Free Events during Frankie 95

If you or your friends don't have a ticket for the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival, there are still a number of events you can participate in! Spread the word about these public, free (or almost free) events!

Be sure to check out Frankie's Historic Map - A collection of sites in Harlem where jazz music and dance history were made!
map :: PDF :: Google map

Friday May 22

10am: Memorial Service for Frankie Manning at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
A Public Memorial Service for Frankie Manning will take place on Friday, May 22 at 10AM at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (Fifth Avenue at 55th Street.) Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis, so get there early!

12:30pm: Free Dance in Central Park
There will be a free swing dance at the Central Park Naumberg bandshell featuring George Gee and His Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra! Bring your dancing shoes and sun screen and join in the fun! Mid-park from 66th to 72nd Streets, just south of the Bethesda Fountain.

Saturday May 23

4:30 - 5:30pm: Cynthia Millman Talks to Kids about Lindy Hop at Manhattan School
Frankie Manning biographer Cynthia Millman gives a free talk for young people on the Lindy Hop & Big Apple at the Professional Children's School, 132 West 60th Street (between 9th and 10th avenues)
Click here for more info

Sunday May 24

4pm: The Story of the Big Apple Featuring stories, film clips and discussion from three Big Apple enthusiasts/fanatics: Richard Durlach, Judy Pritchett, Lance Benishek. Panel Moderated by: Cynthia Millman

7pm: Live Simulcast of All-star Lindy Hop Show at Hammerstein Ballroom
World-class lindy hoppers from all over the world join together for a once-in-a-lifetime dance show that will be shown live on the big screen in the Hammerstein Ballroom. There will be a modest fee to watch this performance. At 311 West 34th Street.

Monday May 25

12:30pm: Dawn Hampton: Bhangra Also includes mini-documentary about Lindy Hop in India!

12:30pm: Central Park Picnic
Join us in Central Park at the Sheep Meadow for an informal picnic with hundreds of lindy hoppers enjoying the spring weather and good company.

2:00pm: Everything Remains Raw: Connecting Jazz Dance and Hip Hop
Featuring excerpts from Moncell's Durden new film and discussions about the rich history of American Street Dance. Led by Moncell Durden – Dance Historian, Cultural Anthropologist, Dancer

More Community-organized Events listed on Yehoodi
More info about these events will be posted shortly, from vintage shopping trips to tours of Harlem.

Panel discussions on various topics (as space permits; priority goes to workshop participants, but we anticipate additional room). Details to be released soon.

3:30pm: The History of Swing Dance led by Peter Loggins