Last weekend, for the second year in a row, the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble (CADE) performed its entertaining and educational show "The History of Black Dance in America" at the Santa Monica Bay Women's Club in honor of Black History Month. A combination of live dance and video with voiceover narration, the show aimed to trace a line between the spiritual and social dances of enslaved Africans and the development of vernacular dances in the Americas.

Throughout the ambitious program, which leapt from traditional Zulu dances in Africa to popular American dances from the 1800s to the 2000s, the resounding message was that American dance (and dance throughout the Americas) has been defined by the contributions of slavery's descendents. The movement styles brought from native African lands as well as the modes of physical expression that emerged as a response to slavery and segregation in the New World laid the foundation for what came to be quintessentially American dance forms, from the Cakewalk to the Charleston, swing to salsa, and disco to hip hop.

It may sound like fodder for a PhD dissertation, but lively performances by the unflappable ensemble members of CADE, along with the folksy video supplements, made the history lesson simple to digest and easy to get swept up in. The most well-known dances were, not surprisingly, the most crowd-pleasing. The spirited Black Bottom and Charleston from the 1920s, with their exuberant kicks and tongue-in-cheek pelvic thrusts, were an energetic highlight. The zoot suits and velvety slides of the Vernacular Jazz number dripped with style. A video of the ensemble performing fad dances of the 80s and 90s, from the electric slide to the Roger Rabbit, was a pure party.

But the lesser-known dances were opportunities to expose the crowd to an even richer history and explore the African contribution to dance in the Americas on a deeper level. Archival footage of spiritual dances like the Ring Shout from the mid-1800s demonstrated a close corporeal link with African tribal rituals. A performance of Candombe, originally danced by descendents of Bantu in Argentina and Uruguay, revealed a striking and surprising similarity to the Argentine tango; it is thought to be the root of the dance that germinated in the brothels of Buenos Aires.

The tango is a prime example of the theme of cooptation that ran throughout the show. Time and again, white dance makers took dances developed in black communities and popularized them to a white majority, who often had no awareness of their black origin. Whether it was Irene and Vernon Castle introducing the Foxtrot in the 1930s, Arthur Murray watering down the Cuban Mambo, or American Bandstand broadcasting white dancers doing the Bop, black contributions to American dance were often concealed.

This, in turn, is what made the CADE show so poignant and important, as it was a rare chance to shine a spotlight on a history that's been told primarily in academic circles by historians but rarely by dancers. The show's introductory voiceover suggested that dance is in fact the heart of the African American spirit. Stripped of their freedom and identity upon arrival in the New World, the Africans forced here by the slave trade could only carry memories, both cognitive and corporeal. Dance is the essence of what remained. It is a history literally written on the body.

http://www.smmirror.com/#mode=single&view=34213

They Could Have Danced All Night And They Did...

Santa Monica Mirror, Page A4

March 2-8, 2012

This joint was jumping as The History of Black Dance in America strutted its stuff on stage at the historic, 100-year-old Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club located at 1210 4th Street. Brilliantly produced and directed by Ron Parker, the two-hour multimedia performance, in honor of Black History Month, was a "dance back'' in time to the African roots of dance, and how it influenced dance in America, spanning the 1800s to today, beginning with a Zulu warrior ritual brought over from Africa by men destined to be sold into slavery.

Under Parker's most creative choreography, the highly spirited and incredibly talented Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, as well as guest dancers, danced their way through African and African-American inspired popular social dances. Vintage film clips of such icons as Lena Horne, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, and Vernon & Irene Castle, accompanied by a fascinating instructional narrative, augmented the live performances and covered the evolution of such dances as the "Cake Walk". That dance was started by slaves on plantations to mimic high society and the winning slaves would receive cake as their prize, which is how the name evolved.

This gifted, high energy ensemble, dressed in appropriate, gorgeous period costumes, danced their way through 28 dances including "Black Bottom", "Walking the Dog", "Jazz Dance," "Fox Trot,'' "Charleston," "Ragtime,''  "Mambo,'' "Samba," ''Lindy Hop,'' "Swing,'' "Urban Cha Cha," "Disco/Hustle," "Bop," ''Salsa,'' and the fad dances of the 80s and 90s, as well as a rousing tap dance sequence.  Most of the dances were preceded with an explanation of their derivation. Perhaps the most surprising revelation was learning that the most beautiful and sensual "Argentine Tango'' evolved out of dancing by Black slaves who wound up in South America, calling themselves African Argentines. The dance team began with the original version and beautifully transitioned the movements into what we now know as "Argentine Tango ."

The evening, sponsored and hosted by Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club, who gave the production needed support, was a joyous, fun-filled homage to the African roots of dance. In the spirit of continuing the celebration, at the end of the program, dancing continued in the upstairs ballroom of the club where some audience members put on their dance shoes and whirled away the rest of the evening.

A word about the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club: The club presents many cultural and civic events throughout the year, the next one being on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. called "For Freedom," Taking a Stand Against Human Trafficking. The evening will include food, live music, keynote speakers, and a silent auction. For more information, call 310.395.1308 or visit www.smbwc.org.

Contact Beverly Cohn

Bev@smmirror.com

Review of 2015 show by Debra Levine on Arts-Meme: http://artsmeme.com/2015/06/25/review-the-history-of-black-dance-in-amer...

