Dancing The Big Apple 1937. African Americans Inspire a National Craze

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Description

In 1937, the nation struggled to recover from the Great Depression. Americans from every background let loose in the Big Apple circle dance, memorialized by Frankie Manning's choreography for Harlem dancers in the film "Keep Punching." This documentary portrays the Big Apple craze from its discovery in Columbia, South Carolina, and explores its African ceremonial roots. As this video reveals, the Big Apple was a unifying experience that provided joy at a time when there was little to celebrate. Cued by a caller, dancers performed moves from the Lindy Hop, Shag, Charleston, and popular jazz steps like Trucking and Pecking. Individual dancers or couples were invited to improvise in the center of the circle. Written and directed by Judy Pritchett, this documentary includes rare archival dance film footage and historical commentary.