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.
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