nPosted on May 25, 2020
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In an earlier post, I mentioned that May 25 – that’s today! – is Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday – and he’s a super famous tap dancer.
In an earlier post, I mentioned that May 25 – that’s today! – is Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday – and he’s a super famous tap dancer. n
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nWhich is why this is ALSO National Tap Dance Day.
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nTap dancing originated in the United States – mostly within the black community in the U.S. Enslaved black Americans were usually deprived of drums and other percussion instruments that were part of their African traditions, and so a kind of percussive dance was developed. This dance form ended up being influenced by Irish dancing and clog dancing from the British Isles.
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nEarly tap shoes had wooden soles. Sometimes dancers attached pennies to the heel and toe. These days tap shoes of many different styles have permanently attached metal taps that are quite a bit larger than a penny – but are still located on the heels and toes.
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nTo celebrate Tap Dance Day, check out some different styles:
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nRhythm tap by modern great Savion Glover
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nRhythm tap by a group
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nClassical tap – a sort of combination of ballet and tap!
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nAlso on this date:
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nAnniversary of Hands Across America
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Africa Day
Africa Day
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nAnniversary of John Scopes’s indictment
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nTap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday
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nGeek Pride Day
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nWriter Ralph Waldo Emerson’s birthday
May Revolution Day in Argentina
Independence Day in Jordan
Birthday of actor Octavia Spencer
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Memorial Day in the U.S.A.
Memorial Day in the U.S.A.
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n(Last Monday in May)
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nNational Hamburger Day
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n(Last Monday in May)
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nPlan ahead:
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Check out my Pinterest boards for:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
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nMay holidays
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nMay birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in May
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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
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nJune holidays
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nJune birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in June
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