From 1923 to 1935, the Cotton Club was the place to see and be seen in Harlem, U.S.A. It was the meeting place for the rich and famous who were entertained by supremely talented American artists like Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Ivy Anderson, Noble Sissle, Dorothy Dandridge, Jimmy Lunceford and a host of others. The paradox was that the club was segregated -- the audience was all white and the performers were all black. It was the best and worst of America in the same place. The good part was that influential people saw and heard the art that brimmed over from the Harlem Renaissance and brought it into the mainstream.

This weekend, we were fortunate to be entertained by two artists who actually performed at the Cotton Club in its heyday. Fayard Nicholas, along with his late brother Harold were the awe-inspiring tap dancing Nicholas Brothers, star of stage and screen. Frankie Manning, choreographer for Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, is a perennial favorite in the Lindy Scene. This was a stunning weekend!

You might want to check out these other pages that are related to this event:

• Our 1998 interview with Fayard Nicholas
• Our biography of Frankie Manning
• Last year's Cotton Club, 2002 with Fayard and Bill Eliott
• An economist's view of the 20s The Cost of Things in 1927
• Samuel Insull Villain of the 1920s

The Weekend began with an all-star lineup at Chevy Chase Ballroom. Frankie Manning, Fayard Nicholas, Ryan and Jenny, Natalie and Yuval joined in for the fun. Doc Scanlon's Rhythm Boys, in town from Albany, provided the sounds. It was a great way to start off the weekend!

Fayard and Kathleen
It's her birthday...


Frankie Manning
He led the Shim Sham after this


Ryan and Jennie
and some of the crowd


Natalie and Yuval
with Lilly and Jenny


Debra and Frankie


Angela and Arnold
in the jam


Tom and Jenny
in the jam

The Big Event was a dinner dance on Saturday. Fayard and Frankie each gave a little talk about life at the Cotton Club. Frankie led the Shim Sham and we were treated to special arrangements by Bill Elliott. The lovely Cassie Miller joined Robin Cunningham as guest vocalist. Of course, the Tom Cunningham orchestra did its usual superlative job. All of the Lindy Community looked fantastic in their vintage formal duds. We were especially glad to see Capt. Cameron Sellers home safe and sound from serving our country in Iraq.

Fayard, Karyn and Frank
He is such a great guy!


Karyn and Frankie
He looks great!


Jeanette and Frankie
He danced with everyone!


Cassie Miller
Isn't this dress a knockout?


Robin, Angela, Bill Elliott, Cameron and Cassie Miller
Cassie and Bill came all the way from LA


Leslie, Cameron, Gretta, Debbie
Cameron came all the way from Baghdad


Elise and Mark
Mark plays keyboards for the Fabulettes...


Emily and Tommy
Tommy swings a big axe with Blue Sky Five


Jennifer and Jonathan
Jon is the new president of the Art Deco Society of Washington


Beverly Weinstein
she is just spectacular!


Ron and Bev and a friend
Dr. Ron is the chiropractor to the Lindy trade...


Theresa and Tom
Color Coordinated


Carolyn Koerner
she got a well-deserved break from the kids..


Marie-Helen, Cullen, Susie
we haven't seen them in a while, welcome back!


April and Jerrold
Dr. Jerrold is the dentist to the Lindy trade


Frank and Tony
Gentlemen wore evening clothes to the Cotton Club in the 1920s...


Karyn and Chrissie
Still pumped up from the ADSW Fashion Show



Catherine and David
Looking fine there!


Sue and Gary
resplendent in white


Karyn and Hope
Hope is our official seamstress


Tracy and Hillary
Tracy is recovering from knee surgery