Roddy Caravella is teaching Swing and Lindy Hop Lessons in Brooklyn! To sign up, see the class schedule, or get more information visit the class information page.
Brooklyn born Roddy Caravella is Charleston Charlie. He has been teaching and performing social jazz dances for the past 20 years. Trained under world-renowned dance greats, such as Frankie Manning and Sandra Cameron, Roddy is a choreographer who specializes in many early jazz dances. Known not just for the historical authenticity of his dancing, Roddy has a reputation for meticulous attention to accurate period attire. Mr. Caravella and his ensemble, The Canarsie Wobblers, regularly perform dances of the 1920′s with Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra. In fact, the group was born at the inception of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island. Roddy is also a member of the Lindy Hopper All-Stars.
Mr. Caravella’s dance career has brought him all over the United States and abroad where he has performed in TV specials with Tony Bennett, three seasons of a stage tour with Swing Dance America, the show Swing on Ice in Hong Kong, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, a PBS Veteran’s Day special aboard the USS Intrepid, Sleigh Bells Swing on Broadway at the Edison Ballroom with the George Gee Orchestra, and the presidential inaugural show Let Freedom Swing at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Caravella was raised in Bensonhurst. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife, milliner Gretchen Fenston, and is an avid collector of vintage cars.
For more information on Roddy, check back for updates or visit him on facebook.
What's Roddy up to? // Check back for details on where Roddy will pop up next!
It’s almost time for the bi-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island; Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th from 11am to 5pm.
Come see Roddy perform with the Canarsie Wobblers then learn some dance moves from the maestro himself.
For more information about tickets, performances, and all the other great offerings at the Jazz Age Lawn Party, click here.
See Roddy in Action!
Roddy & Gretchen
Jazz Age Lawn Party
Roddy & Gretchen
The Canarsie Wobblers
Roddy Caravella
Sailor’s Salute
The Canarsie Wobblers
The Canarsie Wobblers
Vintage Automobiles
The Canarsie Wobblers
The Canarsie Wobblers
Midsummer Night’s Swing
The Canarsie Wobblers
Jazz Age Lawn Party
Smithsonian Magazine