New Orleans' Second Line Dancers Carry Joy and History | If Cities Could Dance

KQED Arts

26 Apr 201803:14

Summary

TLDRIn New Orleans, the vibrant second line dancing tradition is a cultural cornerstone, with every Sunday bringing streets alive with music and dance. Rodrick 'Scubble' Oliver, a local cook, embodies this spirit, passionately dancing from sun-up to sundown. His love for second line was ignited by his mother, who instilled in him the joy of movement. Now, he honors her memory with every step, ensuring her legacy lives on through the infectious rhythm that unites the community, turning Sundays into a celebration of life that erases the blues of the week.

Takeaways

🎉 New Orleans is known for its vibrant street culture, especially on Sundays, where people gather for parades, parties, and dancing.
💃 The second line dance style is characterized by a lack of strict rules, emphasizing personal expression and putting on a show.
👣 Footwork is a key element that distinguishes a really good second line dancer.
👵 The tradition of second line dancing is deeply rooted in the culture and passed down through generations.
👨‍🍳 Rodrick, also known as Scubble, is a cook by day and a passionate second line dancer from sun-up to sundown.
🏡 Growing up in the Treme area, one of the oldest neighborhoods, Rodrick was immersed in jazz and second line dancing from a young age.
🎵 The music, particularly the brass instruments like trombones and trumpets, is said to touch the soul and is central to the New Orleans experience.
🤗 The second line parades are a time for community, where people reconnect, share hugs and kisses, and dance together.
🙌 Rodrick's mother introduced him to second line dancing at a young age, and it became a way for him to honor her memory when she passed away.
🌟 The second line parades offer a respite from the week's hardships, providing a single day of joy that can make the entire week worthwhile.
👑 Rodrick sees himself as a role model for the younger generation, encouraging them to embrace their potential as 'young kings' and 'young queens'.

Q & A

What is the significance of Sunday in New Orleans according to the script?
-Every Sunday in New Orleans, people take over the streets for parading, partying, and dancing, which is a significant cultural event.
What is the second line dancing and how does it relate to the speaker's identity?
-Second line dancing is a style of dance that originated in the Treme area of New Orleans, and it is deeply ingrained in the speaker's culture and personal identity.
How does the speaker describe the footwork in second line dancing?
-The speaker emphasizes that footwork is crucial in second line dancing, and it separates a really good dancer from others.
What role does the speaker's grandmother play in his connection to second line dancing?
-The speaker's grandmother is mentioned as a part of the cultural heritage that includes second line dancing, indicating that it has been passed down through generations.
What is the speaker's daytime occupation, and how does it contrast with his weekend activities?
-The speaker is a cook by day, but he spends his weekends, from sun-up to sundown, participating in second line dancing.
How does the speaker's upbringing in the Treme area influence his dancing?
-Growing up in the Treme area, one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans, has instilled in the speaker a certain pep in his step and a deep connection to jazz and second line dancing.
What was the speaker's mother's wish regarding her passing, and how does it relate to his dancing?
-The speaker's mother wanted him to 'roll' or dance for her when she passed away, as she loved second line dancing as much as he does.
How does the speaker feel when he dances, and what does it represent for him?
-When the speaker dances, he feels his mother's presence and her smile, as if she is watching him. Dancing is a way for him to honor her memory.
What is the impact of attending a second line on one's week, according to the speaker?
-Attending a second line on Sunday can make one forget about six bad days of the week, as it uplifts the spirit and provides a sense of community and joy.
How does the speaker describe the atmosphere at a second line event?
-The speaker describes the atmosphere as positive and familial, with no negativity, where people come together, and everyone is treated like family.
What message does the speaker want to convey through his dancing to the younger generation?
-The speaker wants to inspire the younger generation by reminding them that they are 'young kings' and 'young queens' themselves, encouraging them to carry on the tradition of second line dancing.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Second Line Dancing in New Orleans

The paragraph introduces the vibrant culture of New Orleans, particularly focusing on the tradition of second line dancing. It describes the communal aspect of the dance, where there's no right or wrong way to dance, but the footwork is what distinguishes a skilled dancer. The narrator, Scubble, shares his personal connection to the dance, stating that it's part of his heritage and lifestyle. He mentions his grandmother's influence and his own dedication to the dance, which he practices from sun-up to sundown. The paragraph also touches on the origins of second line dancing in the Treme area, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans, and the impact of music on the soul, creating a sense of unity and family among the participants.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡New Orleans

New Orleans is a city in Louisiana, known for its rich cultural heritage, including its music, cuisine, and unique traditions. In the context of the video, it's the setting where the second line dancing tradition thrives. The city's vibrant atmosphere and cultural significance are central to the video's theme, showcasing how it influences and is intertwined with the local community's way of life.

