Josephine Baker Influence On African American Dance

Until the middle of the 1950’s “Jazz dance” was more commonly referred to as tap dance due to tap being performed to jazz music.

Alvin Ailey was a prevalent modern dance choreographer in the 20th century known for breaking down the racial barriers within dance. Born in Rodgers, Texas and growing up around the era of social rebellion and the fight for reconstruction of cultural stereotypes, Alvin Ailey’s company played an important role in the civil rights movement. Founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in December 1958, Ailey brought the vision of greater racial equality and used his modern dance as a platform for both his personal and cultural expression. Through the medium of dance, Alvin Ailey emerged African American aesthetic, fostered awareness for the need of multi-racial modern dance, and pioneered dance as a political and social movement.

The 1920s were filled with many fast-paced and energetic dances. First off in the novel, it says “Daisy and Gatsby danced. I remember… never seen him dance before.” (Fitzgerald 112) This is one dance shown during the 1920s; other famous dances include The Charleston and The Lindy Hop. The Charleston was a very popular dance of the 1920s, danced by both young men and women of that generation(Rosenburg). In her article, Rosenberg states “The Charleston dance became very popular after appearing along with the song, “The Charleston,” by James P. Johnson in the Broadway musical Runnin’ Wild in 1923. The dance was very popular but wasn’t appropriate to all. Originally, the Charleston was considered scandalous because of its free-swinging arms, legs

During this unit we have read many short stories about Utopian societies and living with alternative identities. A Utopian Society is where everything runs smoothly and ]lawful while governed Carefully and equally. It is not possible to achieve a Utopian society in which every citizen is equal because Not everyone is a law abiding Citizen. So order can never be maintained.

Have you ever dreamed of the future when you are young? Have you ever had a dream job that you really want to do? Sometime, all of those dreams just disappear when you grow up. Those things that you could do when you were young but it is weird to do right now. The reason that you think it is weird is because people tell you, isn’t it? Even though some of them don’t even have a reason not to do. Why do you have to listen to those people? Why you can’t be unique and be yourself? And there are some people that want to tell you that you don’t always have to follow the rules that people created by themselves, too. Luis Rodriguez and William Carlos Williams are trying to communicate with you through these unique poems. Tia Chucha and

In 1971, Alvin Ailey choreographed Cry, a three part work solo dance set to gospel music that describes an emotional journey filled with struggle, hardships, defeat, survival and joy. It was intended as a birthday present to Alvin’s mother and a dedication to all black women everywhere. The first part of the dance is the struggle of trying to maintain pride irrespective of the opposition faced from outside. The second part reveals the sorrow within after the woman’s pride has been shattered into pieces and finally the third part is a spirited celebration of finding strength and joy in God. Even though cry was dedicated to only black women, i argue the notion that all women both black and white of the nineteenth century could relate

Over the course of many years, African Americans have influenced communities in many ways. African Americans have been used as slaves and segregated. After overcoming these struggles, they later were granted freedoms and rights. Many African American individuals have overcome these hard times and worked hard to achieve their dreams. Misty Copeland, Patricia Bath, and Madam C.J. Walker are courageous African-American women who have overcome racial stereotypes because of their determination to pursue what they love; Misty Copeland’s determination led her to pursue dance, and Patricia Bath and Madam C.J. Walker were strong, African American entrepreneurs.

​Breaking news for the first time ever women have the ability to vote! This is a huge step for women 's equality throughout the world. After much fighting and arguing for rights, women have come a long way and are very proud of their achievements. After years and years of battling the men who lead the government, the 19th amendment has been ratified. This now, guarantees all women the right to vote in America.Although women will probably never be completely equal to men in this world this is a huge leap for womankind. Women throughout the States are celebrating this great achievement.Some delegates have mocked women and have continued to believe that men should be the only ones allowed to vote and participate in government. This has only upset women more and has made the more powerful and passionate on the subject.

The ghost dance video is a short forty eight second video, which features Native American men performing the Ghost dance. The video quality is poor, but it shows the authenticity of the video since it’s from a time where the quality was very poor. The video was black and white, and at some points it’s hard to see the individuals while they’re dancing. The men are dressed in feathered headdresses. They were wearing moccasins on their feet. The dancers were wearing some sort of animal skin as clothing on their lower body. They also had some bells attached to their calf’s to provide extra sound to the dance. They danced very passionately, and with great enthusiasm. The dance is enjoyable to watch.

