MrUSMC1999
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Jackson State University's Prancing J-Settes (Jackson, Mississippi)
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Southern University Fabulous Dancing Dolls Spotlight | Kaylon Mallet | 2019-2020
Marvin Price, April 11, 2020
The Spotlight Series Continues! Tonights Spotlight shines on the Wonder Woman of HBCU Dance herself, Ms. Kaylon Mallet. Whether it was her dancing, facials while dancing, technique, or the fact that she has a body of a female superhero, the fans could not get enough of Kaylon! She's been no stranger to the dance world. She has been killing the game for years! What I admire most about Kaylon is that she's always supportive of others. You will always see her out there supporting her friends no matter what it is that their doing. That doesn't get talked about enough. Lastly, She is always a standout whether it is on the field, in the stands, or in the classroom. She is a first class Doll! That is why the fans nicknamed her "Special K" . Everyone, help me congratulate Kaylon on an AWESOME season!
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases two examples of Historically Black College & Universities (HBCU) majorette dance lines.
This post also presents several excerpts from online articles and discussions about these predominately African American performance styles which are most closely associated with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The Addendum to this post presents some information about the television series Bring It! which showcases a community hip hop majorette dance group from Jackson, Mississippi.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who helped create and continue to help create these African American originated performance art forms.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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This post replaces a now deleted 2018 pancocojams post entitled “Documenting The Origin Of And Early Dates For Majorette Dance Lines And For Stomp & Shake Cheerleading”
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-history-of-majorette-dance-lines.html for an updated version of this 2020 post that is entitled "The History Of Majorette Dance Lines (a performance art that originated at historically Black American universities)."
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/southern-university-human-jukebox.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Southern University Human Jukebox & Dancing Dolls' Now Iconic 2014 Majorette Dance Line Performance Of "Can You Stand The Rain" (video & comments)".
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/stand-battles-changing-meaning-of.html for a related pancocojams post entitled "Stand Battles & The Changing Meaning Of "Majorettes" In African American Culture".
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Notice the differences in the dancing styles of the dance lines that are showcased in these two embedded videos.
Also notice that the online sources use several terms for these dance lines. Some people consider the referents "majorette dance lines", "hip-hop majorette dance lines, "j-setting", and "dance lines" to be equivalent terms while others believe that these terms refer to very different performance styles.
The use of different terms suggests that there's no fixed definition and no fixed referents for these performance styles, even though the first dance line to perform in one of those styles (Southern University's Fabulous Dancing Dolls), was formed more than fifty years ago in 1969.
These quotes were gleaned from my online research. Please add any information that you have about this subject in the comment section below.
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DEFINITIONS AND EXCERPTS ABOUT MAJORETTE DANCE LINES
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Some of these articles include vintage photographs, However, these photographs aren't included in these excerpts.
Excerpt #1
From https://www.dancespirit.com/dance-team-hbcu-danceline-2633698944.html "Why Danceline Is Much More Than the Halftime Show" by Maggie McNamara Mandal, Apr 04, 2019
"At historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), halftime is game time. Students and fans flock to the stadium to witness the soulful stylings of the showtime band and the fierce dancers who accompany them. Their movements are sharp, explosive, and perfectly synchronized as they bring the music to life for the people in the stands. This is danceline, and its appeal extends beyond the stadium walls.
Showtime Soul
The history of danceline is inextricably linked to HBCUs. "In 1947, HBCU bands decided to switch from the more traditional corporal marching-band style that you see at big schools to showtime band," says Kalé Woods, director of Heat Danceline in Oakland, CA, and assistant coach of Mahogany 'N Motion, the danceline team for Morehouse College. Showtime band maintains the precision-based element of marching band but adds an entertainment factor by incorporating some dancing by the band members themselves. "They basically brought the soul to marching band," Woods says.
