Recently there was a discussion on BKOS about tap dancing.
Many of us responded with references to our favorites, among them: the Nicholas Brothers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and many others.
This style of dancing that has deep roots in a system of slavery that prohibited communicating by spoken words. This prohibition, initially meant to prevent unrest and collusion among the slaves, gave birth to a dependence on rhythm sometimes using the feet or clapping the hands or hitting various body parts in time to music that was internal.
I saw this YouTube video posting of a “mashup” and it made me smile. It includes some great dancing including parts of the famous “stair dance” by the Nicholas Brothers. It features the great Fred Astaire and some of his famous partners. I am reminded of something said about Ginger Rogers “She’s just as good as Fred and she does it backwards in high heels!”
“We dance for laughter, We dance for tears.
We dance for madness, We dance for fears.
We dance for hopes, We dance for screams,
We are the dancers, We create dreams.”
I have fond memories of old Black and White movie musicals and the dancers whose magic filled the “Silver Screen.”
Enjoy.
