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Documentary
In three one-hour programs, "Free To Dance" chronicles the crucial role that African-American dancers and choreographers have played in the development of modern dance as an American art form. Through first-person accounts by dancers and witnesses, the series documents how African-derived movement and other forms of dance were fused to make modern dance so distinctively American.
-Thirteen PBS
Video Link:
Karl Skellenger: (2015, January 26). Free to Dance Episode 2: Steps of the Gods (part 1) [video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcN0G7xItwo&t=1456s
Museums & Libraries
The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities
Library of Congress Katherine Dunham Collection
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
UMass Amherst Libraries Pearl Primus Collection
Duke University Libraries Pearl Primus Collection, 1920-1994
Books & Blogs
Dances of Haiti, by Katherine Dunham
The Dance Claimed Me: A Biography of Pearl Primus
IG: @BlackDanceHistory
Featured Content
AFRO DANCE
Afro dance has a rich history rooted in traditional African dances, brought
to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Over time, these dances blended with other styles, creating vibrant forms of expression. In the 20th century, Afro dance gained global popularity, influenced by African, Carib-bean, and Latin American traditions. Today, it continues to evolve, influencing contemporary dance and celebrating African culture and heritage.
FEATURED DANCERS
FEATURED NEWSPAPERS
KATHERINE DUNHAM
Katherine Dunham was a pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist who is widely regarded
as one of the most influential figures in American dance. She
developed the "Dunham Technique," a groundbreaking dance
style that blended traditional African and Caribbean dance
forms with ballet and modern dance. Dunham's work not only revolutionized dance but also emphasized the importance of
African culture and heritage in the performing arts. Beyond her contributions to dance, Dunham was a passionate advocate for
civil rights and used her art to challenge racial stereotypes and promote social justice. Her legacy continues to inspire dancers
and choreographers around the world.
PEARL PRIMUS
Pearl Primus was a trailblazing African American dancer, choreo-
grapher and anthropologist known for her powerful performances
and deep commitment to showcasing African and African American culture. She used dance as a form of social activism, highlighting
the struggles and resilience of Black people through her work. Primus's choreography often drew on African dance traditions,
and she was dedicated to preserving and promoting African
heritage in the performing arts. Like Katherine Dunham, Primus played a key role in bringing African dance to the American stage, blending it with modern dance to create a unique and expres-
sive style. Her contributions to dance and her focus on cultural authenticity and social justice have left a lasting impact on the
world of dance and beyond.
KATHERINE DUNHAM
Katherine Dunham was a pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, and anthro-pologist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American dance.
She developed the "Dunham Technique," a groundbreaking dance style that blended traditional African and Caribbean dance forms with ballet and modern dance. Dunham's work
not only revolutionized dance but also empha-sized the importance of African culture and heritage in the performing arts. Beyond her contributions to dance, Dunham was a passion-
ate advocate for civil rights and used her art to challenge racial stereotypes and promote social justice. Her legacy continues to inspire dancers and choreographers around the world.
PEARL PRIMUS
Pearl Primus was a trailblazing African American
dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist
known for her powerful performances and
deep commitment to showcasing African and African American culture. She used dance as
a form of social activism, highlighting the strug-gles and resilience of Black people through
her work. Primus's choreography often drew on African dance traditions, and she was dedicated to preserving and promoting African heritage
in the performing arts. Like Katherine Dunham, Primus played a key role in bringing African
dance to the American stage, blending it with modern dance to create a unique and expres-
sive style. Her contributions to dance and her focus on cultural authenticity and social justice have left a lasting impact on the world of dance
and beyond.
AFRO DANCE
Afro dance has a rich history rooted in traditional African dances, brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Over time, these dances blended with other styles, creating vibrant forms of expression. In the 20th century, Afro dance gained global popularity, influenced by African, Caribbean, and Latin American traditions. Today, it continues
to evolve, influencing contemporary dance and celebrating African culture and heritage.
FEATURED DANCERS
FEATURED NEWSPAPERS
AFRO DANCE
Afro dance has a rich history rooted in traditional African dances, brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Over time, these dances blended with other styles, creating vibrant forms of expression. In the 20th century, Afro dance gained global popularity, influenced by African, Caribbean, and Latin American traditions. Today, it continues to evolve, influencing contemporary dance and celebrating African culture and heritage.
FEATURED DANCERS
KATHERINE DUNHAM
Katherine Dunham was a pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, and anthro-pologist who is widely regarded as one of the
most influential figures in American dance.
She developed the "Dunham Technique," a
groundbreaking dance style that blended traditional African and Caribbean dance forms
with ballet and modern dance. Dunham's
work not only revolutionized dance but also emphasized the importance of African culture
and heritage in the performing arts. Beyond
her contributions to dance, Dunham was a passionate advocate for civil rights and used
her art to challenge racial stereotypes and promote social justice. Her legacy continues
to inspire dancers and choreographers
around the world.
PEARL PRIMUS
Pearl Primus was a trailblazing African American
dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist
known for her powerful performances and
deep commitment to showcasing African and African American culture. She used dance as
a form of social activism, highlighting the strug-gles and resilience of Black people through
her work. Primus's choreography often drew on African dance traditions, and she was dedicated
to preserving and promoting African heritage
in the performing arts. Like Katherine Dunham, Primus played a key role in bringing African
dance to the American stage, blending it with modern dance to create a unique and expres-
sive style. Her contributions to dance and her focus on cultural authenticity and social justice have left a lasting impact on the world of dance
and beyond.