Steppin’ on the Blues Bookclub!

While social distancing, now is the perfect time to dig deeper into the dance and the music and the history of Lindy Hop and other vernacular jazz movement. Our last book club was a major success, and we can't wait to keep on keeping on and seeing all of your awesome faces at our discussion! If you aren't able to read the book, we encourage you to join us anyway! We miss your faces and want you here for the discussion! Our book will be Jacqui Malone's 'Steppin' on the Blues', a chronicle of African American vernacular dance. We will be covering Chapters 8, 9, 10! "It's impossible to think of the heritage of music and dance in the United States without the invaluable contributions of African Americans. Those art forms have been touched by the genius of African American culture and have helped this nation take its important and unique place in the pantheon of world art. Steppin' on the Blues explores not only the meaning of dance in African American life but also the ways in which music, song, and dance are interrelated in African American culture. Dance as it has emanated from the black community is a pervasive, vital, and distinctive form of expression--its movements speak eloquently of African American values and aesthetics. Beyond that it has been, finally, one of the most important means of cultural survival. Former dancer Jacqui Malone throws a fresh spotlight on the cultural history of black dance, the Africanisms that have influenced it, and the significant role that vocal harmony groups, black college and university marching bands, and black sorority and fraternity stepping teams have played in the evolution of dance in African American life. From the cakewalk to the development of jazz dance and jazz music, all Americans can take pride in the vitality, dynamism, drama, joy, and uncommon singularity with which African American dance has gifted the world." And make sure to support local bookstores during this trying time, and order from them instead of Amazon! Look at either Tombolo Books or Book + Bottle!