The Harlem Renaissance
Styles of Dance
By Jarvis McCall
Dance On!
The Harelm Renaissance
The district of Harlem was the power source for dance and music. Movement in this city was inevitable and quite often the only relief from struggles that they still could not escape from.
Styles
THE LINDY HOP
-A very structured dance named after the pilot Charles Lindburgh. It includes an 8-count pulse and is more fluid than other dances of this time.
THE SHIMMY
-Originating from the Nigerian dance the "Shika", the Shimmy incorporates the same amount of shimmy and shake but with the added flavor of hip and shoulder shaking.
THE CAKEWALK
-It's heritage can be found on Florida slave plantations where slaves would imitate the walk of Seminole Indians. Slave owners would have slaves compete in dance competitions for a slice of cake. It was revived during the Harlem Renaissance.
6
THE DANCERS
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was introduced to the world as a talented dancer by The Revue Nègre in Paris. Unfortunately, because Harlem was still a difficult place to break through in terms of arts, she was much more popular in Europe than America. She toured the United States with The Jones Family Band and The Dixie Steppers.
Florence Mills
Florence Mills was a breakthrough performer in the Broadway musical called Shuffle Along, which became an inspiration for tap dancing. She was known for both her dancing and her singing. She performed in the musical Blackbirds where the song "I'm a little blackbird looking for a bluebird" became what she was known for.
Buddy Bradley
Buddy Bradley was a very influential and powerful dancer who staged dancers for talented dancers including George White, Earl Carroll, and Eleanor Powell. He worked with many musical shows and films in the 1930's. He went on to own a studio where he choreographed classical and modern dance performances.