2019 Holiday Gift Guide

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

As we embark on this rather abbreviated holiday season, we have even less time to get our act together and buy thoughtful gifts for the swing dancers in our lives. Here are some tidbits and links that may help you out, but also, gift cards for retailers that sell dance shoes are always at the top of my want list! I’m highlighting visual artists this year because there is so much fun art being created, inspired by our dance art.

First things first – did you even know Lindy Hop wrapping paper was available?

Amado Peña;s Etsy shop is full of art inspired by the Austin, Texas swing dance community and, of course, Frankie 🙂

After years and years of seeking, through various sources, a complete copy of that incredible Harlem nightclub map from 1933, it can now be yours – available in three sizes.

If you need a gift for a Dean and Jewel fan, look no further.

Melissa from the UK makes lovely, dynamic black and white dancer prints (if anyone knows Melissa’s last name, I’m happy to edit this, it wasn’t available on her seller profile)

Show some love with a pair of Lucky Lindys NYC bloomers.

Amy Hood Illustration updates the classic Leon James and Willa Mae Ricker photo shoot from 1943 to a take on 2019.

Really cute swing dance fabric from Cleolovescolor, via Spoonflower

Emily Ensign’s “Swing Follow Pink Dress” oil painting pays tribute to the roots of Lindy Hop with a nod to Degas’ ballerinas

This guy made me smile – JAZZ DO IT + glitter phone case

Emiliano Puddu captures this Charleston pair in oil

I really want this hand-knitted 1940’s style sweater vest for myself…

I love a card set, artwork by Tamisha Anthony

I’ll leave you with this painting, featuring yours truly on the mic, by Conan Zhao – you can pick up his dancer/jazz-inspired paintings in their original form or on prints, bags, phone cases, and more. 😉

Jive Styles – Lindy Hop Tees

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

On a tip from Kevin and Jo’s Facebook page, I stumbled upon Jive Styles, a retail website specializing in Lindy Hop themed tee shirts featuring the artwork of two dancing artists, Sarah Carney (said in my best Duke Ellington impression) and Michael Lombardi. Their cartoons of famous Lindy Hoppers in iconic poses, from Lucille and Frankie to Jo and Kevin, are fresh and adorable, as well as their wonderful original artwork. I see it as a continuation of our legacy as dancers in art, with a nod to Disney’s animation of Benny Goodman’s All the Cats Join In. The shirts are available in standard, soft, v-neck, and scoop neck styles, and a wide array of colors – check it out!

Lindy Hop Tees

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

Every once in a while a really clever Lindy Hop tee shirt will show up in my newsfeed, and I marvel that anyone is making money on tees independent of a dance event, but then again we are a clever bunch. It stands to reason that we should also have clever tees to advertise our cleverness. A quick search of the Internets reveals that there are even more Lindy Hop tees and cotton apparel than I imagined. Here are some highlights (and if there are other tees you love, feel free to post them in the comments):

Abraham Lincoln is ambidancetrous - from IllustriousStudio on Etsy — Abraham Lincoln is ambidancetrous – from IllustriousStudio on Etsy

Evolutionary theory of Lindy Hop - at Zazzle.com — Evolutionary theory of Lindy Hop – at Zazzle.com

Variation on a theme and conversation starter - from lindyshirts.com — Variation on a theme and conversation starter – from lindyshirts.com

I like the simplicity of the Art Deco style in this design - from spreadshirt.com — I like the simplicity of the Art Deco style in this design – from spreadshirt.com

Comic book adventure variation on a classic photo - from plenty-hot.com — Comic book adventure variation on a classic photo – from plenty-hot.com

For your next impromptu live music outing - from redbubble.com — For your next impromptu live music outing – from redbubble.com

A definitive ruling on the style wars - from zazzle.co.uk — A definitive ruling on the style wars – from zazzle.co.uk

And I'll leave you with this bit of bliss - from DC's Jam Cellar — And I’ll leave you with this bit of bliss – from DC’s Jam Cellar

Lindy Hop on AllPosters.com

This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

This is the largest print, 48 X 72 inches - yeah! — This is the largest print, 48 X 72 inches – focal point!

I’ve been helping Jason Sager pick out items* for his new studio space for The Lindy Lab and one of the decorative items is artwork for the walls. Studios tend to have large expanses of wall, so the question becomes how does one fill up that space in an interesting and inspiring way?

With Lindy Hop photography prints, of course. A search for “Lindy Hop” on AllPosters.com takes you to a selection of photographs from the August 23, 1943 LIFE Magazine spread featuring Leon James, Willa Mae Ricker, Kaye Popp, and Stanley Catron. If you’re in the market for wall art, these are some great, classic Lindy Hop prints!

*New items also include this bad ass Art Deco bar that’s going to be the DJ booth – oh, yes!

This one seems like it would be a good fit for a studio - progression of movement ;) — This one seems like it would be a good fit for a studio – progression of movement 😉