DANCING
Return of a classic
Twice a week at the Eclipse nightclub in Northeast Washington, D.C., 200 students of the Smooth and EZ Hand Dance Institute slip out of high heels and work shoes, into ballet slippers and big floppy socks, and onto the dance floor to learn new moves.
Hand dance is a form of swing, and a close cousin of the jitterbug. All are descended from the Lindy hop, created by Shorty Snowden, an African-American dancer of the big band era. The dance--known variously as the Philly Bop, Norfolk Swing, and Chicago Steppin'--is experiencing a resurgence in black urban communities. The National Hand Dance Association estimates classes in churches, community centers, and clubs across the country have grown 300 percent in four years.
The classes are particularly popular with young adults, who are beginning to add their own steps and turns, says Smooth and EZ's Lawrence Bradford. "It's taken on a different flavor from the time we were learning it 30 years ago," he says. Older adults are now joining classes to update themselves. Bradford believes his younger students like the novelty of actually holding their partners' hands. "With hip-hop, you can forget who you're dancing with--hand dance makes you get to know your partner."--Anna Mulrine