💡Second Line Dancing

Second line dancing is a traditional New Orleans street parade dance style that is characterized by a brass band leading the parade and participants dancing in a line behind them. It's a form of social dance that emphasizes community and celebration. In the video, it's presented as a core part of the city's culture and a way for people to come together, as well as a personal passion for the speaker.

💡Footwork

Footwork in the context of second line dancing refers to the specific steps and movements that dancers perform with their feet. It's a critical aspect of the dance that sets skilled dancers apart. The video emphasizes the importance of footwork as a distinguishing feature of a good second line dancer, and it is used as a metaphor for the speaker's pride in their dancing ability and cultural heritage.

💡Treme

Treme is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans and is historically significant as the birthplace of jazz and the second line. The video uses Treme as a symbol of the deep roots of the city's cultural traditions and as a backdrop for the speaker's personal history with second line dancing, highlighting the neighborhood's influence on their identity and passion.

💡Jazz

Jazz is a music genre that originated in African American communities in New Orleans at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. It's integral to the city's cultural identity and often accompanies second line dancing. The video mentions jazz as a foundational element of New Orleans' culture, with the music's soulful and rhythmic nature being a key part of the second line experience.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, values, and beliefs that are passed down through generations within a community. In the video, the speaker's cultural heritage is deeply connected to second line dancing, which is portrayed as a living tradition that is both a source of pride and a way of preserving the community's history.

💡Community

Community in this context refers to the local population of New Orleans, particularly those involved in the second line dancing tradition. The video emphasizes the sense of togetherness and shared identity that the community experiences through the act of dancing together, highlighting the supportive and familial nature of these gatherings.

💡Energy and Stamina

Energy and stamina are essential for second line dancing, which can be physically demanding due to the duration and intensity of the performances. The speaker in the video boasts about their energy and stamina, suggesting that these qualities are not only necessary for dancing but also indicative of one's commitment and passion for the tradition.

💡Tradition

Tradition in the video refers to the long-standing customs and practices, such as second line dancing, that are upheld and celebrated within the community. The speaker's participation in these traditions is a way of honoring their ancestors and maintaining a connection to their roots, as well as a means of personal expression and joy.

💡Inheritance

Inheritance in this context is the passing down of cultural practices and values from one generation to the next. The video mentions that second line dancing is part of the speaker's blood, indicating that it's an inherited aspect of their identity. This concept is central to the video's theme of cultural continuity and the importance of preserving and celebrating one's heritage.

💡Role Model

A role model is someone who serves as an example or inspiration to others. In the video, the speaker acknowledges the importance of being a role model for younger generations, encouraging them to embrace their potential as 'young kings' and 'young queens.' This highlights the speaker's understanding of their influence and the responsibility that comes with being a part of a community tradition.

Highlights

New Orleans' unique Sunday street takeovers for parading and partying.

The second line dancing style has no strict rules, emphasizing individual expression.

Footwork is key to distinguishing a great second line dancer.

Second line dancing is a cultural tradition passed down through generations.

Rodrick, also known as Scubble, is deeply connected to second line dancing.

Scubble's grandmother was also a second line dancer, indicating its cultural significance.

Scubble's day job as a cook contrasts with his passion for second line dancing.

The Treme area's historical importance in the origins of jazz and second line.

Growing up in Treme instills a certain 'pep in your step'.

Scubble's mother introduced him to second line dancing at a young age.

Scubble's mother's passing and her request for dancing in her memory.

Dancing as a form of honoring Scubble's mother and keeping her spirit alive.

The transformative power of second line on a bad week, making Sundays special.

The unique atmosphere of New Orleans, with its music touching the soul.

The community and familial aspect of second line gatherings.

The absence of negativity and the unity among second line participants.

Scubble's role as a mentor, inspiring the younger generation.

The inevitability of aging and the need for new dancers to carry on the tradition.