Bring The Elders home
A Special Fundraiser From Triangle Swing Dance Society
At Flying Home, we don't just dance — we remember. We honor the people, the places, and the music that gave birth to Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz dance. And this year, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring that history to life in the most personal way possible.
We are raising $5,000 to welcome two extraordinary elders of the Lindy Hop world to Flying Home 2026: David "Butts" Carns and Debra Youngblood.
Who Is David "Butts" Carns?
David's story begins in Harlem in the 1950s, where a young boy's impromptu jazz moves caught the eye of the legendary Mama Lu Parks. Under her mentorship, and later that of George Sullivan, David developed the blend of technical precision and high-energy flair that would define his career.
In 1962, he and his partner Betty Silva won first place at the prestigious Harvest Moon Ball. By 1974, he and partner Lola Love were performing alongside James Brown at a music festival in Zaire — an event captured in the documentary When We Were Kings. As a leader in Mama Lu Parks' troupe, the Parkettes, he carried Lindy Hop to stages around the world.
It was through this world that David's partnership with Debra Youngblood was born — a partnership that would produce some of the most breathtaking Lindy Hop the dance world has ever seen.
Today, David continues to teach, perform, and inspire. His presence at Flying Home is not just an honor — it is a gift to every dancer who walks through our doors.
Who Is Debra Youngblood?
Debra Youngblood's story begins with an act of sheer, extraordinary will.
As a child, Debra was seriously ill — so sick that she was not expected to recover, and doctors feared she would lose her ability to walk. Debra refused that fate. Through determination that would come to define her entire life, she recovered. She learned to walk again. And then — impossibly, beautifully — she learned to fly.
Debra became a celebrated member of Mama Lu Parks' world-famous Harlem-based dance troupe, performing from the 1960s through 1990 with Mama Lu Parks and her Savoy Lindy Hoppers. She led the troupe alongside David "Butts" Carns whenever Mama Lu Parks was not present, becoming known for her tenacious attitude, lightning-quick timing, and fearless execution of air-steps — including the signature move she and David developed together: "Down the Back."
Her Harvest Moon Ball championship was earned, not given. Every inch of it.
Over the course of her career, Debra performed alongside some of the most iconic names in American music: Joe Frazier, Chubby Checker, the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, James Brown, Lionel Hampton, B.B. King, Cab Calloway, and Eddie Durham — among many others. She has never stopped dancing, and she has never stopped giving.
Together, Debra and David dedicated their lives to being torchbearers for the legacy of joy, power, history, and Harlem excellence that is Lindy Hop. Bringing them both to Flying Home 2026 is not just a celebration. It is a homecoming.
Why This Matters
The Triangle in North Carolina has deep jazz roots. Durham was one of the great “Black Wall Streets” during the era when Lindy Hop was born. Jazz giants toured through here. People danced in the very venues we still gather in today. Some of them are still alive, and still dancing.
When we bring elders like David "Butts" Carns and Debra Youngblood to our event, we are doing more than celebrating their legacy. We are closing the circle. We are saying: you matter, your history matters, and we refuse to let it be forgotten.
This is what Triangle Swing Dance Society has always believed: that swing dance is not just a hobby. It is a living tradition, rooted in African American culture, passed from body to body, generation to generation — and it is our responsibility and our joy to keep it alive.
How You Can Help
Every dollar we raise brings us closer to a moment our community will never forget. Here's what your generosity makes possible:
$2,000 — Attendance Guaranteed
At this milestone, we can confirm that both David "Butts" Carns and Debra Youngblood will be at Flying Home 2026. Their presence at our event becomes real.
$3,000 — Travel & Meals Covered
At this milestone, we can fully cover transportation and meals for both elders — ensuring they arrive well, are cared for throughout the weekend, and leave knowing they were truly welcomed.
$5,000 — A Legacy Beyond 2026
Reaching our full goal means more than this year. It builds the foundation for us to welcome elders to Flying Home year after year, making the elders' presence a lasting tradition, not a one-time dream.
Whether you can give $10 or $500, you are part of making this happen. Every dollar moves the needle. Every share spreads the word.
Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up. And we'll see you on the dance floor!