Bring Living Legends to Flying Home 2026

A fundraiser by Triangle Swing Dance Society

Some dancers carry history in their bodies. David "Butts" Carns and Debra Youngblood carry decades of it — together.

This year, Triangle Swing Dance Society wants to bring them both to Flying Home 2026 — so our community can dance alongside them, learn from them, and honor them as the living roots of this art form.

David learned Lindy Hop in Harlem in the 1950s under the legendary Mama Lu Parks, guided by Savoy Ballroom veterans like George Sullivan and Delma "Big Nick" Nicholson. He won the Harvest Moon Ball in 1962, danced alongside James Brown in Zaire in 1974, and has spent his entire life sharing the joy and legacy of swing dance. Click here to learn more!

Debra Youngblood's story is one of the most remarkable in all of Lindy Hop. As a child, she was so seriously ill she wasn't expected to recover or walk again. She didn't just recover — she went on to become a Harvest Moon Ball champion, a star of Mama Lu Parks' world-famous Savoy Lindy Hoppers, and one of the most electrifying air-step dancers of her generation. She has shared stages with James Brown, Lionel Hampton, B.B. King, Cab Calloway, Chubby Checker, and many more.

Together, Debra and David co-led the Mama Lu Parks Dance Troupe, developing their iconic signature move — "Down the Back" — and dedicating their lives to carrying the torch of Harlem excellence and Lindy Hop history.

We need $5,000 to make it happen. Here's exactly what each milestone means:

What Your Donation Unlocks

🎯 $2,000 — Attendance Confirmed

Both David "Butts" Carns and Debra Sternberg are confirmed for Flying Home 2026. This is the moment it becomes real.

🎯 $3,000 — Travel & Meals Fully Covered

We can cover all transportation and meals for both elders, helping us celebrate their legacies in a way that is sustainable for our organization.

🎯 $5,000 — A Tradition, Not Just a Moment

Reaching our full goal lets us build an elder presence program that extends beyond 2026 — so that welcoming the people who built this art form becomes a permanent part of what Flying Home is.

100% of funds raised go directly toward honoring our elders and any additional funds will go towards next year’s elder fund!

Why We Do This

Triangle Swing Dance Society has been bringing swing dance and live swing music to the Triangle region of North Carolina since 1992. We believe that swing dance belongs to everyone — and that the people who created it, nurtured it, and shared it with the world deserve to be celebrated.

Flying Home is our annual flagship event, dedicated to the best music, the best instruction, and the honoring of the African American roots of Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz dance.

Bringing elders to our event is not a side project. It is the heart of who we are.

Join Us

Whether you can give $5 or $500, your contribution matters. Every donation is a vote for a world where history is honored, where elders are celebrated, and where the dance floor is a place of joy, connection, and memory.

Help us bring them home. 💛

Share this page with your dance community, your friends, your family. The more people who know about this campaign, the closer we get to our goal.

Thank you — from all of us at TSDS. 🎶

Flying Home 2026 - Bring the Elders Home