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Our special guest this year is Norma Miller. She'll perform her nightclub act as our dinner show followed by and evening of music provided by RJ Spangler and his Blues and Swing Gang. Look,Listen and enjoy an evening of comedy, great music and great dancing to do and to watch. |
You missed it! |
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Norma Miller was born in Harlem, New York, in 1919. When the Great Depression began in 1929, Miller and her family moved to a new apartment that faced the Savoy Ballroom. Miller appeared in six films and four television series. Her most well-known film appearance is in the swing dancing scene in the film Hellzapoppin, featuring Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. While working in Miami Beach, Miller took her first stab at comedy. She and Cab Calloway acted out a Romeo and Juliet comedy skit. They stayed in Miami Beach until 1959. Throughout the 50s and 60s, she performed numerous shows included Colored Express, the Count Basie and did shows with Redd Foxx at the Summit. In the sixties, she began working with Redd Foxx at his comedy club and later joined him on the 1970’s television series, Sanford and Son. In February of 1972, Miller agreed to yet another traveling engagement. Only this time, she headed to Vietnam to entertain on a solo comedy tour. She returned from Vietnam in 1974 and continued her comedy tour in America. Later that year, she and long time friend, Redd Foxx co-wrote a book entitled, the Redd Foxx Encyclopedia of Humor. (As posted online, the title of the book is The Redd Foxx Encyclopedia of Black Humor). Miller has written several other books, including Me & John Biffar: A Love Story, Swing, Baby Swing! about the evolution of swing dance in the 21st century. and Swingin at the Savoy: A Memoir of a Jazz Dancer, Miller's autobiography, describes her early life and meetings with the well-known jazz musicians and swing dancers of that time, including Frankie Manning, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. Debbie Allen’s Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992) is based on her recollections and first hand account of the Harlem music and dance scene in the 1930s and 40s. |
| RJ Spangler and his Blues & Swing Gang follow Norma. Full weekend passes are also available which include your choice of all classes, all dances, performance and contest viewing and participation in the contests of your choice. | The Crowne Plaza Detroit Novi is the event hotel. Please call 1-248-348-5000 to make your reservation. Our discounted room rate is $99+tax. Click here to make an online reservation. |
