Willa Mae Ricker: Difference between revisions
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'''Willa Mae Ricker''' (née Briggs; 7 April 1910 - June 1978) was a prominent American [[Lindy Hop]] and [[jazz dance]]r and performer during the 1930s and 1940s with the [[Harlem]]-based [[Whitey's Lindy Hoppers]]. She was known for her physical strength, fashion sense, dependability, business acumen, and passion to dance.<ref name="frankie-partners">{{cite web|url=https://syd.swingpatrol.com/resource/frankie-partners/|title=Frankie and his Partners|last=Wheaton|first=Anthony}}</ref> According to [[Norma Miller]], Ricker was the first dancer to stand up to Herbert "Whitey" White, demanding fair pay. |
'''Willa Mae Ricker''' (née Briggs; 7 April 1910 - June 1978) was a prominent American [[Lindy Hop]] and [[jazz dance]]r and performer during the 1930s and 1940s with the [[Harlem]]-based [[Whitey's Lindy Hoppers]]. She was known for her physical strength, fashion sense, dependability, business acumen, and passion to dance.<ref name="frankie-partners">{{cite web|url=https://syd.swingpatrol.com/resource/frankie-partners/|title=Frankie and his Partners|last=Wheaton|first=Anthony}}</ref> According to [[Norma Miller]], Ricker was the first dancer to stand up to Herbert "Whitey" White, demanding fair pay. |
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Willa Mae Ricker began swing dancing in the Savoy Ballroom with longtime friend Frankie Manning, whom she regularly partnered with.<ref name="frankie-partners"/> Shortly after Herbert "Whitey" White created Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, she was asked to be a part of the second tier of the group, along with Norma Miller, Leon James, Ella Gibson and Snookie Beasley.<ref name="patron-saint">{{cite web|url=https://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/willa-mae-ricker-the-patron-saint-of-respect-for-lindy-hoppers-isdfnoka-3/|title=Willa Mae Ricker, the patron saint of respect for Lindy Hoppers (ISDFNOKA #3)|last=White|first=Bobby|publication-date=2011-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611095437/https://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/willa-mae-ricker-the-patron-saint-of-respect-for-lindy-hoppers-isdfnoka-3/|archive-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> Throughout her career Willa Mae partnered with Frankie Manning, Snookie Beasley, Leon James, Al Minns, Russel Williams and others. Frankie Manning has said "She was one of the greats of Lindy Hop... she was the soul and heart of the dance". He specifically notes her skill in doing all of the aerials, and her physical strength "to hold men up so they could shine". |
Willa Mae Ricker began swing dancing in the Savoy Ballroom with longtime friend Frankie Manning, whom she regularly partnered with.<ref name="frankie-partners"/> Shortly after Herbert "Whitey" White created Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, she was asked to be a part of the second tier of the group, along with Norma Miller, Leon James, Ella Gibson and Snookie Beasley.<ref name="patron-saint">{{cite web|url=https://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/willa-mae-ricker-the-patron-saint-of-respect-for-lindy-hoppers-isdfnoka-3/|title=Willa Mae Ricker, the patron saint of respect for Lindy Hoppers (ISDFNOKA #3)|last=White|first=Bobby|publication-date=2011-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611095437/https://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/willa-mae-ricker-the-patron-saint-of-respect-for-lindy-hoppers-isdfnoka-3/|archive-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> Throughout her career Willa Mae partnered with Frankie Manning, Snookie Beasley, Leon James, Al Minns, Russel Williams and others. Frankie Manning has said "She was one of the greats of Lindy Hop... she was the soul and heart of the dance". He specifically notes her skill in doing all of the aerials, and her physical strength "to hold men up so they could shine".<ref name="savoy-style">{{cite web|url=http://www.savoystyle.com/willamae_ricker.html |title=Willa Mae Ricker|last1=Pritchett|first1=Judy|last2=Manning|first2=Frank}}</ref> |
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In the late 1930s, Willa Mae married her high school sweetheart, and fellow Whitey's Lindy Hopper, Billy Ricker.<ref name="patron-saint"/> The couple rarely danced together professionally and remained together happily for the rest of their lives. |
In the late 1930s, Willa Mae married her high school sweetheart, and fellow Whitey's Lindy Hopper, Billy Ricker.<ref name="patron-saint"/> The couple rarely danced together professionally and remained together happily for the rest of their lives. |
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Over Willa Mae careers she had been featured in many films. She was featured in [[A Day at the Races (film)|A Day at the Races]] ([[1937 in film|1937]]), [[Hellzapoppin' (film)|Hellzapoppin']] ([[1941 in film|1941]]), [[Hot Chocolates]] ([[1941 in film|1941]]), [[ |
Over Willa Mae careers she had been featured in many films. She was featured in [[A Day at the Races (film)|A Day at the Races]] ([[1937 in film|1937]]), [[Hellzapoppin' (film)|Hellzapoppin']] ([[1941 in film|1941]]), [[Hot Chocolates]] ([[1941 in film|1941]]), [[Killer Diller (1948 film)|Killer Diller]] ([[1948 in film|1948]]), and [[The Spirit Moves]] ([[1950 in film|1950]]).<ref name="imdb-filmography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8175613/|title=Willa Mae Ricker|publisher=IMDB}}</ref> In 1943, She and partner [[Leon James (dancer)|Leon James]] were featured in a photo essay in the August 23 issue of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'', demonstrating [[Aerial (dance move)|aerial]]s.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Swing_Dancing/FQjS91tFgh4C | title=Swing Dancing | publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] | date=April 7, 2011 | last=Stevens | first=Tamara | editor1-last=Stevens | editor1-first=Erin | p=110}}</ref> |
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During [[World War II]], Ricker managed the Harlem Congaroos, a sub-group of [[Whitey's Lindy Hoppers]] formed from the premiere dancers. When Frankie Manning returned from the Pacific in 1947, he took over as management and Willa Mae continued dancing in the group, which then became known as the Congaroo Dancers. During one of the groups annual summer-long gigs at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, Willa Mae had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Helen Daniels replaced her in the show until she was able to rebuild her muscle and stamina. |
