Ziggedy bop! Tap dance is back on its feet

It's been a mainstay of stage and screen; now after years in revival, a truly American art form returns full force, with energy and innovation

  • By Chiori Santiago
  • Smithsonian magazine, May 1997

Article Tools

  • Font
    		•  Share/Save/Bookmark Share
  • Email
    		•
  • Print
    		•  Digg Digg
  • Comments
    		•  StumbleUpon StumbleUpon
  • RSS
    		•  Reddit Reddit

    Tap dancing, a truly American art form, is once again rat-a-tatting into the nation's consciousness, in all its variations — from Fred Astaire grace to hip-hop antics. Savion Glover, the star and choreographer of Broadway's award-winning Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, is the latest messiah of a form that's loose-limbed, individual and inspired by the syncopated beat of urban life.

    The origins of tap dance can be traced to the antebellum South when African-American slaves, adept at copying Irish jigs, Virginia reels and Lancashire clogging, improvised and embellished those dances with their own African-style rhythms and movements. Popular on the vaudeville circuit and even more so in 1920s and '30s movies and theater, tap dance entered a long dormancy in the '50s and '60s, partly as a result of the black pride movement.

    In the past two decades, a few Broadway shows and movies, devotees, such as Gregory Hines, and dedicated dance teachers have worked hard to revive the art form. Now, with the innovative Bring in 'Da Noise, tap dance is once again making itself heard loud and clear and enjoying a new level of popularity.

    Tap dancing, a truly American art form, is once again rat-a-tatting into the nation's consciousness, in all its variations — from Fred Astaire grace to hip-hop antics. Savion Glover, the star and choreographer of Broadway's award-winning Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, is the latest messiah of a form that's loose-limbed, individual and inspired by the syncopated beat of urban life.

    The origins of tap dance can be traced to the antebellum South when African-American slaves, adept at copying Irish jigs, Virginia reels and Lancashire clogging, improvised and embellished those dances with their own African-style rhythms and movements. Popular on the vaudeville circuit and even more so in 1920s and '30s movies and theater, tap dance entered a long dormancy in the '50s and '60s, partly as a result of the black pride movement.

    In the past two decades, a few Broadway shows and movies, devotees, such as Gregory Hines, and dedicated dance teachers have worked hard to revive the art form. Now, with the innovative Bring in 'Da Noise, tap dance is once again making itself heard loud and clear and enjoying a new level of popularity.

     
    Comments

    Post a Comment


    Name: (required)

    Email: (required)

    Comment:

    Comments are moderated, and will not appear until Smithsonian.com has approved them. Smithsonian reserves the right not to post any comments that are unlawful, threatening, offensive, defamatory, invasive of a person's privacy, inappropriate, confidential or proprietary, political messages, product endorsements, or other content that might otherwise violate any laws or policies.



    Advertisement


    - - - Advertisements - - -


    Heritage Month

    Women's History Month

    Explore how powerful women have shaped American history, from our first ladies to our Navy cadets to acclaimed artists and writers.

    Join Us

    Facebook

    Facebook

    Become a fan of Smithsonian magazine's official Facebook page!

    Twitter

    Follow Smithsonian magazine on Twitter

    Smithsonian magazine presents

    Vote for the 7th Contest People's Choice Award

    Check out the 50 shots our editors named finalists and help pick a winner