When I called for nominations for the best Lindy Hop of the 21st Century, 63 people responded with 293 videos. Many of those videos were different videos of the same performance or dancers repeating performances at different events. I consolidated that list down to 132 videos after consulting those nominators to make sure they were ok with supporting one video of a particular performance. Others were disqualified because they did not fit the criteria. For example some videos only featured solo jazz with no lindy hop. Later in the process, I eliminated 4 others after concerns were raised about some abusers that appeared in them.
44 videos went on to be voted on in four categories. The main criteria for those selection was that they had to have received more than 1 nomination. After almost 2 months of voting, I announced the winners of those categories, but also moved the top vote getters in those categories to a final ballot to determine the best lindy hop performance of the 21st century which you can vote on now:
Click here to vote for the OVERALL Best Lindy Hop performance of the 21st Century
Below are the videos that did not move onto the voting round. They are listed in chronological order. When I solicited nominations, the nominators were given the option to add comments about their selections, but it was not a requirement. Some of the comments may not make complete sense since I broke them up by video instead of keeping each nominator's narrative together, but that only happens in a few of those instances.
I’ve also divided these videos into five YouTube playlists for your viewing pleasure.
The Best Lindy Hop of the 21st Century Honorable Mentions List
I believe this to be a Classic Couples Routine at ALHC (2000), with rules such as “no jeans allowed” and “no touching the floor.” Jen Salvadore and Justin Zillman from Orange County came out and knew they owned the floor before the song started. This was right during the so-called “Groove Era” of lindy hop, which basically meant wiggling around in a half-Westy half-Bluesy impression. At ALHC this year, one of the only times I’ve been to the event (and you can see me watching in the front row of this video), it also seemed that the “style wars” were at their peak—all of the routines were either Hollywood Style or Savoy Style. This performance was neither—Jen and Justin just came out and danced with incredible connection and rhythm, all (I believe) improvised. They were so into dancing with each other and to the music, but still had a sense of showmanship about them to keep the audience engaged. I believe the moment where he dropped and touched the floor, disqualifying them from placing, was one of the moments that inspired Amy Johnson to create the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in Minneapolis, MN (2002-2008, then she moved it to NOLA for a few years), a competition that brought the best of the young dancers from either coast to the upper Midwest to thrown down with no rules in a very punk-rock-type event. I think ULHS really changed the way the modern scene created and curated events, and by extension, the way people danced. Karen Turman
Todd Yannacone and Emily (Jo!) Hoffberg at ALHC 2001. I know, I know, there are other Nina-Simone-Love-Me-or-Leave-Me routines, but this one was the biggest inspiration for me. I watched this at a friend's house on VHS and rewatched it maybe 20 times. At the time, most of my Lindy Hop friends I looked up to were 10+ years older than me, so it was refreshing to see two people slightly younger than me absolutely killing it on the floor. Laura Windley
Hop Swing and a Jump 2004 World Champions
Hop, Swing, and a Jump had some great group choreography. I can't find the right video of the Traffic Jam routine anywhere online any more, but this one is just as good. Ben Holness
920 Special team at ULHS 2004. This was one of three performances in the team division of ULHS in Minneapolis, MN in 2004. I still find this choreography to be mind-blowing today, but for 2004 this would have melted your brain. I still can’t believe the audacity it takes to do an entire routine to “Harlem Congo” by Chick Webb. I believe this was Kevin St. Laurent and Carla Heiney’s choreography with the other local San Francisco dancers from the 920 Special, including Owen Donnelly, Todd Yannacone, Laura (I can’t remember her last name) and another dancer I can’t place. Eliot Donnelly has a cameo in a diaper at the end, but if you were around back in these days this type of thing was not unusual at all. Anyway, back to the dancing: to me this was the closest thing I had seen to Hellzapoppin performed live since Eddie and Eva from the Rhythm Hotshots came to Minneapolis in 1999 to teach the second lindy hop workshop I had attended. After the classes they performed their spotlight from the epic “Jumpin’ at the Woodside” routine they had showcased at the Can’t Top the Lindy Hop event celebrating Frankie’s 80th birthday (I didn’t put anything from that event into my list because it’s from the 20th century, but everyone should check out the videos, especially this performance and the epic jam circle). By 2004 we were over the “Groove Era” and getting into dancing fast and doing a lot more Partnered Charleston. Thanks to Amy Johnson, contest finals were now being done to live bands and the local Wolverines Jazz Band made their debut at this Showdown event, playing “White Heat” for the finals. You had to dance as fast as humanly possible to hang back then and this routine proved that you could still do it with some nuance, precision, creativity, style, humor, and death-defying air steps that were also musical. 19-year-old Todd Yannacone exiting his spotlight doing backwards Shorty Georges on the floor still kills me every time. Karen Turman
Swing Dancing Lindy Hip Hop - John Dokes and Denise See
This was the most influential to me personally. It has everything... mistakes, cool shit, playfulness, some choreo shit that they no doubt had done somewhere. The song is fire too. Omar Myers
One2Swing Jitterbugs - Camp Hollywood 2009 Team Division
One2Swing were pioneers and I still think of their routine when I hear the song "All the Cats Join In." Robin S.
