Product Description

In 1937, the nation was struggling to recover from the Great Depression. The Big Apple dance was an elixir in hard times; Americans from every background let loose in this infectious circle dance.This fascinating documentary portrays the Big Apple craze from its serendipitous discovery and explores the African ceremonial roots of this exuberant dance.
As this video reveals, it was more than just a dance: it was a unifying experience that provided healing and joy at a time when there was little to celebrate. Cued by a caller, dancers performed moves from the Lindy Hop, Shag, and Charleston, and popular jazz steps like Trucking and Pecking. Individual dancers or couples were invited to “Shine” in the center of the circle.
A documentary including rare archival dance film footage and historical commentary. Written and directed by Judy Pritchett after six years of research on the topic