1. By: Charlie Smugar Max Strotbeck Shawn You Dance Crazes of the 1920s

2. Objectives

• To explain the influence of dance on society in the 1920s

• To provide examples of those dances made popular in the 1920s

3. How Dance in the 1920s Started

• As people became more optimistic about life after the war, they used dancing as a way to express their emotions. Dance in the 1920s was fast, energetic, and fun as people focused on leaving behind their old, constrained lifestyles.

4. Dance Impacts Society

• Dancing became a popular form of entertainment. Dance became much more energetic to match the fast-paced lifestyles of the younger generation

5. Dancing Marathons Dancing Marathons were very popular events. People would gather to this competition and would dance for as long as possible to win. There usually would be designated break times every hour. Judges would also be present to make sure no ones knees touched the ground.

6.

7.

• By far the biggest and most popular dance of the 1920s.

• Originated near Charleston, South Carolina where it got its name.

• Mainly became popular after the Charleston song and dance was featured in the Broadway show Runnin Wild

The Charleston

8. The Charleston Continued

• The Charleston would involve fast and energetic movements as the feet moved forward and backwards and the arms swung.

• The heels would kick outward as the knees would bend in time with the music

9. Continued

• The Charleston was also a dance people could add their own touch to as the Charleston often included improvisation.

• The Charleston was a very important dance in the transition from watching dance to become involved in the fun.

10.

11.

• Originally called the Break-A-Way, this dance became popular in 1927 when it was renamed the Lindy Hop by the famous swing dancer George Shorty Snowden.

• The name was taken from the last name of the famous pilot Charles Lindbergh

Lindy Hop

12. The Lindy Hop continued

• Its name specifically came after Snowden danced the Lindy Hop in a contest. When asked what he was doing he replied, The Lindy Hop... Were flyin' just like Lindy did!

13. Continued

• The Lindy Hop involved both partners improvising with creative (and sometimes acrobatic) moves

• Became the first form of swing music along with the Charleston and later became known as the well-known Jitterbug.

14. The Fox-Trot

15.

• The Fox-Trot was originally developed in 1914 by a vaudeville performer named Harry Fox when he did a fast, trotting step on stage during a show.

The Fox-Trot

16. The Fox-Trot Continued

• The dance truly evolved in the 1920s as it became more well-known and danced more often

• The dance itself was smoother than its earlier 1910s version where dancers mainly followed beat instead of measure

17. Continued

• While the dance was very popular with its upbeat and fun style, it was also criticized as some people said it was corrupting and impure while it provoked the spirits of younger community

18. The End