The change in music also brought about a change in style for the bands' dance teams. Over the years it became more and more stylized to match the music. The specific style varies from school to school, reflecting each school's culture. "I think of it in terms of geography," Woods says. For example, the Dancing Dolls of Southern University in Louisiana, coincidentally the first danceline dance team, have a style that's prim and proper. "They're like Southern ladies, with excellent technique and very little getting down or gyrating," she says. Schools in Mississippi and Florida incorporate a more hip-hop–based style. Mahogany 'N Motion, which is made up of dancers from Georgia's all-girls HBCU Spelman College, but dances for Morehouse College's football team, attracts studio dancers. "A lot of us come from the West Coast, which doesn't have any HBCUs and, therefore, is unfamiliar with danceline," Woods says. This difference is reflected in a more jazz-based style, incorporating lots of turns and leaps.
Getting Technical
If the style varies so widely, what unites danceline dance as a unique form? First and foremost, it's distinguished from both majorette dance and drill, two forms also linked to college bands. "People tend to associate majorette dance with baton and flag work, along with tumbling stunts," Woods says. "Drill is associated with ROTC and rhythmic military-like step." That said, there is quite a bit of crossover, and Woods' danceline team, Heat, competes in majorette competitions”…
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Excerpt #2:
From https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/article_88bcedb0-f59a-11e9-ad69-c7e95ab7289f.html "Story of the Dancing Dolls: How beloved dance troupe brought 'pizzazz' to Southern 50 years ago" by Pam Bordelon, Oct. 16, 2019
" "Pizzazz." That's what Southern University's band director wanted in a dancing troupe to perform with his high-energy marching band.
And that's what Gracie Perkins gave Isaac “Doc” Greggs when he recruited her home from Kansas City a half-century ago.….Perkins created the Dancing Dolls, which celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special performance during Southern’s Homecoming festivities Nov. 2. [2019]
First, Perkins came up with the name.
“I knew my daughter loved dolls, so she (Perkins' sister) said just call them Dancing Dolls,” Perkins recalled. “Every little girl loves dolls.
With the name chosen, she went about assembling the first team of eight Dolls.
Having previously taught dance at Scotlandville High and Southern Lab schools, Perkins turned to her former students and contacted their parents.
“They were going to have to be committed, and that’s who we knew,” explained Perkins, who put a huge emphasis on academics, character, class and showmanship, traditions that continue to this day.
Micah Pegues is the current captain of the Fabulous Dancing Dolls, as the group is now called. A member since 2016, she takes pride in the group's rich history.
“The Southern University Fabulous Dancing Dolls undoubtedly are known for their poise, style, grace and precision,” she said. “These are attributes that I continue to work hard at mastering. To be with a brand that is known nationally for effortless class and techniques is a brand that I will cherish and protect.”
Dance skills weren’t necessarily at the top of Perkins' list when she formed that first team of Dancing Dolls.
“They didn’t have to be top of the line dancers … there were certain things I knew I wanted to do, like the high kick," she said. "I wanted dancers who could do things like that.”
The high kick became a staple of the Dancing Dolls, so did the headdress, stockings and long gloves.
“I remember the first song they danced to — ‘The Now Generation,’” said Perkins.
It’s one of many, many memories she cherishes from her time coaching the Dolls. Her favorite may be when the dance troupe and the band traveled to Houston for a debut appearance in the Astrodome. She had ordered new costumes for the Dolls, but when she went to pick them up at the train station before heading to Houston, the conductor wouldn’t hand them over because it was a Saturday and the station was closed.
Long story short, Perkins ended up pleading her case to Gov. John McKeithen, who promised to get the costumes to her.
“When we walked into the hotel, the boxes were stacked up in the lobby and the governor was sitting on one of them,” she recalled with a laugh. “These are the things that stick with you.”
Sarah Moody Thomas was one of the Dancing Dolls who made that crazy trip to play Texas Southern University back in 1969.
