Jazz Dance in British Culture

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. About 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. Read more Toggle Photography