ILHC 2009 - Invitational Jack 'n Jill - Mickey Pedroza & Frida Segerdahl
John Dokes & Dawn Hampton - hyper musical, fascinating watching their choices. Illustrates that Lindy Hop isn't one size fits all. Kenny Nelson
Lindy hop - Frida and Sakarias in Vilnius
Sakarias and Frida at Vilnius 2010. This is the one moment I chose from the 2000-2010 era that I did not see live. But I chose it because the video makes me feel like I was there and the energy and excitement of lindy hop and jazz is palpable. I had seen Sakarias and Frida perform these moves many times over (particularly at the Basie Ball 2004 performance and contest), and they still look so fresh and polished. Seeing them at this angle with a live band in the background and the audience eagerly watching and audibly reacting from the sides of the stage really depicts the vibe of watching lindy hop performed live. I love the architecture and lighting in the room, and I love how Andy Reid is casually sitting in the background on the steps of the stage in a suit and absolutely loving every moment of this performance. I had been a fan of Sakarias and Frida dancing together in Herrang in 2000 (the first time I had seen them) and the Harlem Hotshots (I believe it was 2003 when they came to my hometown of Minneapolis for the first time) for many years and they have always danced this well together. It was thrilling to see them perform together again in 2020 for the virtual ILHC competition. Their dancing together is energetic while appearing effortless despite the decades of work they have invested in their craft. Karen Turman
ILHC 2011 - Advanced Lindy Jack and Jill - Jon Tigert & Marie Ndiaye
New School Swing Performance at Boston Dirty Water Lindy and Blues Exchange
Teams Winners - The Bobbysox Brigade:: 2011 US Open Swing Dance Championships
The Bobbysox Brigade and The Fly Rights had a friendly rivalry that made them both produce epic routines year after year. Robin S.
Carsie Blanton's Baby Can Dance - OFFICIAL VIDEO
I’m biased ofc. No one had filmed swing outs like that or Peter Loggins just vibing on this front porch. Lily Kind
Lone Star Championships 2012 - Stefan Durham & Bethany Powell - Classic Performance (LSC 2012)
Stefan and Bethany at 2012 Lone Star Championships (but really any of their routines, this is my favorite, though), bringing the ""weird"" to competitions, as some might say, but I say they are brilliant. Voices all their own, almost an Al and Leon vibes at times, with their own fresh takes, but coordinated rhythms and concepts. And fun - I want this kind of fun in my life! Laura Windley
Adrienne Weidert & Adam Brozowski Camp Hollywood Showcase Routine 2012
Adrienne Weidert and Adam Brozowski's pointe / lindy mashup showcase (#5) pushed the limits of what I thought lindy hop could be. Robin S.
Yehoodi's contribution explaining to the masses what we are doing on weekends. Pop culture today does not have a lot of references for what we do, so it's hard to point at something that younger people can access and understand. I love a little history lesson, this is like a chicken nugget of history lessons - hopefully, they don't just eat one. Laura Windley
ESDC 2013 - All Star Lindy Hop Jack & Jill - Finals - Daniel Heedman & Mikaela Hellsten
Steve & Chanzie at Rusty's - Swingout Variations
But here's one that was definitely more influential for me as a follow. Since I didn't have a swing scene with more than basic teaching, I kept myself engaged and energized by learning more and more variations I could throw into any level of dance. Valerie Hertzler
Frankie 100 - Show at the Apollo Theater - The Harlem Hot Shots
The Hot Shots at Frankie 100 - For my final selection, it was a toss up at #5 between this and a Skye & Frida video, but since I already have the Silver Shadows at #3, I'm going with one of the best acrobatic Lindy Hop performances that has stayed in my mind over the past decade. Alain Wong
ILHC 2014 - Slow Dance - Finals - Todd Yannacone & Ramona Staffeld
ILHC 2014 - Open Classic - Finals - Ryan Calloway & Ann Mony
ILHC 2014 - Team - The ATOMIC Lindy Hop Colliders
The Atomic Lindy Hop Colliders (#3) is where many talented dancers honed their craft. Robin S.
