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Tap was created from African drumming and dancing and European clog and step dancing. Between the 1600’s and the early 1800’s, dances such as the “juba” and the “ring shouts” were developed.
After the Civil War, ‘stop time’, ‘soft shoe’, ‘waltz clog’ and ‘time step’ were steps added to the art of tap dancing.
Tap began as dancing on street corners or outside clubs. Dancers would try and outdo each other each time.
The tap dancing motto is
A dancer’s personal style is usually incorporated into the steps.
In the 1950’s, tap’s style changed and tap dancing was not as popular. Later in the 60’s, tap was suddenly considered an art instead of just entertainment after people started to see it in shows more often.
Tap went to Broadway, film and the concert stage in the 1970’s throughout Europe, USA, and Japan.
May 25th was proclaimed as National Tap Dance day by a vote in Congress in 1989.
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