“We brought with us our accessories — hats, net stockings and gold boots, just in case,” she said. “I vividly remember opening the boxes, removing the sequined suits and capes and putting all of it on. The transformation was magical!””…
From http://atkinshighschoolnews.blogspot.com/2019/03/throwback-history-of-drum-majorette.html "Throwback: The History of the Drum Majorette" by Danielle Allen Posted 27th March 2019 by Atkins HS News
"The history of the drum majorette continues at HBCUs such as NC A&T in Greensboro and Winston Salem State University and is a distinct part of marching band culture in the South. You can see the popularity of this all-female group in our 1960s Atkins yearbooks (as pictured in the 1966 Atkins Maroon and Gold). Their high-energy, high-stepping performances at parades and football games have been a staple of college life for generations. For young black females, these groups have been symbols of “pride, self-confidence, and personal empowerment.” But where did this tradition originally come from?
Majorettes originated as a carnival dance from Rhineland Germany, where young women who perform this dance were the highlight of the show. When majorette dancing came to the US, the South quickly picked it up and put their own spin on things. Majorettes have traditionally been female auxiliaries for marching bands; the girls dress in spangled uniforms, toss batons into the air or twirl them in eight-count cadences of rigid and strict arm movements in time to the band's music, but that is more of an old school style.
Hip-hop majorette dancing today is high-energy, synchronized, rhythmic dance moves that draw from ballet, jazz, and many other modern dances. Teams of black females compete — or "battle" with other teams around the South.
Local HBCUs here in North Carolina with majorette teams include Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT), and North Carolina Central University (NCCU); these schools have large turnouts for their homecoming games and their (majorette/scarlette lace) dancers are the apart of the main attraction.
Back in the 1960’s women were seldom thought of as being “athletic,” though when majorette dancing came about it gave women of color an opportunity to display their talents while changing history. “….
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Excerpt #4
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J-Setting
"J-Setting is a style of dance popularized by the Prancing J-Settes, the popular collegiate women's danceline of Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South marching band. It originated in the late 1970s from African-Americans in the Jackson, Mississippi, area of the United States.[1]
This dance style is characterized by a lead and follow format where one dancer initiates a series of high-energy dance moves, and the other dancers join in the movement. J-Setting features specific dance steps based on Prancing J-Settes marching techniques including the "J-Sette Walk," the "Salt and Pepper," the "Strut," and the "Tip Toe". In particular, the "Salt and Pepper" is a type of prance step for which the Prancing J-Settes are named and known. It is a high-knee lift or "high step" style of marching. Alternating legs lift with a bent knee to bring the foot up to the height of the opposite knee before returning the foot to the ground.[2]
The JSU Prancing J-Settes typically march and perform in rows organized by height. J-Setting dancers also typically perform in a line or in multiple lines. While performing, dancers may also change dance formation similar to the way that marching bands change formation during shows on football fields.
The J-Setting style of dress is often modeled after the dance uniforms of the JSU Prancing J-Settes. It normally includes a one or two piece bodysuit or form-fitting garment that covers the torso and crotch; and hosiery with knee high boots on the legs. However, other types of garments are also worn during a performance.[3]
History and background
In 1970, Shirley Middleton and the other majorettes of the Jackson State University Marching Band met with then JSU president, Dr. John A. Peoples, to request that they be permitted to "put down their batons." The JSU President agreed; and as the majorette sponsor, Middleton assembled 18 female students to become the first Jaycettes (currently called J-Settes). Middleton, a formally trained ballet dancer, established technical performance standards for the J-Settes, as well as, standards for academic and personal behavior for its members when they were not performing. Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., then Chair of the JSU Department of Music, described the new dance team as "the thrill of a thousand eyes." During Middleton's tenure, performances included dance routines to songs such as "James Brown's "Make it Funky," and "Hot Pants" as performed by the JSU Marching Band.[4]”…
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Notice that this Wikipedia page indicates that j-setting originated in the late 1970s, but documents that “in 1970 Shirley Middleton and the other majorettes of the Jackson State University Marching Band met with then JSU president, Dr. John A. Peoples, to request that they be permitted to "put down their batons." The JSU President agreed... Middleton assembled 18 female students to become the first Jaycettes (currently called J-Settes)”…
Middleton’s meeting with the JSU President and the subsequent formation of the Jaycettes occurred before the dates for the early beginnings of Hip Hop which https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop gives as "the mid 1970s".