His praise was earned through his activism which managed to uplift modern dance to a popular stance, transforming the world of ballet. (6) Ailey said “The cultural heritage of the American Negro is one of America’s richest treasures. From his roots as a slave, the American Negro- sometimes sorrowing, sometimes jubilant but always hopeful- has touched, illuminated, and influenced the most remote preserves of world civilisation. I and my dance theatre celebrate this trembling beauty.” (10) The experience of growing up as an African American seemed to have both hurt and helped him. No other choreographer of African-American decent in his time could be even slightly comparable to Ailey’s success. The style of ballet and modern dance were predominately domain to white choreographers and performers. Even today, to some extent, they still are. Ailey was one of the first to modify the norm by inspiring multiethnic dance opportunities.(11) Ailey’s goal as a choreographer was not only to place emphasis on black culture, but moreover to completely remove the idea of colour itself.

I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people”. (Google.com) Alvin Ailey was born in Texas in 1931 to Alvina and Elizabeth Ailey. He was an only child, his father (a laborer) left him and his mom when Alvin was only one year old. Five years later Elizabeth and her son move too Navasota, Texas they were staying in Rogers. At this time there was a lot of segregation with the white and blacks only signs. So there was a “black” church and a “white” school at the top of the hill where him and his mother lived. Ailey once said “ Like most of my generation, I grew up feeling like an outsider, like someone who didn’t matter”. (Notable Biographies Page 1) In 1942 the two of them moved to Los Angeles, California and his mother found work in a aircraft factory. Ailey was interested in sports and athletics and he joined his high school gymnastic team and also played football. His interest for dance began with tap dance in his neighbor 's home, soon then after he was taken to a modern dance school ran by Lester Horton. Horton’s company was the first to admit dancers of all races. After Ailey graduated from high school he was considering being a teacher so he went to University of California in LA to study languages. Lester Horton offered him scholarship in 1949 and he came back but then left one year later to attend San Francisco State

Most African American songs can be best represented as when all the Africans would get together, and make songs that made them happy, and the audience would be able to sing along or dance to the beat. African American musical traditions represented in early spiritual practices were viewed in a good way because before singing the leader would sing a line and the others would follow and repeat the leader. Or they would also use the call- and response technique. Although, many of the European Americans liked the music from the African Americans some of them were threatened by it or opposed it, they decided or come up with new ideas for music of their own. When there was a performance happening there would be hand-clapping, yelling, dancing, and singing, people would start joining into the music. Over the years many of the African Americans music was either forgotten or was looked over with other musical traditions .When the slaves were going through harsh time they would turn to music to relive the pain they were going through and most of the

“Don’t dance for the audience; dance for yourself.” Bob Fosse is the man responsible for single-handedly changing the world of jazz dance. Through his use of adult humor, dark stories, and jazz hands, his style has influenced many aspects of life. Whether it is in the music one listens to, choreography one learns, or even musicals one watches, it is clear to see that Fosse has changed the world with his legendary dancing.

My pioneer of dance is Josephine Baker. A african american women who was an amazing dancer, civil rights activist, and singer. Up until her death in 1975. Josephine was born on june 3rd,1906 in st.louis missouri. And now has a tv show about her life. So Brian Gibson's made-for-cable biography of the famed singer Josephine Baker stars Lynn Whitfield as the black American who found stardom and scandal as the toast of the Paris night-life during the 1920s and '30s.today i will be telling you about all of her accomplishments and the journey of her life.

The 24th Annual Sacramento/Black Art of Dance occurred on February 18th-28th, 2016 at the California State University of Sacramento at Solano Hall 1010, home to many of Sacramento State 's Department of Theatre & Dance performances. Sacramento/Black Art of Dance is a modern dance company that follows the footsteps of Katherine Dunham. S/BAD not only carries on the tradition of Black Concert dance in America, but also explores the movement culture of the African and African-American diaspora in the concepts of modern dance. Ancestral Voices, which directed mainly by Linda Goodrich, presented by S/BAD in its 24th year of presenting dance to pay homage to ancestors who have come before us through the language of dance. The concert had two acts