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Dancing in America
When the slave trade started, communities of Africans were brought to the united states. Tribal dances remained but were not done often because of the slave trade. -
Starting to Change
In the 1700's, slaves started influencing their dances with different colonies such as the French, Dutch and British. -
Minstrel Shows
Minstrel shows are mocking these African traditions. Founded in the earl 1800's Minstrel shows are basically white men musicians that would paint their faces black and imitate the singing and dancing of slaves. -
The Creole Show
For a long time after the civil war, African entertainers were forced to play demeaning parts in minstrel shows, up until the Creole Show came along. This show features and all African cast and showcased a different view of African's in a dignified way. -
All Black Broadway
Shuffle Along was the first successful, all black cast musical to be shown on Broadway. Mostly because of the high spirited dancers that were performing, the show was an overnight success. Beginning many black actors careers like Paul Robeson. -
Buddy Bradley
Buddy Bradley was a major force in the musical industry between the 1930's and the 1940's. in the 30's he left New York and started teaching in London, there he went on to work with Frederick Ashton on a Ballet High Yellow. Teaching ballet and modern contemporary to African dancers. -
Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker was an African American singer who had a natural gift for imitation who appeared on the hit TV show back then, "The Dick Clark Show". He signed a record label with Cameo-Parkway Records in 1959 and was encouraged to do his own version of originally Hank Ballard's song "The Twist". The way Checker had sung it and his dance moves that went along with it ended up nicknaming him "The King of Twist". In fact it was Dick Clark's wife who came up with the name Checker. -
To the Streets
Street-dancing, break dancing, hip hop and many other forms, are close to what traditional African dancing used to be. Hip hop dancing is typically done to rap songs and given that rap is often a story the dance performed tells the story just like traditional African dancing in the 1600's. -
Now
In new times African dancing is still very popular and has developed over so many years into hundreds of different styles, from traditional to energetic to contemporary to hip hop, these styles are always changing but will always contain the qualities of traditional African dancing.
