected dancers in the community, with finals all coming down to audience applause. About 400 ticketed attendees as well as thousands of people from far and wide make up that audience.

Can't make it to the festival? On any given night, Frenchmen St. is serving up a heaping helping of swing dancing.

“You want to hit up the Spotted Cat, DBA or Maison when any of the following bands are playing: Meschiya Lake & The Lil Big Horns, Palmetto Bug Stompers, The Cotton Mouth Kings, Smoking Time Jazz Club, The Royal Roses, Shotgun Jazz Band, bands that Washboard Chaz plays in, and any band that Ben Polcer is leading,” says Johnson.

And as for the festival, fans and participants can expect expert swing dancing, as well as top-notch dance bands. For more information about The New Orleans Swing Dance Festival and The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, visit their website: http://www.lindyshowdown.net