Famous Dancers

Other Dancers from Harlem Renaissance:

Earl "Snakehip" Tuker. In the early 1930's, he invented a dance called the Snakehips. The dance is sort of shimmy that relied heavily on wiggling hips. Tucker's flexibility while performing the dance made it seem as if he lacked a skeleton. — Earl “Snakehip” Tuker. In the early 1930’s, he invented a dance called the Snakehips. The dance is sort of shimmy that relied heavily on wiggling hips. Tucker’s flexibility while performing the dance made it seem as if he lacked a skeleton.

George Snowden. A.k.a. Shorty George. The almost five-foot tall dancer was known for his exaggerated and intricate footwork. His signature move was to bend his knees and swing them from side to side, exemplifying the fact that he was close to the floor.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson

Bill Robinson was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878. Early on in his childhood, Robinson was raised by his grandmother after both of his parents died in 1885. Robinson also earned the nickname “Bojangles” for his contentious tendencies. Robinson started dancing when he was 5 years old, performing in local beer gardens. In 1886,…

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker was born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Baker first started dancing for the public on streets throughout St. Louis and then later became a chorus girl on the St. Louis stage. Originally, Baker tried to become a chorus girl for the Dixie Steppers in the presentation “Shuffle Along” but was rejected…

Alice Barker

Alice Barker was a chorus line dancer during the Harlem Renaissance who celebrated her 102nd birthday in early 2015. Alice Barker danced during the Harlem Renaissance, as well as in movies, TV, and commercials. Barker performed at venues such as the Apollo, the Cotton Club, and the Zanzibar Club, alongside greats including Frank Sinatra, Gene…

Florence Mills

Florence Mills was born on January 25th, 1896, near Washington D.C. Florence became an entertainer as a young child, making her stage debut at age 5 with the name “Baby Florence.” Florence began working in vaudeville acts and joined a touring company at age 8 before authorities discovered that she was underage. When her family…

Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham was born on June 22nd, 1909, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She was a choreographer who revolutinized American dance during the 1930s by going back to the roots of black dance and rituals, transforming them into choreography. She was considered a pioneer in the uses of ethnic choreography and one of the founders of anthropological…

Pearl Primus

Pearl Primus was born in Trinidad on November 29th, 1919, before her parents immigrated to Harlem. Pearl worked at the New Dance Group Studios, where she trained alongside white people. Pearl also researched the history of African dances. Pearl became the first black modern dancer, having performed her first performance, Strange Fruit. The dance had no music,…

Famous Dancers

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