During [[World War II]], Ricker managed the Harlem Congaroos, a sub-group of [[Whitey's Lindy Hoppers]] formed from the premiere dancers. When Frankie Manning returned from the Pacific in 1947, he took over as management and Willa Mae continued dancing in the group, which then became known as the Congaroo Dancers. During one of the groups annual summer-long gigs at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, Willa Mae had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Helen Daniels replaced her in the show until she was able to rebuild her muscle and stamina.<ref name="savoy-style" /> After the Congaroos broke up in the late fifties, Ricker took on a career as a fashion model. As she had always been a fashionable dancer with a good sense of business, she was able to make her second career in fashion.<ref name="savoy-style" /> |
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| ⚫ | While many sources state that Willa Mae died in the sixties, she actually died in June |
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| ⚫ | While many sources state that Willa Mae died in the sixties, she actually died in June 1978 of cancer.<ref name="patron-saint" /> Willa Mae enjoyed a long and successful career alongside her husband. She never stopped dancing or lost her sweet disposition that made her one of the most beloved of the Lindy Hoppers.<ref name="savoy-style" /> |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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* ''[[Hellzapoppin' (film)|Hellzapoppin']]'' ([[1941 in film|1941]]) |
* ''[[Hellzapoppin' (film)|Hellzapoppin']]'' ([[1941 in film|1941]]) |
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* ''[[Hot Chocolates]]'' ([[1941 in film|1941]]) |
* ''[[Hot Chocolates]]'' ([[1941 in film|1941]]) |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[Killer Diller (1948 film)|Killer Diller]]'' ([[1948 in film|1948]]) |
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* ''[[The Spirit Moves]]'' ([[1950 in film|1950]]) |
* ''[[The Spirit Moves]]'' ([[1950 in film|1950]]) |
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[[Category:American female dancers]] |
[[Category:American female dancers]] |
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[[Category:Lindy Hop]] |
[[Category:Lindy Hop]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American women]] |
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Revision as of 06:08, 14 April 2021
Willa Mae Ricker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Willa Mae Briggs April 7, 1910 |
| Died | June 1, 1978 (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Dancer |
Willa Mae Ricker (née Briggs; 7 April 1910 - June 1978) was a prominent American Lindy Hop and jazz dancer and performer during the 1930s and 1940s with the Harlem-based Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. She was known for her physical strength, fashion sense, dependability, business acumen, and passion to dance.[1] According to Norma Miller, Ricker was the first dancer to stand up to Herbert "Whitey" White, demanding fair pay.
Willa Mae Ricker began swing dancing in the Savoy Ballroom with longtime friend Frankie Manning, whom she regularly partnered with.[1] Shortly after Herbert "Whitey" White created Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, she was asked to be a part of the second tier of the group, along with Norma Miller, Leon James, Ella Gibson and Snookie Beasley.[2] Throughout her career Willa Mae partnered with Frankie Manning, Snookie Beasley, Leon James, Al Minns, Russel Williams and others. Frankie Manning has said "She was one of the greats of Lindy Hop... she was the soul and heart of the dance". He specifically notes her skill in doing all of the aerials, and her physical strength "to hold men up so they could shine".[3]
In the late 1930s, Willa Mae married her high school sweetheart, and fellow Whitey's Lindy Hopper, Billy Ricker.[2] The couple rarely danced together professionally and remained together happily for the rest of their lives.
Over Willa Mae careers she had been featured in many films. She was featured in A Day at the Races (1937), Hellzapoppin' (1941), Hot Chocolates (1941), Killer Diller (1948), and The Spirit Moves (1950).[4] In 1943, She and partner Leon James were featured in a photo essay in the August 23 issue of Life, demonstrating aerials.[5]
During World War II, Ricker managed the Harlem Congaroos, a sub-group of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers formed from the premiere dancers. When Frankie Manning returned from the Pacific in 1947, he took over as management and Willa Mae continued dancing in the group, which then became known as the Congaroo Dancers. During one of the groups annual summer-long gigs at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, Willa Mae had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Helen Daniels replaced her in the show until she was able to rebuild her muscle and stamina.[3] After the Congaroos broke up in the late fifties, Ricker took on a career as a fashion model. As she had always been a fashionable dancer with a good sense of business, she was able to make her second career in fashion.[3]
While many sources state that Willa Mae died in the sixties, she actually died in June 1978 of cancer.[2] Willa Mae enjoyed a long and successful career alongside her husband. She never stopped dancing or lost her sweet disposition that made her one of the most beloved of the Lindy Hoppers.[3]
Filmography
- A Day at the Races (1937)
- Hellzapoppin' (1941)
- Hot Chocolates (1941)
- Killer Diller (1948)
- The Spirit Moves (1950)
References
- ^ a b Wheaton, Anthony. "Frankie and his Partners".
- ^ a b c White, Bobby (2011-04-05). "Willa Mae Ricker, the patron saint of respect for Lindy Hoppers (ISDFNOKA #3)". Archived from the original on 2020-06-11.
- ^ a b c d Pritchett, Judy; Manning, Frank. "Willa Mae Ricker".
- ^ "Willa Mae Ricker". IMDB.
- ^ Stevens, Tamara (April 7, 2011). Stevens, Erin (ed.). Swing Dancing. ABC-CLIO. p. 110.