HISTORY OF THE PHILLY BOP

THE HISTORY OF THE PHILLY BOP

The Philly Bop is a smooth version of the Lindy Hop / Jitterbug / East Coast Swing, which are all dances that can be traced back to the 1920s.

The 6-count (double step, double step, rock step) is the basic Jitterbug / East Coast Swing dance pattern. In the 50's, Philadelphia African Americans

created their own version of the dance and called it The Philly Bop. This dance consists of the same 6-count steps, but the foot movement differs

(double step, double step, step-step). When Philadelphia African-Americans were able to appear on “American Bandstand,” at 46th and Market,

they showcased the Philly Bop -- the "smoothed out Jitterbug / East Coast Swing." This 6-count dance has gliding footwork and continuous hand

connections between the partners. Music for The Philly Bop includes the Motown sound (Temptations, Marvin Gaye, etc.) as well as smooth jazz & blues.

The Bop is the "OFFICIAL DANCE OF PHILLY."

Bop Demo #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPTq1Jg6sfQ

Bop Demo #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=insbDZgYcaE

Bop Demo #3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayOssVxWobY

Soul Line Dancing is the smooth version of Country / Western Line Dancing. This is another story……….

Bopologist: one who instructs the smooth 6-count Philly Bop.

Bopology: the study of the smooth 6-count Philly Bop.

Council of the City of Philadelphia

Office of the Chief Clerk

Room 402, City Hall

Philadelphia

(Resolution No. 030265)

RESOLUTION

Proclaiming the “Bop” as the Official Dance of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a rich history and tradition of dance that stretches

from dance halls to living rooms throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, While the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection has a strong

influence on the culture of dance it has yet to name an official dance; and

WHEREAS, The “Bop” is one dance that has had an influence on every

neighborhood of our great City; and

WHEREAS, Back in the day, and still today for that matter, you could tell what

section of Philadelphia a dancer was from because of their style of the “Bop”; and

WHEREAS, While the “Bop” is mainly six (6) counts with a hip-twisting, body

swaying, double rhythm style, there are different versions from North Philadelphia, South

Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and versions that represent all areas of the City; and

WHEREAS, A number of famous songs are associated with the dance including:

“Bop Till You Drop”, “Be-Bop-A-Lula” “Boppin’ Shoes” “Boppin’ and Moppin’” and

the “Be Bop Boogie”; and

WHEREAS, Given the strong historical connection to Philadelphia and its’

residents, from working class folks to business people that know and love to “Bop”, the

time has come to name the “Bop” as the Official Dance of Philadelphia, now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That

we hereby proclaim the “Bop” as the Official Dance of Philadelphia.

OLDIES IN PHILLY

"BOP-2-3-4-5-6 / TURN-2-3-4-5-6 / BOP-2-3-4-BACK-STEP"