Originally broadcast: Saturday, August 15, 2020
Rebroadcast: Thursday, September 10, 2020

7:00pm EDT
Online via Zoom

To benefit the Folk Arts Center of New England

Richard Powers is a full-time instructor in dance history and contemporary social dance forms at Stanford University Dance Division, Department of Theater and Performance Studies. His principal focus since 1975 has been social dance forms, from the Renaissance to today. Specializations include 19th century American and European social dance, dances of the Ragtime Era and Jazz Ages, and currently evolving vernacular dance forms.

Richard’s presentation has three parts. First is the lively story of the crazy Ragtime Era dance mania, including the story of Vernon and Irene Castle, illustrated with 350 images from that time, which makes for a fast-paced talk. Then he traces the history of Swing dancing through 1939, complete with film clips from these eras. Finally, Richard gives a short class in jazz steps from the Swing Era Big Apple. No partner required.