Article Lindy Hop: The Role of Social Dancing
Read about the rise of the Lindy Hop and the connection between dancing and Harlem life in the 1920s and 1930s.
Genre
Performances for Young Audiences
Find freedom in the healing power of Black music & movement.
With an Afro-futuristic vibe and a steam-punk look, Minty Fresh Circus features movement, music, and circus arts in a time-bending journey of redemption. Watch as the artists perform a range of spectacular circus and dance skills sourced from the African Diaspora, including vernacular dance, Lindy, hip hop, percussive hand games, and more. Conceived by Monique Martin, this U.S.-based circus show features an all-Black cast with a majority-Black creative team. Minty Fresh Circus celebrates the power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.
May 8, 2025
Eisenhower Theater, recommended for all ages
Estimated duration is approximately 70 minutes.
Are you a parent, caregiver, or adult looking for a listing of available public performances and times (May 8)? Find out more on the public show page!
We’re thrilled that you’ve joined us for a performance this season! We would like to hear from your students and you about the experience. After the performance, follow these steps to share feedback:
Each survey will take approximately five minutes to complete. The results will be used to inform future Kennedy Center Education program planning. Thank you in advance for sharing your valuable perspective!
Read about the rise of the Lindy Hop and the connection between dancing and Harlem life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The elements of hip hop came together in the Bronx borough of New York City in the early 1970s. From a whole lot of nothing—and a whole lot of imagination—hip hop took form.
Has it been a while since you’ve jumped rope? To get into the swing, find your old rope or unwind a length of clothesline. See what it feels like to jump again—on your own or with friends. One of the beauties of jumping rope? All you need is some space and a little rhythm and your body comes alive. This resource will provide you with some history, techniques, and opportunities to explore Double Dutch further.
Dancer Rujeko Dumbutshena and drummer Farai Malianga introduce traditional rhythms and movements from their native country Zimbabwe.
Professional development for educators. Summer intensives for young artists. Teaching artist guided activities. Performances for young audiences. Classroom lesson plans. Arts-focused digital media.
Kennedy Center Education offers a wide array of resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms of all types.
Our current teaching and learning priorities include:
A robust collection of articles, videos, and podcasts that allow students of all ages to explore and learn about the arts online.
In-person and virtual performances, along with supporting educational content to help guide learning.
Current approaches to arts integration in the classroom, inclusion, rigor, and adopting an arts integration approach at the school and district level.
An asynchronous online course that invites educators and administrators to think about our students’ disabilities as social and cultural identities that enrich our classrooms and communities.
The Vice President of Education is generously endowed by the
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.