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Black culture had a real influence on dance and other art forms
in the 20th century. After the American civil war a surge of people
from the Caribbean and Deep South migrated into North American
cities. In New York the district of Harlem became home to black
people from different cultural traditions with their own dances
and music. Harlem became the ‘in place’ to be amongst both black
and white New Yorkers – its clubs brought together dance
and music that was alive and exciting. Dances such as the Charleston,
Lindyhop and Jitterbug sprang from these clubs
as did Jazz music. The influence of this
Harlem Renaissance on music and dance in New York in the early 1920s spread into
Europe.
Shuffle Along
The first all black musical on Broadway called Shuffle Along
opened in 1921. This was a smash hit, creating an interest in
black dance in the theatre. The show also developed opportunities
for individual black performers and dancers. In 1923 the Broadway
hit Running Wild came to England and the Charleston became
the dance of the decade.
Josephine Baker
The Revue Nègre in Paris introduced the dancer Josephine
Baker. She became a huge star in Europe but was never as popular
in America (where racial tension continued to marginalise black
dance and dancers). All black musicals disappeared from Broadway
in the 1920s when white musicals started to employ more black
performers and black dance was incorporated into their programme.
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Introduction
Florence Mills
