One Routine. Two Dances. A Whole Lot of History.
Every year, the last week of May means something special to the swing and tap dance world. The 25th marks the birthday of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, one of the most celebrated tap dancers of his era and a towering figure in the history of the form. The 26th is World Lindy Hop Day, held on the birthday of Frankie Manning, the man widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of Lindy Hop and the “Ambassador of Swing.”
This year, we’re marking both in our own way, right here in class.
On Thursday 21 May, during your regular Tap and Lindy Hop class at Five6Seven8, we’ll be taking a moment to honour these two legends with something that connects both worlds perfectly: the Shim Sham.
What is the Shim Sham?
The Shim Sham is one of those rare routines that belongs to everyone. It originated in tap dance and became a beloved group number danced at the end of swing nights all over the world. Frankie Manning was known for teaching his version to Lindy Hopper, a soft shoe adaptation using jazz steps, and it became something of a universal handshake among swing dancers. Wherever Lindy Hoppers gather, the Shim Sham tends to appear.
That’s what makes it the perfect way to celebrate both Bill Robinson and Frankie Manning in a single class. We’ll be learning both versions — the tap take and the Lindy Hop take, so you can experience where they differ and where they meet.
Who is this for?
This is an informal workshop woven into your regular class session, so you don’t need to book separately or prepare anything. If you’re already in our Tap or Lindy Hop classes, you’ll simply experience something a little different and a little more meaningful on the night. New faces are welcome too.
About the men we’re celebrating
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was a pioneer who brought tap dance to Broadway and film at a time when doing so as a Black man required extraordinary talent and even more extraordinary resilience. His footwork, his lightness, and his musicality set a standard that still echoes through tap today.
Frankie Manning grew up dancing at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom in the 1930s, eventually becoming the choreographer behind Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, the troupe, that took Lindy Hop from Harlem to the world stage. He retired quietly into a postal service career, only to be rediscovered in the 1980s, after which he spent decades teaching and sharing Lindy Hop across the globe until shortly before his passing in 2009. His generosity of spirit became as legendary as his dancing.
The Shim Sham is, in many ways, a small act of keeping their legacy alive. See you on the floor.
Thursday 21 May 2026 Regular Tap & Lindy Hop class time Five6Seven8 Studio, Shop U12A, Ferndale on Republic, Republic Road, Randburg
For more information: entertainment@five6seven8.co.za entertainment.five6seven8.co.za