February 12, 2011 7:31 PM

Leslie Gordon wrote on the Wall for The History of Black Dance in America.

Leslie wrote:
"Here, the turn out is amazing!!! Not enuff youngins though..."

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The Facebook Team

February 12, 2011 11:36 PM

Laura Rogers posted on your Wall.

Laura wrote:
"I just wanted to let you know how much mom and I enjoyed the show. I really admired the focus that you and the rest of the performers exhibited!!! Great job! Also, it was a pleasure to meet your mom and nephew."

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February 12, 2011 11:51 PM

From: edwindcraig@gmail.com

Ron. Congratulations. The evening was a great success. We all loved the show. Never mind the technical problems.  The dancing was, well, how could dancing be any better. You were amazing. You are loaded with talent. And the comedy numbers were fabulous. Ditto the costumes and music. The audience sing along and dancing in the aisles just added to the over all excellence of the night. Send my regards to the entire cast. A job more than well done. We had a  lot fun. Thank you. Edwin

February 13, 2011 1:12 AM

Michele Wolpe posted on your Wall.

Michele wrote:
"Ron, c'etait tres impressionant et charmant et j'aimais beaucoup ton "show!"  J'espere que tu va bien dormir apres tout ca!   Merci bien!  Michele"

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February 13, 2011 8:32 AM

From: Jane Rollins, ballroombythebay@gmail.com;

Hi Ron,
Wow, You guys were amazing.  I appreciate all the hard work you put  
into the show.  Can't wait to see the second
one!  Thanks for all you do for the dance community.  You're the best.
Jane

February 13, 2011 9:23 AM

From: Lori Landau, February 13, 2011 9:23 AM

Hi Ron, 

On Sun Feb 13 02:26:16 CST 2011, wendy banks <wendysyoga@msn.com>
wrote:

> Ron,
>
> Thank you so much for such a wonderful show, it was absolutely
> fantastic!  I invited over 12 people but almost all of them were
> busy tonight - so we were four.  We all enjoyed it tremendously -
> the dancing, choreography, costumes - just fantastic.  We all
> hope you'll do it again.  You really created so much joy - thank
> you!
>
> Wendy

February 13, 2011 11:53 PM

Chris wrote: "It was a fantastic show, and a testament to all the passion, long hours and hard work you put into it! Just posted the photos I took, although they don't do justice to how wonderful the dancing and staging was. Congratulations!"

February 13, 2011 8:42 PM

From: gwynn matthews, dedancer09@yahoo.com;

Published Reviews:

• Review From ExploreDance.com
• Review from Santa Monica Mirror

February 28, 2012

5-Star Member of Goldstar.com

The Santa Monica Bay Women's Club was a beautiful building/theater in the happening part of Santa Monica with a historical feel inside.

Overall the dancers were pretty good and very fun - they ranged in age and area of expertise. The main dancers really did a fabulous job with a very wide range of dancing.

The performance started with, I believe a Zulu dance performance and continued alternating with live dances, antique footage, and filmed works. The theme - appreciating African and African contributions to dance in America was wonderful and presented a respectful position in dealing with overt oppression though the ages. I love dance and this performance was historically very interesting and useful in understanding at least, the last century of dance and the African contribution including dances from the Caribbean, South America, and the US.

Wine and deserts were served by beautiful ladies serving were dressed to the nines, or tens (if I can say that). The wine was simple but a nice; an unexpected treat. The deserts were home made by at least one talented baker: the powdered sugar lemon bunt cake - delicious.

All in all, a lovely evening. One food for thought - I would like to have seen more personality or humor in the announcer (I believe it was a recording). At times, he was a bit dry.

Process Comments:

Excellent. Very welcoming and accommodating.

February 27, 2012

From: "Laura Thornhill"
To: BlackDance@centralavedance.com
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 11:21:43 PM
Subject: HISTORY OF BLACK DANCE

Ron!!!! What a superb production !!! The choreography, the narrative, the video when you superimposed the dancers against the backgrounds, the costumes...fabulous !!!  The ability to combine the history with the wonderful visual is why my 90 yr.mom said it was "the best dance program she's seen in her life",and that's alot coming from a New Yorker,who has seen so many dance programs. Really ,Ron this production should be seen by the country! Tour major cities, send video to PBS, send video to Ken Burns,Spike Lee. Educate and delight everyone. Thank you for the work and the experience!!      Laura [from Rusty's]

February 27, 2012

February 25, 2012

Patricia wrote: "Loved every minute! There was so much power and energy from amazing dancers.... I was lifted off my seat several times! Ron you were wonderful! Thank you and all those involved for a beautiful memorable evening!"

February 26, 2012

February 28, 2012

I thought your show was wonderful.  I think you hit it right on of what you wanted to communicate and teach people about the history of Black dance.  Well done!!  If you ever get DVDs of the show I would like to have one.  It deserves to be shown in other cities and other states.  Good for you!  Again, well done and congratulations.  I'm glad I saw the show.

February 26, 2012

Princessdi wrote: "The performance was AMAZING SCENE AFTER SCENE! Greattttttttt JOB!"

March 6, 2012

Chris Hicks