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Harlem as a Center of Art and Culture Study Guide for Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performance

Harlem as a Center of Art and Culture Study Guide for Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performance. Edward M. Epstein, University of Pennsylvania. Blacks in New York: Colonial Period. Enslaved Africans first arrive in Dutch Colony of New Amsterdam 1625

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Harlem as a Center of Art and Culture Study Guide for Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performance

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  1. Harlem as a Center of Art and CultureStudy Guide for Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Performance Edward M. Epstein, University of Pennsylvania

  2. Blacks in New York: Colonial Period • Enslaved Africans first arrive in Dutch Colony of New Amsterdam 1625 • Taken by British 1665, renamed New York. Becomes center of British slave trade • Slave market established on Wall St., 1711 • Slave rebellions, 1712, 1741

  3. Blacks in New York: 1800s • NY passes gradual emancipation act, 1799, abolishes slavery1817 • Free Blacks subjected to discrimination in voting, housing, worship • 1790s-1860s: Black New Yorkers organize their own churches, businesses, newspapers & benevolent societies • Progression of Black settlements in New York, leading to Harlem

  4. Development of Northern Manhattan • First Dutch settlers arrive 1637; named New Haarlem in 1658 after Dutch city • Elevated trains extended to north of city, 1870s-1880s • Based on plan for IRT subway line, real estate speculation fuels housing glut • African American real estate brokers buy up undervalued property, sell and rent to Blacks

  5. New Black Self-Image in the New Century • More assertive attitude by Black troops returning from World War I • Garveyite movement

  6. “New Negro”: Alain Locke, Claude McKay Poets & Novelists James Weldon Johnson, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston Harlem Renaissance: Literature

  7. Aaron Douglas Augusta Savage Harlem Renaissance: Visual Art Douglas: Aspiration Savage: Lift Every Voice and Sing Douglas: Crisis cover

  8. Band leaders Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson Louis Armstrong joins Henderson’s band, 1924 George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue introduced 1924 Venues: Cotton Club, Apollo Theatre, Savoy Ballroom Ellington Sound Clips: Caravan, Satin Doll Harlem Renaissance: Jazz

  9. Dance Styles: Lindy Hop • Popularized at Savoy Ballroom by “Shorty” George Snowden • Video: Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, 1937 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzpVeJodMSo&feature=related

  10. Harlem Riots, 1943 Downward slide in property values as “White flight” takes hold 1940s & 50s

  11. Visual Arts: Picturing Harlem • Jacob Lawrence • Romare Bearden Lawrence Interior Scene Bearden Dove

  12. Dance: Desegregating Ballet • Arthur Mitchell was first African American to dance in George Balanchine’s New York City ballet (1955) • Was principal dancer for 15 years • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRZwCmmQVPw&feature=related

  13. Background: Classical Ballet • Pas de deux—Swan Lakehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhnImyhvZKg • Feet positionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbN5wzywf4 • Ballet moveshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_MIhxrqBVs

  14. Background: Modern Dance • Martha Graham:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb4-kpClZns&feature=related

  15. Background: Jazz Dance • Evolved from African American popular dance styles: • Tap • Social dance: Jitterbug, Cakewalk, Lindy Hop • 1950s Katherine Dunham develops Modern Jazz dance, adding Carribean, ballet influences

  16. Dance Theatre of Harlem • Mitchell Founded Dance Theatre with Karel Shook in 1969 • “Open House” series gave community access to dance performances • Peformance debut at Guggenheim Museum in 1971 • Arthur Mitchell co-choreographs Concerto for Jazz Band and Orchestra with George Balanchine of NYC Ballet • Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE8JMc90qwc&feature=watch_response • Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsOBXQV04sk&feature=related

  17. Gentrification Current-day cultural institutions Schomburg Archive Studio Museum Apollo Theater Abyssinian Baptist Church Dance Theatre of Harlem Harlem Now

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