2024
Black History Month
Black History Month 2024 has been dedicated to African Americans and the Arts! What a perfect time for us to reflect on the rich history of swing dance (a black American dance) and the music which inspired it.
To honor the history and the future of swing dance, BAL STL will be using this platform during the month of February 2024 to highlight black individuals, organizations, and events which have helped shape dance and music into what we know today.
Please keep in mind that I am a white dancer and scene organizer discussing black American art forms. I do so with the intent to support and honor black dancers and musicians. I do my best to ensure that the sources I have used in my research are credible and reliable; however, much of the history that we know of swing dance and jazz has been impacted by the prejudices of those recording it. When I make mistakes I would love to be kindly corrected and directed to more reliable information.
The Black Lindy Hoppers Fund is an independent program whose mission is to “provide assistance to established and developing dancers, musicians, researchers and community builders endeavoring to be of greater service to community members of African and African diasporic heritage.
”The organization offers grants for developing ongoing dance programs, event passes, resources and educational platforms for dancers and musicians, and more! The organization is committed to preserving the history of swing dance through research and documentation, a history that due to prejudice has been largely left out of history books.
BAL STL provides free balboa lessons to the St. Louis community. We do however collect some donations. To help support black swing dancers and musicians, all donations to BAL STL during the month of February 2024 will go towards the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund.
If you would like to contribute to the cause you can either donate to BAL STL or donate directly to The Black Lindy Hoppers Fund.
View BAL STL's 2024 BHM Posts
Every day for the month of Feb 2024 BAL STL posted on Instagram and Facebook about Black musicians, dancers, activists, and historical locations in an effort to recognize and honor the history and future of swing dance. Check those posts out in the links on each photo.
