The Click Heard Round the World

Public Funeral for Frankie Manning on May 2: All Are Welcome

I received word from Frankie's family that on Saturday, May 2, there will be a public funeral for Mr. Frankie Manning at the Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. The viewing is from 10am to noon, with a service at noon. The address is 15 Mount Morris Park West (corner of West 122nd Street, facing park). Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery will follow the service. A repast will follow the interment, including dancing to George Gee, one of Frankie's favorite bands!

Note that for those that can not make this service, there will be a memorial during the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival later in May. So do come to the funeral if are able to. But if you can not, there will be another opportunity in New York to gather with other lindy hoppers to remember Frankie.

More information after the jump...

Spuds and Rik talk about our hero Frankie Manning on the Yehoodi Talk Show

Legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning was an inspiration for tens of thousands around the world, include all of us at Yehoodi.com .  Spuds and I talked briefly about it last night on a special Yehoodi Talk Show. 

We miss you, Frankie.

Virtual tributes to swing dance legend Frankie Manning on Twitter, FaceBook, Yehoodi, etc

As news about Frankie Manning's passing spreads around the world today, I witnessed an explosion of surprise, grief, and tearful remembrance live on the internet.  It was like being surrounded by the voices of hundreds and hundreds of Frankie's friends and fans from around the globe in a collective, ever-changing memorial. 

It's a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much in his 94 years on this plane to spread the joy of swing to every corner of the world.  Here are some links for those of you who want to witness this yourself:

• Twitter Search "Frankie Manning"
• Facebook discussion in Frankie 95 Festival Event listing
• Yehoodi discussion "Frankie Manning: May 26, 1914-April 27, 2009"

Feel free to add other links to online forums, blog posts and other online tributes in the comments section.   

Frankie Manning: May 26, 1914 - April 27, 2009

Just posted this to the news section of Yehoodi.com:

It is with great regret that we inform you that legendary lindy hopper and inspiration to tens of thousands of dancers around the world Mr. Frankie Manning passed away peacefully early this morning.

More information about memorials and an official announcement as we hear it.

Frankie's time draws near: now it's our turn... a one, a two...

All indications are that -- barring a medical miracle -- Frankie Manning does not have long on this plane.  My understanding is that he is at this point non-responsive to communication and medications, and that his doctors think that he has at most a day or two left.

The outpouring of prayers and good thoughts from all over the globe on Yehoodi, FaceBook, in the mail, on this blog, and elsewhere has been incredible to witness over the past days.  Frankie's family and closest friends are surely much heartened by the incredible showing of support from the lindy hop community.

Tonight I talked in person, phoned, exchanged emails, Facebook messages, discussion board posts, and IM chat with dozens and dozens of people who are heartbroken about this.  The dance I was attending put on by the New York Swing Dance Society had a  moment of silence for Frankie, as well as did a Shim Sham in his honor.

And that's what life in the lindy hop world is going to be like for awhile.

---

UPDATE 4/27/09, 8AM: Frankie left us this morning

Dig Deeper brings Lee Fields to the Five Spot in Fort Greene (video)

I was fortunate enough to catch soul singer Lee Fields performing last night at the Five Spot in Fort Greene, the latest in the impressive monthly live soul music parties thrown by the nice folks at Dig Deeper.  What a fantastic night of soul music.

Even at Mr Fields advanced age, he still tore it up on-stage.  Opening with a rousing James Brown medley, he played a full set of his hits over the years, from the rocking "Everybody" to swaying blues to crooning soul.  The packed crowd of mostly youngsters had a great time, although I was one of the few who were at the front of the stage actually dancing.  Seriously, how do you NOT dance to this?

Not just one of these hidden soul gems that recorded a few singles in the 70s and then moved on to other careers, Mr. Fields has been recording and performing from back in the day all the way to today.  And it really showed in his stage presence, energy and professionalism.  And according to the MC, Lee Fields has a new CD coming out in about a month!

Frankie Manning Health Update: prayers, cards, good energy appreciated

Update from folks who are close by Frankie Manning in the hospital:

As you might have heard, Frankie entered the hospital a week and a half ago, due to problems with his medication. Then on Friday, he was taken into the intensive care unit after he developed pneumonia. It is a very serious situation.  Although he cannot talk or move his limbs, he recognizes people and responds to their messages of caring and love. Throughout all of this his spirit remains strong and his family and close friends are with him.

