Workshops
SHIM SHAM WORKSHOP - REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
Thursday, May 25
8:00 - 9:30 PM - Workshop
9:30 - 10:00 PM - Social Dancing
Learn (or review) the classic solo dance routine with our new instructor: Simone!
The Shim Sham is known as the international anthem of tap, but it's also a mainstay of Lindy Hop line/solo jazz dances. Centering four core moves, its simplicity makes it easy for folks of any age or experience level to do AND a great canvas for expression and creativity!
Welcome to all levels - no partner or experience needed!
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Cost:
$15 General Admission (Normally $25!)
$5 for SOSF students who have attended at least 4 classes this session
You can pay either: online via Venmo or in-person via cash or card at the workshop, one of our classes, or our Wednesday Social Dances
*Payment is due at the time of the workshop
WHERE:
Funk & Flow Studio
1215 NE 17th Ct, Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, May 25
8:00 - 9:30 PM - Workshop
9:30 - 10:00 PM - Social Dancing
Learn (or review) the classic solo dance routine with our new instructor: Simone!
The Shim Sham is known as the international anthem of tap, but it's also a mainstay of Lindy Hop line/solo jazz dances. Centering four core moves, its simplicity makes it easy for folks of any age or experience level to do AND a great canvas for expression and creativity!
Welcome to all levels - no partner or experience needed!
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Cost:
$15 General Admission (Normally $25!)
$5 for SOSF students who have attended at least 4 classes this session
You can pay either: online via Venmo or in-person via cash or card at the workshop, one of our classes, or our Wednesday Social Dances
*Payment is due at the time of the workshop
WHERE:
Funk & Flow Studio
1215 NE 17th Ct, Fort Lauderdale
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WHAT IS THE SHIM SHAM?
Like many origin stories related to swing styles, the history of The Shim Sham is not well-documented and there are competing histories. The following is generally the most agreed-upon. It was originally created in 1927 by tap duo Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant as a tap dance called "The Goofus" performed to the song "Turkey in the Straw". They created it as a finale number for the song-and-dance troupe The Whitman Sisters, who were one of the highest-paid, longest-running acts on the T.O.B.A. circuit (the Black vaudeville circuit) in Chicago.
In the 1930's, the dance migrated to NYC (according to legend, one of the show's dancers was fired and took the routine with him). It was renamed The Shim Sham Shimmy and was performed as a show-stopping finale on stages across Harlem with everyone in the venue joining in - including the waiters!
Some of the Lindy Hoppers at The Savoy started dancing their own version as a line dance without the taps, but it didn't really catch on. The dance didn't gain the type of rabid popularity it currently has in the worldwide Lindy community until Frankie Manning introduced his version of The Shim Sham in the 1980's.
Today, The Shim Sham is danced internationally by both tap and swing dancers. It has had many variations over time and been danced to many different songs. No matter the version you dance or the song you dance it to, if you're doing The Shim Sham you're connected to jazz lovers across time and around the world.
Like many origin stories related to swing styles, the history of The Shim Sham is not well-documented and there are competing histories. The following is generally the most agreed-upon. It was originally created in 1927 by tap duo Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant as a tap dance called "The Goofus" performed to the song "Turkey in the Straw". They created it as a finale number for the song-and-dance troupe The Whitman Sisters, who were one of the highest-paid, longest-running acts on the T.O.B.A. circuit (the Black vaudeville circuit) in Chicago.
In the 1930's, the dance migrated to NYC (according to legend, one of the show's dancers was fired and took the routine with him). It was renamed The Shim Sham Shimmy and was performed as a show-stopping finale on stages across Harlem with everyone in the venue joining in - including the waiters!
Some of the Lindy Hoppers at The Savoy started dancing their own version as a line dance without the taps, but it didn't really catch on. The dance didn't gain the type of rabid popularity it currently has in the worldwide Lindy community until Frankie Manning introduced his version of The Shim Sham in the 1980's.
Today, The Shim Sham is danced internationally by both tap and swing dancers. It has had many variations over time and been danced to many different songs. No matter the version you dance or the song you dance it to, if you're doing The Shim Sham you're connected to jazz lovers across time and around the world.
Past Workshops
Shim Sham Workshop - 5/25 2023
Swingout Intensive - 09/24-25, 2022
Mariel Gastiarena Workshop - 10/06, 2022