Big Apple (dance)

Introduction

Partner and circle dance The Big Apple is both a partner dance and a circle dance that originated in the Afro American community of the United States in the beginning of the 20th century.Partner and circle dance The Big Apple is both a partner dance and a circle dance that originated in the Afro American community of the United States in the beginning of the 20th century.

Origin (1860–1936)

The exact origin of the Big Apple is unclear but one author suggests that the dance originated from the "ring shout", a group dance associated with religious observances that was founded before 1860 by African Americans on plantations in South Carolina and Georgia.The exact origin of the Big Apple is unclear but one author suggests that the dance originated from the "ring shout", a group dance associated with religious observances that was founded before 1860 by African Americans on plantations in South Carolina and Georgia.

The ring shout is described as a dance with "counterclockwise circling and high arm gestures" that resembled the Big Apple.The ring shout is described as a dance with "counterclockwise circling and high arm gestures" that resembled the Big Apple.

It is still practiced today in small populations of the southern United States.It is still practiced today in small populations of the southern United States.

The dance that eventually became known as the Big Apple is speculated to have been created in the early 1930s by African American youth dancing at the Big Apple Club, which was at the former House of Peace Synagogue on Park Street in Columbia, South Carolina.The dance that eventually became known as the Big Apple is speculated to have been created in the early 1930s by African American youth dancing at the Big Apple Club, which was at the former House of Peace Synagogue on Park Street in Columbia, South Carolina.

The synagogue was converted into a black juke joint called the "Big Apple Night Club".The synagogue was converted into a black juke joint called the "Big Apple Night Club".

In 1936, three white students from the University of South Carolina – Billy Spivey, Donald Davis, and Harold "Goo Goo" Wiles – heard the music coming from the juke joint as they were driving by.In 1936, three white students from the University of South Carolina – Billy Spivey, Donald Davis, and Harold "Goo Goo" Wiles – heard the music coming from the juke joint as they were driving by.

The company continued to grow to over 200 Arthur Murray dance studios throughout the world by 2003.The company continued to grow to over 200 Arthur Murray dance studios throughout the world by 2003.

Soon after arriving in California, Herbert "Whitey" White, the manager for the group, sent a telegram to Frankie Manning, the lead dancer for the group, about the new dance craze in New York City called the Big Apple.Soon after arriving in California, Herbert "Whitey" White, the manager for the group, sent a telegram to Frankie Manning, the lead dancer for the group, about the new dance craze in New York City called the Big Apple.

Manning had never seen the dance before but based on the description of the dance in the telegram, he choreographed a Big Apple routine for the group.Manning had never seen the dance before but based on the description of the dance in the telegram, he choreographed a Big Apple routine for the group.

Since the dance was based on combining jazz steps that the Lindy hoppers were already familiar with, such as Truckin', the Suzie Q, and Boogies, the group quickly learned the new steps.Since the dance was based on combining jazz steps that the Lindy hoppers were already familiar with, such as Truckin', the Suzie Q, and Boogies, the group quickly learned the new steps.

They performed their Big Apple routine for Everybody Sing, but the dance scene was eventually cut due to a dispute between the director and Whitey over the dance group's not receiving a break in the filming schedule.They performed their Big Apple routine for Everybody Sing, but the dance scene was eventually cut due to a dispute between the director and Whitey over the dance group's not receiving a break in the filming schedule.

When the group returned to Harlem, Manning taught his Big Apple version to other dancers in Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, before ever having seen the version done by the Big Apple dancers at the Roxy.When the group returned to Harlem, Manning taught his Big Apple version to other dancers in Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, before ever having seen the version done by the Big Apple dancers at the Roxy.

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers would dance the Big Apple mixed with Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom until interest in the dance died out.Whitey's Lindy Hoppers would dance the Big Apple mixed with Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom until interest in the dance died out.

Later in 1939, the group performed a Big Apple sequence for the movie Keep Punching, which has been recreated by Lindy Hop performance groups since the 1990s.Later in 1939, the group performed a Big Apple sequence for the movie Keep Punching, which has been recreated by Lindy Hop performance groups since the 1990s.

By the end of 1937, the Big Apple had become a national dance craze.By the end of 1937, the Big Apple had become a national dance craze.

On December 20, 1937, Life featured the Big Apple in a four page photo spread and the magazine predicted that 1937 would be remembered as the year of the Big Apple.On December 20, 1937, Life featured the Big Apple in a four page photo spread and the magazine predicted that 1937 would be remembered as the year of the Big Apple.

A theatrical producer, Harry Howard, saw their show and hired the group to perform for Hollywood Hotel Revue, a production that would tour New Zealand and Australia.A theatrical producer, Harry Howard, saw their show and hired the group to perform for Hollywood Hotel Revue, a production that would tour New Zealand and Australia.

The group was billed as "The 8 Big Apple Dancers" or similar variations, and consisted of four couples that included Frankie Manning.The group was billed as "The 8 Big Apple Dancers" or similar variations, and consisted of four couples that included Frankie Manning.

They were the only black performers in the production that lasted from August 1938 until spring 1939.They were the only black performers in the production that lasted from August 1938 until spring 1939.

Some claim that New York City's nickname, the Big Apple, came from the dance.Some claim that New York City's nickname, the Big Apple, came from the dance.

However, that theory has been discredited (see The Nickname of New York).However, that theory has been discredited (see The Nickname of New York).

There are also accounts that a new variation developed called the "Little Apple."There are also accounts that a new variation developed called the "Little Apple."

This form involved fewer dancers and people would take it in turns to grab a partner and move to the center of the circle and dance for a while in styles similar to the Lindy Hop, Shag, or other dances of the era.This form involved fewer dancers and people would take it in turns to grab a partner and move to the center of the circle and dance for a while in styles similar to the Lindy Hop, Shag, or other dances of the era.

Decline in popularity (1939–41)

The dance reached international popularity by 1939.The dance reached international popularity by 1939.

Jeff Wilkinson claims that "even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was doing the dance."Jeff Wilkinson claims that "even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was doing the dance."

However, this may have been the dance's undoing.However, this may have been the dance's undoing.

Wilkinson speculates that the dance decreased in popularity when "it was adopted by the old folks."Wilkinson speculates that the dance decreased in popularity when "it was adopted by the old folks."

Jitterbugging was also increasing in popularity, and by 1941 the Big Apple was a past fad that had been replaced by the JitterbugJitterbugging was also increasing in popularity, and by 1941 the Big Apple was a past fad that had been replaced by the Jitterbug

Revival (1980s–90s)

In the 1980s, Lance Benishek and Betty Wood started to tour the US and Europe teaching the Big Apple.In the 1980s, Lance Benishek and Betty Wood started to tour the US and Europe teaching the Big Apple.

The 50th anniversary of the dance was celebrated in 1988 in Columbia, South Carolina, the location where it all started.The 50th anniversary of the dance was celebrated in 1988 in Columbia, South Carolina, the location where it all started.

Related dances

The Big Apple has many commonalities with Afro American vernacular partner dances of the early part of the century through the 1930s and '40s.The Big Apple has many commonalities with Afro American vernacular partner dances of the early part of the century through the 1930s and '40s.

Dances such as the Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Charleston, and Lindy Hop share both similar elements and a common underlying improvisational spirit.Dances such as the Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Charleston, and Lindy Hop share both similar elements and a common underlying improvisational spirit.