And She Set the Stage for Us
One recurrent theme during Barnard College's 2006 commemoration of
Josephine Baker's centenary was an appreciation of the impact she made
on African American culture—her artistic heritage and her lasting
contributions. In fact, the opening of the conference, "Josephine Baker:
a Century in the Spotlight" began with a performance by dancers and
musicians from the Studio Museum in Harlem's "Hoofer's House" program.
This group of improvisational tap dancers at the Museum was created as a
contemporary incarnation of the "Hoofer's Club," a back room performance
space in Lonnie Hicks' legendary Harlem's Comedy Club where, from the
1920s through the 1940s, such celebrated black performers as Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson, King Raustus Brown, John Bubbles, Charles "Honi"
Coles, and countless others came to strut their stuff.
In an improvised performance curated by The Kitchen's
Rashida Bumbray, eight women tap dancers
and four musicians from the Studio Museum in Harlem's "Hoofer's House"
came together to offer a special tribute to Josephine Baker, giving an
idea of what Baker's living legacy might look like. Dancing to jazz
standards and a couple of R&B classics, these talented women of color
paid homage to the woman they credit with having helped create a space
for them to dance.
Video Clips:
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Piano Intro
Hoofer's House Intro
Maya Jenkins, "Summertime"
Rhonda Jones
Maud Arnold, "Girl from Ipanema"
Chloe Arnold, "April in Paris"
Ayodele Cassel, "Morning Sunrise"
Adenike Sharpley, "A Sunday Kind of Love"
Hoofer's House Background
Chloe Arnold, Maud Arnold, Rhonda Jones, Rashida Bumbray, "Caravan"
Ayodele Cassel, Maya Jenkins
Adenike Sharpley, "The Down Low"
Finale
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