Music Dancing And the Harlem Renaissance
1920s: Dancing Became a Social Norm As an era of societal and economic change, the Roaring Twenties brought a new culture to the thriving America. Dance became a popular
form
of
expression
when
this
young
generation
abandoned older, more reserved dances like the Cakewalk for the unrestrained rhythm of the Tango and the Charleston.
They
preferred the lively, energetic beats which characterized the Charleston and Black Bottom.
Dancing became an integral
element of parties throughout America as a new form of entertainment and social life.
Waltz and Foxtrot Although both the Waltz and Foxtrot were older dances that distinguished the Ragtime Era, they remained popular nonetheless throughout the 1920s. These ballroom numbers were popularized by Arthur Murray who not only taught dance classes, but also wrote “How To…” books on them. Though formal, the Waltz’s continued popularity is due to the close physical contact involved throughout the dance. Now, women who participated in this dance were no longer restricted by corsets or long petticoats, therefore these ballroom dances took on a more modern twist.
Tango The Tango is perhaps the most scandalous of dances during the 1920s and also one of the most popular during its time. It was first danced throughout South America, but it quickly fasttracked its way to the U.S. Its popularity thrived during this time period as it required partners to dance in a close embrace. It was a very dramatic dance, full of passion and romance.
The Charleston The Charleston truly defined the Roaring Twenties; it was a vivacious and enthusiastic dance that commanded attention. It originated from James P. Johnson’s all-black cast Broadway show called Runnin’ Wild. The dance itself was created by African Americans living in Charleston, South Carolina. The steps are simple, as if the dancer is walking exaggeratedly by kicking their legs back and forth while flinging their arms wildly.
How to Dance The Charleston The most basic step is the kick: 1. Step back with your right foot 2. Kick back with your left foot 3. Step forward with your left foot (back into starting position) 4. Kick forward with your right foot Repeat using arms now: 1. When you step back with your right foot, swing your left arm forward and keep doing the opposite as if exaggeratedly walking 2. Keep elbows at a 90-degree angle and then swing your forearms in a circle, first towards the right and then towards the left. The Charleston can be danced solo or with a partner when hooking arms. It is a much exaggerated, upbeat dance, epitomizing the 1920s.
The Shimmy and the toddle 1920s dances were not organized, calculated steps; rather they were improvised from older dances and changed into a distinguished, new jive. As the dance craze swept throughout America, more and more new dances emerged. Women began to shake their torsos and upper body wildly. This became known as the Shimmy. The Toddle was anther dance made up not out of planned steps, but as an improvisation of Foxtrot. It was first started by college students who abandoned the original dance by keeping similar moves but added hops and “toddling” to every step. Thus began a new fad.
The Black Bottom The Black Bottom was another dance that popularized by movie stars on Broadway. It was introduced in a 1926 production of Dinah. It is a jazz dance that combines movement of the should and hip. Like the Charleston, the Black Bottom was first danced by African Americans in the South, but became popularized by flappers. Dancing the Black Bottom (Goes with a song from the original Broadway Show): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Hop down front then Doodle back, Mooch to your left then Mooch to the right Hands on your hips and do the Mess Around Break a Leg until you’re near the ground Now that’s the Old Black Bottom Dance
***Doodle means to slide; Mooch means to shuffle with both feet moving hips first then feet, Break a Leg is to hobble downwards
New Era, New Fashion, New Dance
1920’s
Jazz
The calming, breezy mood of jazz music is reflective of the social prosperity of the 1920’s. Radio stations and entertainment programs emerged across the country, such as “Fiddlin’ John Carson’s” radio show. Popular radio models of the time were the Victrola and the Radiola Grand. The development of the radio brought the bold, unrestricted feelings created by jazz music into the homes of 1920’s families. At the end of a hard day’s work, listening to jazz music offered a relaxing escape.
At the same time, the jazz scene played an extremely influential part in shaping society. People began to become involved far more in social affairs and events, often involving drugs, alcohol, and excessive dancing and partying. Overall, jazz provided the opportunity for people to loosen up and enjoy themselves.
BROADWAY MARILYN MILLER The 1920’s marked the most active time for Broadway. People came from all over to see performances by actors and dancers like Marilyn Miller. Seats for Broadway musicals at the time cost $3.50 each. Miller starred in the musical, Sally, produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, a well known producer of the time.
Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong, (19011971), was a legendary jazz musician from New Orleans. Following a rough childhood, Louis was asked by his mentor, Joe Oliver, to join his Creole Jazz Band in Chicago in 1921. From there, Louis’s musical career took off, and he became extremely popular in the 1920’s jazz scene. His group, “Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five” are considered one of the best jazz groups of the time. Armstrong was famous for his enthusiastic trumpet playing, and his improvisational scat singing. Some his most notable songs are “I still get jealous”, “Hello Dolly”, and “Big Fat Ma’ and Skinny Pa”. As one of the nation’s first memorable jazz musicians, Louis Armstrong undoubtedly had a great impact upon pop-culture of the 1920’s.
What is the Harlem Renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance began as a literary movement in the 1920’s. However, as the movement gained support it did not limit itself to the realm of literature. The renaissance came to encompass all forms of art, music, politics, and intellectuality. However, the most notable feature of the Harlem Renaissance was composition of its members. The Renaissance was an African American Movement, A movement supporting Black rights, and greatly advancing black culture. From this movement sprung many of the most influential American artists and thinkers such as W.E.B. Dubois and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance became one of
the great artistic movements in history. It was a movement to defend African Americans, to revolt against the American Social System, and to celebrate the African American heritage.
W.E.B. Dubois, one of the great minds of the Renaissance.
Influential
Figures
of the
Garvey, a Jamaican immigrant to
Harlem Renaissance Langston
Hughes
epitomized
the character of the Renaissance. Born in Joplin Missouri on February 1st 1902 Hughes grew up to be one of the most writers
of
the
Harlem
Renaissance and of American history.
was
born
in
Great
Barrington Massachusetts on February 23, 1868. Dubois earned degrees and studied
at
many
colleges
and
universities that were generally not attended by African Americans such as Harvard and The University of Berlin. After his education Dubois became politically active and was a major proponent
for
desegregation.
17th 1887 in St. Anna’s Bay Jamaica. Like Dubois Garvey was politically Improvement association as well as the African Communities League. However, Unlike Dubois, Garvey was a proponent of segregation between Whites and Blacks and he supported emigration back to Africa.
-Duke Ellington Duke Ellington is one of the most
-W.E.B. Dubois Dubois
the United States was born on August
active. He created the Universal Negro
-Langston Hughes
influential
-Marcus Garvey
equal
rights
and
notable jazz musicians of the Harlem Renaissance. Ellington was born on April 29th 1899 in Washington D.C. Ellington gained status playing in New York nightclubs and eventually became the house pianist of the renowned cotton
club.
Today,
Ellington
is
remembered by the extensive and innovative collection of music composed
he
The Poetry of Langston Hughes Jazzonia Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long-headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold Lifts high a dress of silken gold. Oh, singing tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! Were Eve's eyes In the first garden Just a bit too bold? Was Cleopatra gorgeous In a gown of gold? Oh, shining tree! Oh, silver rivers of the soul! In a whirling cabaret Six long-headed jazzers play.
The Negro Speaks Of Rivers I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.