Reply to the following answers to the questions, for example “I agree with you because…” DO NOT answer the questions.
Answer each piece for 50 wor ds. DO NOT answer each question for 50 wo rds, for each piece answer 50 wor ds.
Piece#1: (50 wor ds)
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmJowrBwOY
1) Did you know about the Nicholas Brothers? (If so, how did you know about them?)
No, I did not ever hear about the Nicholas Brothers by name. The scene from Chattanooga Choo Choo with Dorothy Dandridge I have seen, but I did not know the Nicholas Brothers by name or that they were as important as they were in history of dance.
2) What were the contributions of the Nicholas Brothers to our society besides the fact that they opened the door for minority performers?
The Nicholas Brothers contributed to our society, besides opening the doors to minority performers, by also pushing the boundaries of tap dance. Their styles of dancing was their own, as a duo and even as individuals. Dancing on the band stands was really creative and they came up with that, along with a procession of splits without hands.
3) Do you see any improvements toward equality in the entertainment industry in the US today?
I do believe I see an improvement towards equality in the entertainment industry of the US. Though one can say there is now an equal chance and opportunity for showbiz no matter your race, there is still a long way to go. At least now there are tv networks and movies solely based on characters of different cultures and diversity is embraced more than before.
4) Personal reflections and observations.
I really enjoyed this documentary and learning about the Nicholas Brothers. It was heartwarming in a lot of ways, and inspiring. They were so passionate and dedicated to their craft, it definitely showed. So much in Hollywood and dance history they were a part of and pioneered and I am so glad now that I know them by name and how important they are.
Piece #2:(50 wor ds)
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTmJowrBwOY
1) Did you know about the Nicholas Brothers? (If so, how did you know about them?)
I have never heard about the Nicholas Brothers duo creation living in Russian Society, because African American dance elements, styles mostly refer to African countries, and Western hemosphere countries’ culture. They have common interests, plot and tradition, which they could share together. The main point is that Russian society would not understand the meaning of this tap duo dance, and that is why Russian culture is totally different from the African American one, and it is so difficult to find common interests in both of them, and that was the main reason, why I did not hear about “The Nicholas Brothers Story”
2) What were the contributions of the Nicholas Brothers to our society besides the fact that they opened the door for minority performers?
The contributions of the Nicholas Brothers in my opinion has a big influence to our society. For example Their acrobatic and athletic dance style, which often featured high-flying leaps and splits, revolutionized the art of tap dancing and inspired many future dancers. In addition, they were known for their elegant and sophisticated stage presence, and they helped to bring tap dancing to a wider audience. Overall, the Nicholas Brothers made significant contributions to the world of dance and entertainment, as well as to the broader fight for civil rights and racial equality.
3) Do you see any improvements toward equality in the entertainment industry in the US today?
Also, I would like to mention the improvements towards equality in the entertainment industry in the U.S. They were also trailblazers in breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry and helped pave the way for other Black performers. This breakdown is so important in the society nowadays, because it cr eate a racial equality between several different ethnicities and help cultures negotiating with each other, which is appreciative in the art-creative world.
4) Personal reflections and observations.
This performance gives me a clear understanding of the African American culture. I also realize that the plot of their cultural representation include an idea of happy motives and give a lot of positive emotions. After watching this video I deepened into our lives’ meaning, and recognize that life is full of beautiful moments. The calm melody with the funny elements and the light openly dancing movements demonstrated me the African American cultural outlook and vision, which gives me an inspiration and a lot of positive motivation.