Dancing The Big Apple 1937

This fascinating DVD contains three sections which focus on The Big Apple Dance: History, Instruction, Choreography, all interwoven with great music.

HISTORY
It’s 1937, and the nation is struggling to recover from the Great Depression, complicated by a new recession. Three white teenagers enter an African-American nightclub called The Big Apple in Columbia, South Carolina . They see a strange circle dance performed to popular swing music...

So begins an exciting encounter of cultural traditions that builds to a massive dance craze involving Americans from every walk of life --including the FDR family in the White House. Viewers take a journey back to Africa, through slavery, and into the remarkable account of the Ring Shout ceremony practiced by the African-Americans - sometimes secretly, sometimes openly -- for hundreds of years. With routes tapping deep into history, The Big Apple dance was able to provide just the right medicine in trying times.

INSTRUCTION
Foremost authority Lance Benishek demonstrating a few steps from the popular Big Apple at a Columbia SC workshop, followed by a Big Apple Contest with called steps held after a similar workshop in Omaha, NE.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Big Apple choreography by Frankie Manning from "Keep Punching" featuring Whiteys Lindy Hoppers

MUSIC
George Gee and the Jump, Jivin' Wailers
The Solomon Douglas Swingtet
The McIntosh County Shouters

Time: 40 mins

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Offering an encompassing look at the racial,
cultural, and inspirational effects of a popular
dance, this is highly recommended.
from VIDEO LIBRARIAN

Take a look at the nice review from Video Librarian!



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