CSDHOF Special Achievement honors are awarded to individuals who have substantially contributed to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame and/or Swing Dance in California. If you have been Swing dancing in Southern California for any length of time, then you have come across the energy filled swing dance influencer that is Joanne Harrold. The LA Swing Dance Club listed her as an“Ambassadors-at-Large”. That description is an understatement. As a child, Joanne trained as an ice skater, and she continued to compete, she says, “because it makes me better. Because I have a goal. And if you don’t have a goal it’s very easy to say, ‘Oh well, I don’tneed to practice.’ My view of everything is you either get better oryou get worse.”And if you don’t know Joanne, she possesses a secret weapon, daring! Now at 77 years, Joanne is still one of the most ardent spiritedsupporters of Swing dancing in any form. For years, with unending enthusiasm, she has been that dancer in the community actively inviting people to learn to dance, meet to dance, sweet-talking, persuading, and even cajoling them to come and try a new or old dance place. Her enthusiasm for dancing and flying – as she calls the gymnasticstunts – have become a raison d’être. They made her giddy; they gave her joy.When Joanne was a little kid, she wanted to run away to the circus and be on the trapeze,” she says. “This is the closest thing to flying. It’s a different perspective to know you can turn your body upside down. There’s a freedom of movement up in the air. ”With her dance partners, Joanne at, 4 feet 9 ½ inches short, with size 4 ½ size dance shoes was always known for doing daring aerial movessuch as flying in the air in a forward flip, also known as “head crep”or going over backward, in a pike position. A move taken from takenfrom the 1941 film “Hellzapoppin.’”When she isn’t flying and dancing at least five times a week, she has another life. Joanne is a criminal defense attorney. However, as a defense lawyer, she needed a diversion to recharge from her cases. She says, “I work in a world of sadness,” “I dance in a world of joy.” And often reiterated that “Social swing dancing is the best kept secret in Southern California.” and the “The best thing about swing is that ageis not a restriction,” and that dancing for her is a total release. That release started when she took dance lessons in public school.Then later, to relax, she and her husband started dancing socially.The marriage ended, but the dancing continued. She began competing at the urging of a boyfriend. That relationship also bit the dust, but Harrold then found a new partner. She has competed at many swing events including the U.S. Open with numerous partners. Including Jim Jackson, John Woodruff, Mike Daniele, Dennis Crawford, Darren Gates and Mikey Pedroza. And when preparing for contests, Harrold and her partners would often practice four or five times a week.
In 2005, Harrold and Woodruff took first place in the Masters Divisionat the American Lindy Hop Championships in Connecticut. The crowd hollered encouragement during the performance and gave them a standing ovation.John Woodruff said. “The real connection is that we’re both focused, and we’re determined, and we both work very hard. Plus, we both love dancing and we both want to entertain. She and her partners have been coached by Buddy Schwimmer, and occasionally worked out with Lindy Hop performer Kerry Ward, her “flying coach.” As the aerials, are part of what makes Harrold and her partners unique. “First of all, you won’t find couples in their category who do the lifts they do. And she’s willing to do anything as long as you put it in a way that won’t hurt her.” There have been some injuries, though.Joanne has had broken wrists, a torn rotator cuff and some other injuries. But she’s daring, never afraid, and she’d never give it up. When she was in her 60s, she said “Right now, I can do things that alot of the younger kids are not even doing. A time will come when I can’t do that anymore. My body will say, ‘OK,’” – she switches to a high squeaky voice – “‘That’s it, you’ve had it.’ So, I want to do it now. Because I can. “My grandchildren love it. The first time Tanya saw me, she said,‘Grandmas aren’t supposed to be flying through air. They’re supposed to be sitting at home knitting. What are you doing flying through the air? ’”She revels in her good fortune: Back in 2005 she told a reporter “I mean, how cool is it that a 62-year-old woman can go out and fly like this? I mean, is that cool? That’s cool! Right?”Joanne says she has a simple rule: “Have Fun”! It is a rule she lives by, and shares with others unselfishly. So, if Special Achievement honors are awarded to individuals who have substantially contributed to the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame and/or Swing Dance inCalifornia, then Joanne has proven herself beyond worthy. Because everywhere she goes, and with everyone she meets, she has fun, dances, and encourages the world around her to do just that! We need more Joanne’s in our swing world.