The Shim Sham originated as a tap dance choreographed by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant in 1928. The piece was originally intended as a show finale that could be done by all the performers. Perhaps due to the wonderful phrasing or the classic tap patterns, it was soon adopted by tap dancers universally. It went on to become a favorite of performers and dancers alike.
Once the Lindy Hoppers caught onto this tap routine, borrowing the phrasing and patterns, then simplifying and reworking it to fit their own style of dance without the use of taps, then we being to see great leaps forward in terms of world wide popularity.
Thanks to some of the all-time greats of Lindy Hop, like Frankie Manning, the Shim Sham also became a tradition of being danced at your local swing dance whenever the song Ain’t What You Do, It’s The Way That You Do It” would come on. This version that Frankie is known for having choreographed (Beginning at The New York Swing Dance Society) is today the staple line dance seen in most every swing community world wide.
“….he roots of the Shim Sham tradition….I had the original idea of doing it at each dance at the NYSDS’s Cat Club in the 80s (this is before it was done) and Frankie agreed to lead it (and I’d lead it when he wasn’t there) and he then took the tradition around the world! Leading it everywhere! Happy World Lindy Hop Day! And thanks Sing! And Frankie!…”
Margaret Batiuchok
THE STEPS
Stomp Offs
Stomp Offs
Stomp Offs
Shim Sham Break
Pushes Cross Over
Pushes Cross Over
Pushes Cross Over
Cross Over, Cross Over Freeze
Tacky Annie
Tacky Annie
Tacky Annie
Shim Sham Break into
Half Breaks, Half Breaks
Shim Sham Break
Half Breaks, Half Breaks
Shim Sham Break
Repeat all 4 patterns and phrases again. Then
Boogie Back
Boogie Forward
Boogie Back
Boogie Forward
Boogie Back
Shorty George
Boogie Back
Shorty George (to your partner to finish dance)
Photos
