1. TAP DANCERS Old to New

2. BILL “BOJANGLES” ROBINSON - American Tap dancer and actor -Best known and most highly paid African American dancer/actor in 1 st half of 20 th century. -Known for teaching, dancing with, and acting with Shirley Temple -Staircase dance - Activist in fight against racism

3. HOWARD “SANDMAN” SIMS -Known as “Sandman” -Sprinkled sand on the floor of steps when he danced to amplify the sound -Danced in the Cosby Show (1990- Rudy’s tap dancing teacher) -Was featured in the movie Tap (Sammy Davis Jr., Gregory Hines, and Savion Glover)

4. NICHOLAS BROTHERS -African American dancing brothers (Fayard and Harold) -Performed acrobatic routines known as “flash dancing” -Performed throughout Philadelphia before moving to Hollywood and traveling through Europe -Fayrad was married 3 times and died of pneumonia in 2006 -Harold was married 4 times and died of a heart attack in 2000

5. SAMMY DAVIS JR. - American entertainer -Performed as a child -Went into military, but returned to performance acts -In 1954, he lost his left eye in a car accident -Victim of racism throughout his life and was a large financial supporter of the Civil Rights movement -Danced on Broadway, Las Vegas, Japan, and NYC -Performed with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley - Avid shooter- appeared in Western Films (Complimented by Jonny Cash)

6. GENE KELLY - American Performing Artist - Known for energetic and athletic dance style -Performed in Singing in the Rain - Fell out of fashion in late 1950s - First dancer to dance with an animated character (Jerry the Mouse) -Performed in Hollywood, on Broadway, and with MGM -Died in 1980 of a stroke

7. GREGORY HINES - Born in NYC - Learned from Howard Sims and Nicholas brothers - Performed with his brother in his younger years - Performed on Broadway and earned a Tony Award -Visited his idol Sammy Davis Jr. on his death bed -Performed in movie “White Nights” with Mikhail Baryshnikov -Influenced Savion Glover - Died of liver cancer at age of 57 in 20003

8. FRED ASTAIRE -American actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and musician -Performed for total of 76 years -Starred in 31 musical films and award winning television specials -Partnered regularly with Ginger Rogers - Danced in Hollywood, on Broadway, London, and MGM -Retired from dance 2, but kept returning to perform -Died of pneumonia in 1987 at age af 88

9. SAVION GLOVER -American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer -Interested in restoring African roots through tap -Tap style is known as “young and funk” -Taught by Gregory Hines -Nicknamed the Sponge- Because he learns very quickly -Created and teaches at schools for tap in New Jersey -Danced in many shows on Broadway and in a variety of movies (Happy Feet)