Maxine Grant transcript, 2021-11-01
Scope and Contents
D.C. Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) is a citywide initiative to train community members in oral history skills, fund new and ongoing oral history projects, connect volunteers with oral history projects, and publicize existing oral history collections. DCOHC is a project of DC Public Library, HumanitiesDC, and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. This collection contains oral history interviews, transcripts, and indexes produced by DCOHC grantees.
Dates
- Creation: 2021-11-01
Biographical / Historical
Maxine Grant began hand dancing as a young child. She credits Hand Dance for helping her to overcome her shyness. In 1963, she danced on the Teenarama Dance Party television show. In the 1990s, she was the co-host of Breeze's Country, another Washington, D.C.-area dance show. Grant's masterful footwork is well known among 'Old School' hand dancers and has been documented over the years. Her footwork has earned her first place in dance competitions in different areas of the country. On occasion, Grant coordinates hand dancers to perform for cultural events within and around the D.C. region. Today, as an Executive Board member, she works assiduously to support the National Hand Dance Association's mission to preserve, educate, and promote the art form of Hand Dance.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.13 Terabytes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Maxine Grant, a lifelong D.C. resident, reminisces about Hand Dance beginning in the 20th century and continuing today. She discusses the changes that she has seen, from fast dancing to Hand Dance as it is called today. Grant shares her experiences dancing in different venues, providing dance instruction, and working with some of D.C.'s Hand Dance deejays. She talks about Hand Dance during the 2020-2022 pandemic, as well as presents her perspective about women's changing role in Hand Dance.
Topical
Repository Details
Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository