Mandi’s personal thank you list – FULL credits can now be found at frankie100.com

#Frankie100 has come and gone and now it’s time for me to face a deep fear that I’ve worried about for more than 6 months; giving proper thanks to everyone who deserves it and trying not to forget anyone!

The list of credit is very long and my team was incredibly generous when they filtered the bulk of the praise my way. The fact is that dozens of people worked hundreds of hours to make #Frankie100 happen. I am so very grateful to each and every person who played a part in this event.

***I won’t be able to list every single person right now, so I’m going to limit this to the people who worked with me directly. We will be putting a very full and extensive list of credits on the website very soon, so please realize that this is not everyone. Edit: credit list now available at frankie100.com***

The Core Team: our first time all together.

Mandi’s personal thanks:

First, thank you to Elliott Donnelley who is the one person who was both wise and crazy enough to push for Frankie Manning’s Centennial to happen. Without Elliott, none of Frankie 95, Frankie 100 or even the Frankie Manning Foundation would ever have come in to existence.

Thank you to Sing Lim, who I have idolized and respected for so many years, for your support and camaraderie came in at a critical early planning stage. Without Sing joining me and Elliott 14 months ago, I don’t think that Frankie 100 would have happened. And thank you to Sing for masterminding the World Lindy Hop Day concept.

It’s with very special thanks that that I mention my dear friend, Tim Collins, for completing the fourth corner of our core square so perfectly when he joined us in mid-May. Tim, you brought a balance that our organizing team needed, and that I in particular couldn’t have survived without. I value your dedication, technical skills, spirit and most importantly your friendship more than you can imagine. Thanks for bungee jumping with me again 13 years later.

Thank you to Tim’s incredible support team, Nicolás Speraggi, Ruchi Aviles & Pao Aviles. Wow. What an incredible backbone. So much of your work was in the background and I don’t know if you can ever receive enough thanks for what you contributed to making this event happen. Please know that you are loved.

I think that the people who deserve the most thanks are Eileen Jones & Stephanie Taylorfor the leading the Registration Team, assisted by Laura Clarke, Ani Novshadian and Ben Holness. This was an incredibly labour intensive and thankless job. We could never have predicted the number of hours that this would require. You managed the process with dedication, grace, kindness and humour, even when you were stretched far beyond what anyone could ever expect from a volunteer effort. I bow to you.

I’d like to thank my dear friend, Judy Pritchett, for sharing Frankie with me in a very personal way and for helping to guide the event in the right direction, and for running the Woodlawn Cemetery and Frankie 100 Film Festival.

Shannon Refvik, thank you for knocking the volunteer coordination out of the park. I rely on you in many parts of my life and appreciate the sanity and hope that you give me. Thank you for taking care of me. I basically trust you with my life.

Thank you to Jay Hay, an incredible work horse, who was ready to take on the entire project to make sure that it happened and who worked his butt off this weekend.

Jen Pringle, who came in out of left field and went above and beyond the Terminal 5 decorating project to step in as one of our key team members. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Dave Madison, for being so much more than just “Houston” over the weekend, as well as your help with World Lindy Hop Day. Chachi, for stepping in whenever needed, and for always keeping Frankie’s memory as #1. Steven Leigh put in some serious hours and really came to the rescue over teh weekend too. Thank you, Steven!

Thank you to Cynthia Millman for so many things; particularly for your tremendous work on the Educational Panels and also for capturing Frankie’s words for all of us to cherish forever in the book, Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop.

To Jessica David and Andrea Cody for keeping our finances in check and of course Buddy Steves and the Houston Swing Dance Society. Without you, this event never could have happened.

Thank you to Deborah Huisken for pouring her soul in to the Commemorative Book, a truly incredible souvenir that I hope everyone spends some quiet time reading in contemplation of Frankie Manning.

Thank you to Alain Wong and Daphna Harel for coordinating the global celebrations and much more over the weekend.

The following people were not even able to attend Frankie 100 in person but deserve special recognition for their contributions:

Reesa Del Duca , Ally Martin, Michelle Long, Ron Dobrovinsky, Chris Trubela, Evita Arce, Michael Jagger, Fiona Warner.

I’d really like to thank Reesa Del Duca of Ballyhoo Graphic Design for the superb branding, professionalism and for so perfectly capturing Frankie’s joy and for working with me under duress on some very difficult aspects of the event.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on The Show, Swingin’ Frankie’s Way. We will upload a PDF of the Show Program soon, but in particular to Chester Whitmore, Ron Parker, Evita Arce and Michael Jagger who all played very important roles in putting together something very special.

We had a wonderful creative hosting team. Thank you to Hanna & Mattias Lundmark, Jo Hoffberg, Kevin St. Laurent and Robert Klingvall for the special activities and finishing touches that really made Terminal 5 special.

I am so thankful for the NYC Ground Team from both downtown and Uptown in Harlem, many of whose names will follow on the website creds, and to everyone who chipped in from around the world! Nathan Bugh, Amy Winn, Heidi Rosenau, Eileen O’Donnell, Laura Jeffers, Voon, Lainey Silver, Adam Lee, Nicole Zonnenburg, Sara Deckard, Adam Brozowski, Akemi Kinukawa, Claudine Lee, Allison Jones and many others.

There are just a few more names that are very personal to me that I have to add to my personal list.

To my birds, Lindy & Gaudi, who perched on my shoulder through hundreds of hours of work and who were a great comfort to me during some very difficult challenges. And words can not express my thanks to my husband, Geoffrey Holmes, the love of my life and the greatest friend and life partner I could ever ask for, whose patience, love and support allowed this event to happen.

And to Frankie Manning who I have grown to know more intimately in these past 14+ months than I ever knew in person. I’ve thought about Frankie every day and how I might do him proud and commemorate him with the centennial birthday celebration that he deserves. Frankie touched so many of us, and he certainly touched me personally on a very deep level. This has all been for him. Happy birthday, Frankie. #Frankie100

***I am SO SORRY for the people who have not yet been mentioned here. Please stay tuned for the FULL event credits coming very soon.***

Herrang 2013

August 3, 2013July 27, 2014 Mandi

Great whirlwind trip to Herrang this year. It was short, but jam packed full of time spent with the this year’s Frankie Manning Foundation ambassadors, Ray from New York, Itay from Jerusalem and Omar from Baltimore. VERY sadly, Dolker from Dharmshala, India has had to wait until next year due to visa problems but we’ll try to send her in 2014.

I was also able to spend a lot of time with Judy, and to have a productive series of meetings with Elliott, Tim and many other people related to Frankie 100 this May.

Managing Frankie 100 NYC, May 22-26, 2014

June 15, 2013March 24, 2015 Mandi

Building the Frankie 100 Dream Team

Posted on May 10, 2013 at Frankie100.com

Planning an event of such epic proportion can be daunting. There is so much love and passion for this event to take place, and where Frankie Manning is concerned we believe that where there’s a will there’s definitely a way. Though it’s taken some time to build a team of Frankie disciples willing and available to execute the event, we’re sure that everyone will agree that it’s definitely been worth the wait.The most important part of an event like this is YOU. All of YOU. Lindy Hoppers everywhere. But if you think about it, that’s not “you” in fact, but “us”… Lindy Hop is certainly the most inclusive binding force of nature and exceptional world community that I, for one, have ever experienced. When you learn your first swing dance steps you become a Lindy Hopper and it turns in to WE. We, the Lindy Hoppers of the world, are part of Frankie’s legacy. We are part of something bigger. And that’s what Frankie 100 is going to be all about. We, the Lindy Hoppers of the World, descending from all parts of the world on New York City to celebrate a life and a legacy that has touched us all.See you in New York next May!

Mandi Gould
Frankie Manning Foundation

How to get to the Savoy

May 6, 2012May 6, 2015 Mandi

We found that the A Train is NOT the quickest way to get to Harlem… or at least not to the site of the Savoy Ballroom.

Savoy6 — The man behind the camera, my hubby!

Some personal memories of Frankie

April 28, 2009April 28, 2015 Mandi

I have some very personal memories of Frankie that I would like to share.

Before ever having seen him before, a few of us traveled to New York for his 85th birthday. Dan and Mark Hart were two of the people who still dance now, and Arthur who went up in a different car. For me, it was a very overwhelming experience. There were so many people there, and they were all there to celebrate the one great man who I had heard so much about but never seen. I hardly had a chance to see him at the event, but I do remember how everyone was given an individually wrapped sweet potato pie because that was Frankie’s favourite. I thought that was pretty cool.

About 6 weeks later I made my way to the Herrang Dance Camp 1999. My sister and I took the very long ‘scenic’ (lost) route to get there. When we got off the bus we were confused and exhausted and unsure what to expect. The very first people we met walking down the Herrang road were Frankie and Chazz. I recognized these big stars from my brief experience in New York and felt awe struck, but both of these gentlemen greeted as with casual warmth and friendly hellos. Their smiles were genuine and kind.

I will always love and remember how Frankie would call all the ladies “Baby” and all the guys “Jim.” If only I could get away with forgetting people’s names so smoothly.

I have many memories of hearing Frankie’s talks. Though some of the stories were often the same, it never ever mattered. What was so magical was Frankie himself. I wish I could have bottled his enthusiastic story telling to save for a rainy day. His talks made me so happy.

A couple of years ago I had dinner with Frankie and Chazz and Frankie began to tell us a story – I think that it was about playing basketball with Cab Calloway – Chazz exclaimed with surprise that he hadn’t heard that story before. I thought that it was so neat that Frankie was still remembering wonderful and amazing snippets from his many rich experiences.

Later on I had the very humbling privilege of teaching with Frankie on three different occasions. I say humbling because to stand before him, to have him take your hand and begin to lead you through even the most simple is nothing short of incredible. To swing out with him was perfection. Strength. Surety. Rhythm. Absolute clarity.

Recently I saw footage of myself teaching the first workshop with Frankie back around 2002. I felt so embarrassed to see how I danced then since I have come such a long way in my learning since that time. But I also remember how absolutely gracious Frankie was dancing with me at that first workshop, even if I wasn’t very good. I am so happy that I had the chance to teach with him one year ago as a much better dancer so that I could really appreciate all of the nuances of his skill.

What was amazing about Frankie is that off the dance floor or teaching floor I could really feel his age, but as soon as it was time for him to stand before an audience he would light up and turn on. It was like he would instantly lose 20 or more years. The most remarkable instance of this was when we had to wake up very early one morning to make a television appearance. It was so early and he was so tired. But just before we went to do the performance he went through his transformation. That short dance was absolutely amazing. I have never felt anything like that before or since. Every step, every second was absolute Lindy Hop perfection. I am obtaining that video footage this week and will try to post a clip of it soon.

These are just some of the random thoughts going through my head about Frankie this morning. I’m sure that I will have more to add to this note soon.

Thinking of you Frankie.

Mandi

Frankie has passed away – it is our responsibility to continue to share what he has given us

April 27, 2009April 28, 2015 Mandi

Frankie has passed away – it is our responsibility to continue to share what he has given us
April 27, 2009 at 9:17am
Frankie Manning has passed away one month short of his 95th birthday.

Frankie was a truly great man. There are not many people who that can be said about.

Everyone has a story to tell about Frankie. About how he inspired them and really touched them on an absolutely personal level. It wasn’t just that he taught us to dance. It wasn’t just that he showed us the soul of the Lindy Hop. That was important, but it was more than that. Frankie Manning inspired LIFE. His passion for dancing was… is… will always be synonymous with a passion for life.

All of the good things in life, all of the positive energy, deeds and feelings; that’s what Frankie Manning was teaching us. He was radiant with it. Frankie was a living, breathing, pulsing mass of life-inspiration. All around the world, everywhere that he went, he inspired people right down to their core.

This man has left a legacy with us and I truly believe that it is each of our responsibility to carry on the Lindy Hop gospel. Tell people about Lindy Hop. Tell them about Frankie Manning. Teach them what it means to swing. Show them, not only with steps but with that same passion and joy that he brought to us. Remember that feeling. Cherish it in your heart and spread it whenever and wherever you can.

Thank you, Frankie Manning, for everything that you have given us.

Love always.