Savoy Ballroom of Harlem, 1950s
The Spirit Moves DVD collection is a true film gem—the Rosetta stone for researchers interested in black dance. Filmed at the Savoy Ballroom in the 1950s, Part 2 features footage of dancing by the public. This is important not only from a cultural perspective, but because the ‘public’ included Al Minns and Leon James. Watch the Bebop, Lindy, Shim Sham, Charleston, and an aerial Lindy contest for the Harvest Moon Ball Championships as they were originally performed.
The Spirit Moves is a rare and vital social document providing a living record of the men and women who crafted American social dance styles and jazz music into an improvisational art form. Previously, the films comprising this DVD were only available for viewing at the Dance Collection of the New York Public Library. Dancetime Publications has made the most extensive video encyclopedia of African American Social Dance available to the world’s libraries, schools, dance aficionados, and scholars.
Carol Téten’s Dancetime Publications’ compilation of Mura Dehn’s raw footage of directed improv from 1900-1950.
DVD run-time: 30 minutes
A seminal appreciation of the evolution of African-American dance in urban America, The Spirit Moves series is a must-have for any serious American dance history DVD collection. The Midwest Book Review
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PROGRAM DETAILS:
The Spirit Moves traces the evolution of African American dance in urban America. The study of these 20th century dance fads is essential for dance and music research and the exploration of our social and cultural history. Shown with original editing, this DVD contains the only footage of this kind still in existence. It was recorded and created over a period of thirty years by Mura Dehn, a European filmmaker who recognized the vital contribution of African American dance to the Jazz scene, and thus, to our cultural heritage.
Contents: The Spirit Moves, Part 2
CHAPTER ONE: LADIES FREE NIGHT
Mambo – Harlem Style
GENERAL PUBLIC
Ladies Free – Lindy Hop
GENERAL PUBLIC
BeBop Lindy – Postwar Mood
GENERAL PUBLIC
BeBop Applejack
GENERAL PUBLIC
CHAPTER TWO: SAVOY CHAMPIONS
Line Routine
LEADER – LEON JAMES
Charleston Solo
AL MINNS
Lindy Hop Challenge – Ballroom to Blues
GENERAL PUBLIC
Contest of Aerial Lindy
(REHEARASAL FOR HARVEST MOON BALL CHAMPIONSHIP)
DISCOUNT PACKAGE:
3 DVD Set - THE SPIRIT MOVES: Volumes 1-3
Reviews
The dancing is often spectacular…a remarkable record of vernacular dance. Ballet Review
Mura Dehn… knew instantly that this remarkable scene had to be documented: ‘My contribution is to have assembled and preserved these dances as presented by their greatest exponents.’ …these DVDs… are essential viewing. This is our history. If you’ve danced to jazz or funk or house you have participated in that cultural continuum. Jazz dance, like jazz music, is one of Americas major contributions to world culture, and if you havent seen the film, then you have been cheated of your own dance history. Paul Bradshaw, Mondomix
