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Vaudeville Performers, c.
1908
Bert Williams
(1874-1922); George Walker (1873-1911); and Aida Overton Walker (1870-1914)
- Have students review some primary documents, i.e. old magazine covers,
movie posters, and advertisements. Discuss the way graphics differed
for the advertisement of a play in 1900 and the way entertainment is
advertised on Broadway today. Have students design a playbill for a
production of "In Dahomey" or "Bandanna Land." How would they use the
African elements differently?
- The Cakewalk was a popular dance in its time much like the Charleston, the Jitterbug, and the Twist. The dance's origin was probably on the slave plantation. It was a high-kicking, walk-around contest that usually ended with the winning couple getting the cake. Have classroom demonstrations of a currently popular dance. Who made the dance popular? Can students think of any dances that have made it to the stage, movies, or television? Can any of the students demonstrate other popular dance crazes, i.e., the Charleston, the Twist, the Jitterbug, the Mambo, the Bump, the Bus-Stop, the Hammer, etc.?