Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Smith, Ernie, 1924-2004.
2. Sommer, Sally R.
3. Brooklyn Academy of Music.
4. State University of New York.
5. Dance Black America (Festival)

Description

1. 3 sound discs (ca. 158 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

1. Film and Slide Screening: American Black Dance on Film: The Development of Black Tap and Social Dance. Sally Sommer and Ernie Smith. 4/21/83.
2. Disc no. 5 (ca. 45 min.) and disc no. 6 (ca. first 40 min.). Introduction of Sally Sommer and her presentation (lecture with slides). Sommer speaks about the indispensable contributions of African American dance and percussion in the development of stage dancing and social dancing in the U.S.; including tap dancing and the cakewalk, Charleston, tango, lindy hop, and ultimately pop dance. Sommer speaks about the contrast and intersection of Black dance with popular European dances and the role of minstrel shows and vaudeville in introducing African American music and dance to the U.S. She also speaks about a number of noted African American entertainers, including William Henry Lane, Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson, and John Bubbles.
3. Disc no. 6 (ca. last 5 min.) and disc no. 7 (ca. 68 min.). Introduction by Ernie Smith of his presentation: three reels of film created by Smith comprising clips from hundreds of separate films gathered by Smith to illustrate the contribution of African Americans to the development of tap dancing and social dancing; brief description of the material on each reel prior to projection; recording includes audio portion from film reels. [Recording continues on disc no. 7. Note that disc no. 7 material was recorded out of sequence: Smith's closing remarks are on track 1 of disc no. 7 and precede introduction of contents of final reel shown by Smith.]

Donor/Sponsor

1. New York State Council on the Arts, 2000-2001.
2. Gift of Patricia Kerr-Ross.
3. Oral History Archive.

Subject

1. Dance, Black > United States
2. Ballroom dancing
3. African American dancers
4. Motion pictures > Collectors and collecting
5. Dance in motion pictures, television, etc
6. Social dancing > History
7. Lane, William Henry, approximately 1825-1852
8. African American entertainers
9. Tap dancing

Call number

1. *MGZTL 4-1195

Note

1. For the souvenir booklet produced in connection with the Dance Black America festival, see *MGS (U.S.) 84-4253. The booklet includes the festival program, articles by festival panelists, a bibliography, and a filmography. For a videorecording made of performances at the festival, see *MGZIA 4-280

Funding (note)

1. Preservation was made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, 2000-2001.

Title

1. Dance Black America, April 21-24, 1983 [part 4, April 21] [sound recording] / presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music and State University of New York.

Imprint

1. 1983.

Funding

1. Preservation was made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, 2000-2001.

Local note

1. Former archival originals: *MGZTCO 3-1195 nos. 6 and 7.
2. Preservation master: *MGZTP 4-1195 nos. 5, 6, and 7.
3. Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-1195 nos. 5, 6, and 7.
4. Sound quality: The cassettes from which the Dance Black America festival were preserved contain gaps, abrupt starts and stops, unrelated material, and material that is out of sequence. In addition, the audibility, especially of questions taken from the audience, is often poor.

Local subject

1. Social dancing -- History.

Added author

1. Smith, Ernie, 1924-2004.
2. Sommer, Sally R.
3. Brooklyn Academy of Music.
4. State University of New York.
5. Dance Black America (Festival)

Research call number

1. *MGZTL 4-1195