Inspiration Weekend 2015 - Lindy Hop Tournament - Knockout Round
The Underground Jitterbug Championships - Camp Hollywood 2015
I ranked the Underground Jitterbug Championships as 1st because to me, seeing everyone go so hard but still being playful and supportive of everyone around them, that's what Lindy hop contests should be. Paul Riding
ILHC 2015 - Juniors - Rayshon Moore & Cheykira Holland (Baltimore)
ILHC 2015 - Pro Classic - Remy Kouakou Kouame & Ramona Staffeld (France & Australia)
The Snowball 2015 - Invitational Strictly Lindy - Alice & Remy
Montreal Swing Riot 2016 - Advanced Jack & Jill Finals
I love the energy of the dancers and of the audience in this one, and how they feed each other. I also love it because I think it's an awesome representation of what's best about the Mix and Match format -- sometimes dance magic happens with a person you've maybe never partnered with before. Those are moments I love as a dancer. Cari Meisel
Lindylicious 2017 - Saturday Teachers Cabaret - Peter & Naomi
Watching Peter and Naomi dance feels so inviting and cozy, like if I want to get someone into lindy hop and not get too intimidated by crazy moves but see how much fun a couple could have - I'd show this video. Joycee Mejia
Dragon Swing 2017: Mother of Dragons
The energy in this video is insane, and a reminder of what I love to feel when I travel for dance. Cari Meisel
SeoulLindyFest2018 - Opening performance: Felipe Braga & Alice Mei
Jam Circle to Jammin' The Blues with Jonathan Stout - Lindy Shock 2018
Nils and Bianca Barswingona 2019 Showcase - When I think fun and playful crazy energy dancing that's a stand out performance, I think of Nils and Bianca. Joycee Mejia
ILHC 2020 - Invitational Classic Lindy Hop - Evita Arce & LaTasha Barnes (United States)
Hot Shots Lindy Hop collaboration with Daniel Fredriksson & Tomas Sjödell
Marie & Nils - Invitational Draw - ILHC 2022
With Nils, we're getting into contemporary dancers I've never actually seen in person, because I rarely leave Baltimore to dance. I've often found that Boogie Woogie folks do Lindy Hop that gives me a toothache. They can't stop bopping around, and, I'll be honest, while Nils is an incredible performer and dancer, he's a bopper. This is all, of course, a matter of taste. What I love about this clip is that Marie just glides across the floor, and translates his frenetic energy into a more laidback and traditional Lindy Hop groove. To his credit, he catches this and throws it right back. For me, this is one of those magical mix and match situations where an odd-couple pairing yields something kind of magical. Social dance, people, social dance. Also, I could watch Marie dance for the rest of my life and be happy. Michael Seguin
Dance through Lindy Hop's Black American Roots | If Cities Could Dance
Highlights Lindy Hop's Black roots with excellent editing, color choices, dancing, and interviews. Kenny Nelson
The Continuum - Special Guests Performance with the Carolina Reapers Swing - ILHC EUROPE 2022
Jazz at 3 w/Skye Humprhies, Frida Segerdahl, & Remy Kouakou Kouame
LINDYLICIOUS 2024 - Sunday Performance I Helena Kanini Kiiru and Tyedric Hill
Two of my favorite dancers today representing what I believe is most important in the Lindy Hop and Jazz culture. Alain Wong
Ok u want airsteps?? This is a bit of a cheat cos I wanted nils and Bianca video but all the competitors here were ATHELETES and deserve their place in history. Great crowd too! 2024. Not bad Sing Yuen Lim
Rhythm Korea 2024 - Fastfeet Strictly Final
Did I say airsteps? Did I say ATHELETES? Now I say ASIA!!!! Yes I’m so proud of these (Korean) dancers - hard working, creative, respectful, and totally awesome and yes 2024! Sing Yuen Lim
1st place: Maria Ferrer & Aurélien Darbellay - ALL-STAR CLASSIC ROUTINE - ILHC EUROPE 2024
Carefree and cool dancing with a cheeky flair. There's a lot of interesting textures in this dance, from flourishing arms, fun body percussions. I love the variety of dance movements in this one. Joycee Mejia
Another cheat cos this is a whole show not just one performance , but hey China ! 1.4 billion people doing lindy hop! Almost hahah. I was asked to write and direct this opening show and I said yes only cos I knew the dancers were so great and able to bring my emails to the stage. With Erin Stevens there to help tell Frankie’s Story and bring lindy history to the dancers, the piece ends with the 500 strong audience shim shaming to Gordon Webster’s live band. 2025! I want to add that the live music for the Final was provided by Sage Min’s jazz band. Another mind blowing fact about how lindy hop has changed all our lives. Frankie or Dawn would never have thought such good fast lindy to a live swing band would happen in South Korea. Sing Yuen Lim
Click here to vote for the OVERALL Best Lindy Hop performance of the 21st Century
Also, shout out the Legacy Library project sponsored by the Pacific Swing Dance Foundation to which is trying preserve audio and videos of the generations of dancers who originated the dance.
Normalizer, ILHC 2019