Pictured above is the sign at the Savoy.
Pictured above are some of "Whitey's Lindy hoppers."
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The Savoy Ballroom offered an integrated space for both black and white performers and audiences to gather and interact, outside of the racial divide that existed outside of its doors. The Savoy was more than just a club, it was an idea, a movement that opened America's mind to an integrated society, and shaped the course of the arts. Because of the Savoy and other clubs from the Roaring 20's, modern music is deeply influenced by jazz, swing, and blues music. Lindy hop, a dance style popularized at the Savoy, was the beginning of many swing dance styles, which continue to influence today's dance styles. The Savoy was revolutionary because of its ability to facilitate a mutually beneficial environment for both whites and blacks, a peaceful compromise to their typically divided daily lives..
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