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Tap dancing was developed in the mid-1800s and has evolved in many ways over the last few centuries. Its birth, evolution, and growth in popularity can be attributed to the dancers who learned and built upon the style, spreading it to others. While countless people have practiced this style of dance since its creation, there are a few who stand out as the most famous and influential tap dancers of all time. Here are just a few of those famous tappers and what they brought to tap dancing. If you want to start tapping, get a pair of adult tap shoes in Towson, MD, and turn to these dancers for inspiration. Master Juba Born William Henry Lane, Master Juba gained his stage name by becoming one of the most famous dancers of his time. Lane was a free-born black man from Rhode Island. He grew up observing the jig and clog dancers in his district. He learned from and adapted their dance styles to create a style that many people recognized as being uniquely his own. Of course, at the time, the dance style had not been given its own name yet. Before the Civil War, blacks and whites rarely performed on any stage together. However, there was one exception -- Master Juba. After winning many dance competitions against both blacks and whites in his district, Lane became known as the best dancer in the world. He was invited to join an all-white performing troupe. They toured the world, and he even danced for the likes of Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria, both of whom noted his unique style and the distinct tapping sound his dance steps made. After marrying and settling down, Lane opened his own dance studio and began to teach his unique style to students in England. Thus began the spread of what would become known as tap dancing. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Bill Robinson began dancing at the young age of 6, but he would not become a star until he was in his 50s. Along the way, he danced in many small-time shows and bars, slowly gaining fame. It was in New York that he was truly discovered. People began to hail Robinson for his exceptional dancing talent and unique sound -- credited to the wooden taps that he applied to the bottoms of his shoes. Once he'd achieved star status in the Big Apple, Robinson moved across the country to answer the call of Hollywood. There, he met with America's sweetheart, Shirley Temple. He became a coach and costar to the young dancer and actress. He tapped alongside her in The Little Rebel, which was an instant success. He went on to make 17 movies, many of them with Shirley Temple. Robinson was so influential in the world of tap that his birthday is now celebrated as National Tap Day. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Perhaps the most famous tap-dancing duo of all time, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers took Hollywood by storm in the 1930s and remain household names today. Astaire was at first reluctant to team up with Rogers; he'd spent his whole life in a performing duo with his sister, and didn't want to become part of another pair. However, the dancers had such remarkable chemistry that people soon found it impossible to mention one without the other. Rogers and Astaire had a great influence on the spread of tap to a worldwide audience, and were pioneers in filmed dance numbers. To this day, many people turn to Rogers and Astaire films for inspiration for their own dancing. These are but a few of the remarkable dancers that have graced the world of tap. If you think you're the next big thing in tap dancing, then get yourself a pair of adult tap shoes in Towson, MD, and start dancing! Artistic Costumes and Dance Fashions provides a wide selection of Adult Tap Shoes Towson MD and so much more! Visit us today http://www.artisticcostumes.com/ for more info!
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