Beginning Jazz Dance from the Jazz Age, 1920s-1940s
Class | Available (Membership Required)
Let’s dance! This course will include one hour of dancing each session, along with one hour of discussion.
The first hour will focus on learning elements of African American vernacular jazz dance from the 1920-40s. The class begins with an age-appropriate warmup of all parts of the body. Then we’ll learn vernacular steps such as the shim sham, Charleston, and box step, and put them together into short dances. We will dance mainly to jazz music from the 1920s-40s, along with some more contemporary jazz songs.
The last hour of class will focus on class presentations, video clips, and conversation about readings or videos. Class members will sign up for a topic of their choice. The focus will be on learning the fascinating history behind this African American form. Two articles, with links, will be assigned as pre-read for each class.
Format: Wendy will lead the movement section of class each week. Class members will come dressed in comfortable clothing that allows movement, along with sneakers or dance shoes. During the second hour, class members will either make a brief presentation, or lead a discussion based on the assigned reading, during a 25-minute time slot.
Resources/Expenses: Internet access to view YouTube videos. No Expenses anticipated.
Wendy Oliver
Dr. Wendy Oliver recently retired from the Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film, where she taught dance and dance history. She has published research articles in professional Dance journals and has edited and contributed to several books, one of which is Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and Branches.