Awakening Collegiate Shag
Somebody called Collegiate Shag the “forgotten bad ass dance.” I can’t accept that, at least the part about it still being forgotten. I believe there are many things we can do, as teachers or as Collegiate Shag supporters to awaken and advance the beautiful style. Here’s what I think we need to do. Practice Collegiate Shag like you mean business: We can all afford to practice our craft. The dance itself is unusual in that... [Read More...]
Collegiate Shag at Dance Manhattan
Good day all. Just a quick note that I’m coming out of the woodwork to teach Collegate Shag at New York City’s own Dance Manhattan. Classes will be on Monday nights at 7. Hope to see you there. tony fraser Read More →
Collegiate Shag Workshop
Collegiate Shag Workshop taught by Shag Meister Tony Fraser. Dance Manattan, March 20th, 2010. Read More →
The Kip (Swing Dance Aerial)
Wikipedia denotes the kip swing dance aerial as a synonym to the lamp post / an around the back. Though this may have been correct at one time, I believe this is no longer true. I also believe this hasn’t been so for a at least a decade. The kip in most communities refers to a classification of an aerial where the follower rotates completely around the left arm of the leader landing on the left side of the leader. To differentiate the kip from... [Read More...]
Spotters and swing dance aerials
Aerials require training, and the process of aerials training can be extremely dangerous. In my opinion, you can mitigate some danger by training correctly, but danger never goes away. I believe the best thing you can do to mitigate danger is have people experienced in dealing with the dangers head on, thus, experienced spotters. In my opinion, the spotter is the most important person in the room when you’re practicing a a new aerial, especially... [Read More...]
Principles of the Swing Dance Back Flip Aerial
The back flip is one of the easiest swing dance aerials one can learn. There are many different names such as walk in and knickerbocker, but they all operate on the same principles. Learn the principles before you try it. Principle one : Axis is everything! Regardless of the entry (one footed or two), platform use (hand platform, shoulder protect platform, free flying tuck), or any other factors, somebody is executing a back flip, probably a back... [Read More...]
Kip Strength Training
The kip is a difficult swing dance aerial to get. Because you can only practice it maybe two or three dozen times before you have to call it a day, it tends to make people shy away from it and focus on something easier. I love it though, and I’d love to see the entire swing community be able to get it. That being said, I have some suggestions on how to train for it in the beginning. I’ll break this into three subsections, main types... [Read More...]
After Frankie’s funeral
I keep thinking about how I met my wife swing dancing. About how all my closest friends are swing dancers. About how both my grandmother and my mother were swing dancers. About how I just put up a photo album of my four year old with about 50 other swing dancers. About how I’m quite sure at least 1/5th of the baby boom generation back from WWII met swing dancing. About how I was sitting next to Tony and Auralie from Boston, and they too met... [Read More...]
Collegiate Shag through changing times
Tony and Shannon performing a collegiate shag routine I have this passion for a rare form of swing dancing called Collegiate Shag. I sincerely think I may be one of the few who truly appreciate this dance right down to my core. What’s it like to have such a passion? Well, it’s wonderful and rough at the same time. It’s wonderful that there are a select few others out there that share my passion. We sort of clump together here in... [Read More...]
Frankie Manning
Frankie, I can’t even begin to say how sad it is to hear that you are not with us anymore. You’re the founder of all swing dancing, the aerialists that I’ve studied the most, and just about the single biggest role model for two entire generations of swing dancers. (both in the 40′s and in current.) And to top it all off, you’re just a nice, normal and humble guy. Rest in peace, and it’s an honor to have met you,... [Read More...]
