Willa Mae Ricker
Willa Mae Ricker (née Briggs; 7 April 1910 - June 1978) was a prominent American Lindy Hop and jazz dancer and a performer during the 1930s and 1940s with the Harlem-based Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. Ricker was known for her fashion sense, dependability and business acumen.
Willa Mae Ricker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Willa Mae Briggs April 7, 1910 |
| Died | June 1, 1978 (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Dancer |
She and partner Leon James were featured in a photo essay in the August 23, 1943 issue of Life, demonstrating aerials.[1]
During World War II, Ricker managed the Harlem Congaroos, a sub-group of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers formed from the premiere dancers. According to Norma Miller, Ricker was the first dancer to stand up to Herbert "Whitey" White, demanding fair pay.
Filmography
- A Day at the Races (1937)
- Hellzapoppin' (1941)
- Hot Chocolates (1941)
- Killer Diller (1948)
- The Spirit Moves (1950)
gollark: XENOWYRMS DESERVE RESPECT!
gollark: STOP KILLING STUFF
gollark: I'd be amazed if *anyone* had several golds on hand.
gollark: None of them are spherical.
gollark: I think they probably mean `2-3 CB Golds and a CB Silver`.
External links
References
- Swing Dancing. ABC-CLIO. April 7, 2011.
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