Historical Social Dances of Harlem with Dana Rainey

Resized-Historical-Dances-of-Harlem

Bee's Knees

The Bee’s Knees is a dance that creates the illusion of the dancer’s knees passing through each other as he hands move and cross at the same time momentarily obscuring the knees to create the illusion.

Shorty George and Boogie Back

In this video, we learn a dance named for legendary dancer and choreographer “Shorty” George Snowden, originator of the Jitterbug. To use his height as an asset “Shorty” George would bend his knees, swinging from side to side, exaggerating his closeness to the ground, thus the Shorty George dance move was birthed. The Boogie Back is done with the Shorty George to keep the energy of the dance alive.

Truckin'

Truckin’ was created by tap dancer Cora LaRedd and stylized by Apollo Theater comedic legend Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham. Truckin’ symbolizes a shuffling walk done to emphasize one’s feelings of happiness or joy.

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