Tap Dance History and Cultural Contexts

Goal: To learn about the evolution and development of tap dance and it’s influence on

American SocietyLearn the dance forms that fused to create tap dance.

Learn about influential figures in tap dance.

Discuss the context of American society that tap dance evolved within and express your opinions of how tap dance influenced our society.

Tap Dance

A polyrhythmic dance form that integrates using the feet to create various sounds.

Fusion of West African and British Isles (soft shoe, jig and reels)

Also performed in early vaudeville but it’s roots date back to a slow progression from 1600’s to 1800’s

Plantation Dances and Influences

African dances would be done by slaves as well as the plantation owners would do the European styles of dance. By watching each other they adopted the two styles.

Slaves would have competitions on plantations and the owners would place bets on the best performers.

1739 a law was passed that slaves were not longer allowed to use drums. This put the percussive focus on using the feet among other things. This was an important shift in the creation of tap dance.

Evolution of Tap

1820’s: Tap dance evolved into a stage dance through these shows

1890’s: After the civil war many minstrel shows were created which added

1900’s Vaudeville evolved into the broadway musical and tap dance was a huge part of that

1930’s Tap Dance being represented in film. Movies are depicting tap dance and musicals. It is very popular

The creation of jazz music and ragtime also influences tap dance by creating a free style that often used improvisation

•1960-70’s Tap dance declined in popularity

1980’s 90’s tap dance festivals began being held nationallyNational Tap dance Day

William Henry Lane“Master Juba”

William Henry Lane “Master Juba”

Learned Irish jig and other dance styles in early 1800’s in the five points section of New York city.

Out of this created his own style that would ultimately become American Tap dance.

Participated and won many minstrel show contests internationally.

One of the first performers that danced in shows with white people. Most shows were still segregated.

Bill Robinson1879-1949

Also one of the first African Americans to perform on Vaudeville then Broadway in New York.

Nicholas Brothers1921-2001

First African American tem to get a contract with MGM film company.

They combined tap with high powered stunts and tricks, jump splits, split-sides etc….

Nicolos Brothers

Fred Astaire

Sammy Davis Jr.

Gregory Hines

Savion Glover