Reflections from Tom and Debra: Competitions, Teaching and Socials at Glen Echo

"As my father, a non-dancer, told me, it's very hard to wake up every morning to go to a job you hate. And I never feel that way". One of the most long-lasting partnerships in Lindy Hop that began in the revival years perhaps belongs to Tom and Deb. Based in the Washington D.C. area, they started to collaborate already in the mid-1980s, winning a large number of competitions. Along the way, they formed Gottaswing, which became one of the most successful concepts of passing on swing dancing to numerous newcomers. Join Tom and Debra as they take us back to Washington D.C. in the 1980s, touching on how they started to dance together, all the competitions they have won throughout the years, their infamous ‘spike’ move, as well as all the thousands and thousands of students they met along the way. All Photo Credits to Tom and Debra. Video Credit (in the video) to Can't Top the Lindy Hop. Check out Tom and Debra competing in the US Open here:    • Tom Koerner & Debra Stenberg   For a glimpse into the ambience of the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, check out this video here:    • Gottaswing Promo   Thank you to ‪@Swango1cars‬ and ‪@Gottaswing‬ for the links above. --- 00:00 Introduction 02:28 Setting the Scene for Gottaswing 11:25 The Early Years 1986-1989 14:06 The 1998 Boom 15:30 The Social Community 24:17 Competitions 27:25 Teaching and Beyond 38:11 What is Lindy Hop? 42:05 What is Hand Dancing? 44:27 Glen Echo, Savoy, Sweden 49:08 More on Competitions 53:03 Role Models 1:00:05 Reflections on New York 1:05:30 Reflections on Europe 1:10:00 Can't Top the Lindy Hop 1:12:33 Signature Move - The Spike 1:21:17 Glen Echo Ballroom 1:26:00 The Business of Swing 1:33:10 Conclusion ---