The Charleston: Rooted in Blackness and Intrigue
Posted: Tuesday, February 05, 2008
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
Ah yes, the Charleston, the dance where women shimmy, men swing their arms and everyone has a great time. So roll up the rug, shake a leg and take a stroll down Dance Boulevard, Black History Style.
*Katherine Hewitt-Clarke speaks blissfully of the surprise she received, upon discovering that the Charleston; a dance associated with the Roaring Twenties has African-American roots. "I was really amazed," says Hewitt-Clarke, a veteran dancer who has been spinning and twirling since 1967. "When you think of the Charleston, the three symbols that comes to mind are flappers and speakeasys followed by the 1920s. And since the three go hand-in-hand, I just assumed it was a dance created by Caucasians." Not surprisingly, that opinion is shared by many Americans who are unaware of the dance's origin.
In his book, "Trippin The Light Fantastic," McClurkin writes: "The Charleston, formally debuted, in a performance of The Ziegfield Follies at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Ned Wayburn was the choreographer, and the Black song writing team of Sissle and Blake, (songwriter Noble Sissle and ragtime composer Eubie Blake) introduced a young Black boy to Wayburn, who in turn demonstrated what was to be the signature step of the Charleston. Wayburn supposedly choreographed a few more steps, and Sissle and Blake wrote the song, The Charleston. It was an instant hit."
In this photo from the 1940s, dancers perform the Charleston, which calls for speed, mobility and tons of energy.
Despite its popularity, McClurkin maintains, the dance did not become a craze, until it was featured in the 1923 Black musical "Runnin Wild." On October 29, of that same year, Runnin' Wild opened at the Colonial Theatre in New York.
Gyrating to the jazzy accompaniment of Cecil P. Mack and James P. Jones, the Dancing Redcaps did the Charleston. A new craze was instantly borne. Housewives, anxious to learn the Charleston, paid their maids to teach them how to do the dance. Other incidents followed. Legendary dance instructor Arthur Murray, eager to cash in on the craze, demonstrated a version for couples. And, in St. Louis, a police officer was reportedly spotted doing the Charleston while directing traffic.
For those unfamiliar with its decorum, The Charleston can be done three ways: alone, with a partner or in a group. To do the dance, you turn in your toes and knees and shift the weight of the body from leg to leg and move the legs and hands in a kicking gesture.
In discovering the true story behind the Charleston, Hewitt-Clarke says she feels a sense of pride and satisfaction. "This just proves what I've been saying all along, that Blacks have made contributions that most people aren't even aware of." The University of Oklahoma graduate teaches a course on the history of dance from the 1800s to the present. As an added attraction, the class focuses on African-oriented dances such as the Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Black Bottom and the CakeWalk.
"I want to teach my students about the Charleston, Black Bottom and other dances with African-American roots. This will instill in them the message, that not only can Blacks dance, they are also responsible for creating some of the most famous dances of the 20th century," asserts Hewitt-Clarke.
* Not her real name
Noble Sissle (standing) and Eubie Blake (seated at the piano) were song writing partners for over 30 years, and remained friends until Sissle's death in 1975 at 86.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)This is a very interesting and informative article Peggy. thanks for sharing
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