Please take some time during your day to send Frankie healing energy, prayers and love and tell everyone you know to do the same. You can also send him a personal note of encouragement here:

Frankie Manning, PO Box 737648 , Elmhurst NY 11373

Frankie needs our support!

More updates as we know more.  I'm holding Frankie and his nearest and dearest in the Light in this difficult time.

Official Schedule of 2009 "Midsummer Night's Swing" series at Lincoln Center

 

Find more videos like this on Midsummer Night Swing
Here, finally is the confirmed schedule of this year's Midsummer Night's Swing at Lincoln Center. For those that don't know, Midsummer Night's Swing is a long-running series of dance concerts thrown by Lincoln Center every summer in their courtyard area. On the sad this, this year the schedule looks super-short, from July 7 to July 25 only! (Darn you, recession!) On the plus side, it's always a great time and a real New York bargain!

The schedule is as follows:

Date    Show Description
July 7    Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers
July 8    Chubby Checker & the Wildcats
July 9    Woody Herman Orchestra, directed by Frank Tiberi
July 10   Occidental Brothers Dance Band International + Samba Mapangala & Virunga
July 11   Big 3 Palladium Orchestra
July 14    Melba Joyce & Her Big Band
July 15    Otros Aires
July 16    The Get Down: (Soul/R&B) featuring William Bell, Harvey Scales, and The Bobettes, with The Bo-Keys

July 17    Ponderosa Stomp (Rockabilly) featuring The Collins Kids, Carl Mann, and Joe Clay, with Deke Dickerson and the Eccofonics
July 18    Kid's Day! & New Swing Sextet
July 21    Catherine Russell and Cat & the Hounds Swing Band
July 22    Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
July 23   La Excelencia
July 24   La Sonora Dinamita
July 25   Harlem Renaissance Orchestra with special guest Houston Person

Tickets are $15 a concert, with discount passes if you buy the whole series.  Or you can be cheap and go for free on the marble around the dance floor.

Frankie Manning in the hospital: send in those get well cards!

Here's a message from the Frankie 95 Festival organizers about the health of 94-year old legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning:

Frankie is in the hospital and has been there since last Friday. He's being treated for a bad reaction to a medication and will remain in the hospital for poking, prodding and adjusting. He's very weak at the moment, and could use your prayers to get through this tough spot. However, all indications are that he's going to make a full recovery from this and is looking forward to seeing all of you at his birthday festival.

In the meantime, Frankie needs something to do while he's hanging out in the hospital and he loves to hear from his friends from all around the world. You can send him a personal note of encouragement here:

Frankie Manning, PO Box 737648 , Elmhurst NY 11373

More information will be provided as it comes in. Meanwhile, prayers and cards appreciated.

Watching the "This American Life" simulcast: collective storytelling in the Digital Age

Tonight Christina and I went to see a live simulcast of the public radio show "This American Life" being shown at the Union Square Regal theater, along with 143 other movie theaters around the country.  It was rather strange knowing that the show was being taped live just a few blocks south at the NYU Skirball Theater, and yet being collectively experienced by thousands of others around the country. 

It was a great program, featuring stories told live by Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, Mike Birbiglia and host Ira Glass, animated shorts, and pre-recorded video segments.  Joss Whedon even came out and sang a song, which pleased the geeks in the audience to no end.

Going into it, I had a doubt about how "live" the event would feel, watching it from a movie theater.  But I have to say that the experience did give me a feeling of "being there."  Different from simply watching it online or on television, I was in a packed theater space with hundreds of other TAL fans, along with thousands of other fans around the country gathered in similar spaces. 

The highlight for me was when Dan Savage told the story of his mother passing away not long ago. At a certain point, Dan started to choke up on stage, struggling to keep reading his story. I, along with thousands of others around the country, felt very moved and touched that he was sharing this with us.  It was a beautiful moment.

Altogether experiencing "This American Life" in this way was a fascinating collective story-telling experience.  Certainly well worth my $20.