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Jerry Joris Lindsay
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Maxine "Jerry" (Lewis) Joris Lindsay was well known to the folk dance communities in Chicago, Illinois, and Westport, Connecticut. Vyts Beliajus called her "the loveable 'bundle of energy' among folk dance teachers in past pioneering years," and featured her on the covers of several early issues of his VILTIS folklore magazine. Vyts went on to say, "Jerry and her sister Charlotte Chen, who now lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, and a few other alumni of the University of Chicago, organized the folk dance group at the International House of the University of Chicago and invited me to teach international folk dancing during the mid-1930's. This proved to be the first location where international folk dancing on a regular schedule was taught as a recreational activity and open to whoever so wanted. Jerry and Charlotte (The Lewis Sisters) were like sisters to me and looked after my needs during the years of my severe and near-fatal ailments. My debt to them is incalculable."
Jerry taught at many venues on the east coast and was for many years an instructor and leader at the Lighted Lantern Folk Dance Camp a'top Lookout Mountain above Golden, Colorado.
Jerry's repertoire included a wide range of international folk and novelty dances. She traveled extensively, including trips to the British Isles and a number of European countries.
Her able, pleasant manner of teaching was always genuine and effective and Vyts said of her, "She was a delightful folk dance teacher with a terrific sense of humor." Jerry died as the result of a massive stroke on May 3, 1986, in Westport, Connnecticut, at the age of 75.
Dances Jerry taught include 12th Street Rag, Aetana, Alley Cat, Atlantic Mixer, At Va'ani, Axum Reel, Le Bal de Jugon, Ba-O, Baldeneyer, The Bishop, La Boulangere, Bufčansko, Čačak, Čačansko Kokonješte, Circle Hopak, Cotton-Eyed Joe (Texas Style), La Danza de la Pluma, D'Hammerschmiedgsg'selln, Dura, El Escondido, El Ginat Egoz, The Fine Companion, Fjäskern, Garcon Volage, Godečki Čačak, Gosti Vikaja, Haroa Haktana, Hava Netze B'Mahol, Heeia, Helena Polka, Horehronsky Čardáš, Iti Milvanon, Jandals, Jovano Jovanke, Karagouna, Kostursko Oro, Lech Lamidbar, Ma Navu, Mascando Chiquete, Masquerade, Mexican Waltz Mixer, Nad I Lan, Niguno Shel Yossi, Nonesuch, Oiga Ja Va Semba, Polka Wengierka, Ravno Oro, Retčenko, Roberts Mixer, Robertson's Rant, Šetnja, Sharm-A-Sheikh, Sjampa Dance, Shrewsbury Lasses, Siamsa Beirte, Snoopy, Syrtaki, Syrto, Šuštrarska, Tant' Hessie, Tarantella di Peppina, Tsamikos, Tsamikos from Epirus, Tzadik Katamaar, U Šest, Vayiven Uziyahu, Veleta Waltz, and Žabarka.