GFADAF EP 7: "The Book of Tap" by Jerry Ames and Jim Siegelman (The Hidden Histories of Tap Dance Histories, Part 2)

Feb 10, 2022

Join Tristan Bruns as he explores 'The Book of Tap' by Jerry Ames and Jim Siegelman in part 2 of 'The Hidden History of Tap Dance Histories' series. Discover the sections 'Tap Patter,' 'Hollywood and the Golden Age of Tap,' 'Lost in the Shuffle,' and 'Tap Comes Back.' Learn about the history, philosophy, and quotes from famous dancers in the book. Dive into the burning question of 'Why Tap?' and its connection to the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War. Get ready for an entertaining and enlightening dive into the world of tap dance!

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Introduction

00:00 • 6min

Tap Dancing: From Origins to Harlem Jam Sessions

05:47 • 32min

The Fortunate Ship Dancers Theory

37:54 • 7min

Challenges to the Blackface Minstrelcy Theory and its Supposed Death

44:32 • 4min

The History and Challenges of Tap Dance

49:01 • 18min

Racial Representation and Stereotypes in Tap Dancing

01:07:29 • 10min

Mixed Feelings and Personal Reflections on Tap Dance

01:16:59 • 5min

Expressions of Gratitude and Nostalgic Tap Dance Memories

01:21:44 • 5min

Episode Notes

We begin Part 2 of The Hidden History of Tap Dance Histories series with a look at "The Book of Tap" by Jerry Ames and Jim Siegelman. Host Tristan Bruns takes a thorough look "TBoT (minus the instruction part) which covers such topics as the "death" of tap, the tap dance "revival," tap in Hollywood, history, philosophy and the various quotes from famous dancers and instructors scattered throughout the book. Whoo-Hoo! That's, like, what this whole podcast is about. It's like non-denominational, sectarian gift-giving holiday-day has come early this year!

0:00 - General overview of "The Book of Tap," including the sections "Tap Patter" (quotes from famous dancers and instructors), "Hollywood and the Golden Age of Tap," "Lost in the Shuffle" (on the "death" of tap dance), "Tap Comes Back" (on the "revival" of tap dance), and a look into the future (right now!) of tap dance with ""Tap's Next Steps".

25:50 - I look at the history section of the book, the sources used for that history and compare it with other short histories from other instructional-type tap dance books.

56:34 - We get to do some tap dance philosophizing, exploring one of life's most burning questions: "Why Tap?" Many people say that they tap dance because it makes them happy. But what do we mean by "happiness" anyway? And what does the U.S. Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, the Vietnam War and Richard Nixon have to do with it? Find out in the final installment on "The Book of Tap" and stay tuned for Episode 8 where I interview the author of "The Book of Tap," Jim Siegelman himself!

Stay tuned for Episode 9 "Color-Blind Tap Dance: The Hidden Histories of Tap Dance Histories, Part 3"

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