This exhibition explores how African Diasporic Jazz dance has shaped British culture from the 18th century to the present day, from the Cakewalk to UK Jazz.
This exhibition, the first of its kind in Britain, places dance, rather than music, at the centre of the story, offering a perspective rarely seen in British exhibitions.
The journey begins with the early rhythms of tap dance, tracing its movement from African American communities into British popular entertainment and social dancing. It follows the evolution of jazz dance through the Foxtrot, Charleston, Tap and Lindy Hop, revealing how Black performers, musicians and dancers transformed British stages, ballrooms and clubs.
Pioneers including Billy Waters, Master Juba, Florence Mills, Josephine Baker, Peg Leg Bates and Buddy Bradley challenged ideas of race, class, disability and identity while bringing new movement vocabularies to British audiences.
The exhibition explores the vibrant 1920s and 1930s, when Charleston, Tap and Lindy Hop created new freedoms of expression, while provoking controversy and moral panic. London venues such as the Shim Sham Club became important spaces for cultural exchange.
From the 1940s to the 1970s, jazz dance helped shape Rock ’n’ Roll, Motown, the Twist, Funk, Disco and Northern Soul.
The story continues into the 1980s, when Black British dancers and groups including IDJ, Brothers in Jazz and Floor Technicians developed new approaches rooted in jazz, rhythm and African Diaspora traditions.
From music halls to contemporary street dance, the exhibition celebrates 200 years of movement, creativity, resilience and cultural exchange, showing how Black dance helped shape Britain’s dance identity.
It will be the first exhibition of its kind in Britain focused on dance.
This exhibition is presented as part of Black History Month.
Join us for the Opening Event of this exhibition, including a panel talk, on Wednesday 14th October, 6-8pm.
About the Jazz Dance Collective:
The Jazz Dance Collective is an educational hub for Tap Dance, Authentic Jazz, and UK Jazz. The Collective brings together the knowledge of Jazz, encompassing both its history and practice. These three disciplines of Jazz dance link its foundation and evolution, providing a coherent line to educate the future generation. Members of the Collective join together in projects, sharing space and discussion. The Collective works together to investigate and contribute to expanding the knowledge of Jazz using the wealth of information from its different aspects.
The Jazz Dance Collective is an organisation that is making Jazz history the foundation of its practice. Jazz was created by African Americans, emerging at a period to liberate the people from the pain and inequality of the New World. It was born out of oppression but gave great freedom to the wider African diaspora, working through pain and hardship using skill and joy. Jazz enriches and frees the soul.
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Contact: If you have any questions regarding this exhibition, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Gallery Cafe at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, London, E2 9PL
Access: Step-free entry to The Gallery Cafe is at the rear, through the garden. It is accessible through the gate located two doors to the left of the cafe’s main entrance. If you require access to an accessible toilet, please get in touch with us on 020 8980 2092 or email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Dates and Times: Tuesday 6th October - Sunday 8th November, 8.30am-4pm (please note, The Gallery Cafe is not open on Mondays)