We can’t begin to thank everyone enough for all of the energy, love and support that came together to make FTW 2012 such an incredible success. Frankie Manning’s spirit was definitely with us in Toronto this weekend!!!

We’re still tallying the final fundraising totals for the weekend but we’re ecstatic to have raised over $5000 for the Frankie Manning Foundation. Exact totals coming very soon! Please click here for more information about the Foundation and you can learn more about how the Foundation is alloting some of those funds in 2012 here. 

Amazing special thanks to our special guests for the weekend who helped to make this so incredibly special. Norma Miller, the Queen of Swing, truly honoured us with her presence this weekend with her inspiring and memorable talk and book signing. Gordon Webster and guest vocalist Naomi Uyama brought the house down with incredible music on Friday and Saturday nights and both Gordon and Naomi also graced us with excellent Saturday workshops. And it was an absolute pleasure to have Judy Pritchett join us to celebrate Frankie’a legacy and to share the origin’s of the Big Apple with us on Sunday evening.

Thank you also to the great trio who joined us for the Sunday brunch and dance and to Combo Royale who played on Sunday evening.

And of course thank you to all of the volunteers who helped run so well. So much work went into the various aspects of this event and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. THANK YOU!

Please mark your calendars for May 24, 25, 26 2013 for next year’s celebration of Frankie’s 99th birthday!

Sincerely,

Mandi & Chachi