FIRST STOPS - Nils and Bianca #Video

The First Stops routine is said to be one of the first ensemble dancing routines at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. According to Norma Miller’s book “Swingin’ at the Savoy” (recommend!!) it was Frankie Manning that got the idea one night and he suggested to Whitey they make it an ensemble dance. (At that point it was only called “Stops” , it later became First Stops because a second Stops routine was invented).
We first learnt this version of the First Stops from Sugar Sullivan and Barbara Billup at the Herräng Dance Camp.
There are videos of Al Minns and Leon James, the Mama Lu Parks dancers dancing the stops!
We share this routine with you to stay connected to the roots of the dance and to the original dancers.
Dancing to Life Goes To A Party by Harry James and His Orchestra.
Filmed in April 2021 by Erik Norving