Take a trip through the history of tap dancing with my friend and dancer Alex MacDonald. Learn about its origins in the post-slavery 19th century, the trials that early African American dancers went through to perform, and how the art form is changing in the present with a bunch of amazing new performers. Plus at the end of the show, Alex puts on his shoes and give us a short demonstration of a lot of what we discussed. It's a do-not-miss episode.

Links:

• Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers - YouTube
• Bill Bojangles Robinson in " King for a Day" - YouTube
• The Copasetics Do the BS Chorus, 1979 - YouTube
• Jeni LeGon in "Double Deal," 1939 - YouTube
• Bill Robinson - "Stair Dance" - YouTube
• Jimmy Slyde, 1958 - YouTube
• Sammy Davis and Gregory Hines - YouTube
• Jazz Dance: The Story Of American Vernacular Dance: Marshall Stearns, Jean Stearns: 9780306805530: Amazon.com: Books
• Taptastic 2018 - Derick Grant - Teacher's solo - YouTube
• Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards at Stockholm Tap Festival 2013 - YouTube
• Michelle Dorrance Performs Tap With Jon Batiste & Stay Human - YouTube
• Savion Glover performs - YouTube
• Alexander MacDonald (@jumpsuitalex) • Instagram photos and videos