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Excerpt #5
From https://www.facebook.com/597106394018109/posts/majorette-vs-hip-hop-majorette-old-school-vs-new-schoolmajorettes-performed-orig/684842355244512/
Concrete Rose Dance Company
February 12, 2019 ·
Majorette vs. Hip Hop Majorette 🌹
Old School vs. New School
"🌹Majorettes performed originally a typical carnival dance originating in the Rhineland, where the young women who perform this dance are called "Tanzmariechen" (Dance Marys) in German or Dansmarietjes in Dutch. During the carnival the normal form of government is parodied. Baton twirling and majorettes spread here to Canada by the late 1930s and early 1940s, and majorettes were twirling and strutting in other countries by the 1960s.Majorettes have traditionally been female auxiliaries for marching bands; the girls dress in spangled uniforms, toss batons into the air or twirl them in eight-count cadences of rigid-arm movements in time to the band's music.
That's old-school‼️
🌹Hip-hop majorette dancing is high-energy, synchronized, rhythmic dance moves that draw from ballet, jazz, modern dance, hip-hop and gymnastics. Teams of black females compete — or "battle" — with other teams around the South. Just like traveling sports teams, these women are on the road almost every weekend at competitions held year-round.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's auxiliary, Elite, was the first such dance group in Chattanooga 10 years ago. Ladies of Excellence is believed to have been the first teen competitive dance team to form in Chattanooga about seven years ago. They've since been joined by Royal Envy, RAH Spirit and Power in Motion.
Undoubtedly, the most famous teen troupe is the Dancing Dolls of Jackson, Miss., who are the stars of "Bring It!"
The Dolls were founded in 2001 by Dianna Williams.
🌹
The most important evolution in black majorette dancing is the “grandstand,” which was first put into motion in 1970 by Shirley Middleton, a former member of the Prancing Jaycettes (currently called the J-Settes) at Jackson State University who led the charge for majorettes to take more control over the way they presented themselves. They dropped the batons in order to free themselves up for more flavorful routines, which came to be defined by pop-locking arms and deep pelvic thrusts, complex line formations, high kicks and silky athleticism. #Blackhistorymonth #BlackDance #MajoretteHERstory #CRDC"
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Excerpt #6
From https://www.lennyletter.com/story/hbcu-majorettes-shaped-my-idea-of-black-womanhood
…"There is something special about the HBCU majorette. She, who has mastered the fine art of pinning a full set of tracks into a performance-ready ponytail. She, who has ballerina moves with the swag of Lackawanna Blues. She, who over generations has perfected the all-important bleacher routine, aka “stands,” aka “grandstands,” and sees them popping up in music videos all over the world.
Everything they do — from the way they sit to the way they stand to the way they walk out of a stadium — is sculpted and refined in a way that, to me, reflects a desire to celebrate and portray ourselves highly in a world that rarely does. The sequined headpieces that act as crowns, the cutouts in the leggings that embrace, not hide, large thighs, the capes that add an extra side of drama just because.
More than a dance team, they are a force, a movement, a subculture that was shaped, fashioned, and formed by and for black women (though a whole subsect of black gay men has adopted it as well). Previously defined solely by the twirling batons and drum-major-type uniforms, in the hands of black women, majorette has been transformed and expanded to an artistic style of its own, whose routines sing just as loudly as the instruments blaring behind them.
The most important evolution in black majorette dancing is the “grandstand,” which was first put into motion in 1970 by Shirley Middleton, a former member of the Prancing Jaycettes (currently called the J-Settes) at Jackson State University who led the charge for majorettes to take more control over the way they presented themselves. They dropped the batons in order to free themselves up for more flavorful routines, which came to be defined by pop-locking arms and deep pelvic thrusts, complex line formations, high kicks and silky athleticism.
Grandstands, or “j-setting,” in particular are a series of eight-counts designed to be executed from the confined space of the bleachers while still managing to have as much visual impact as possible. They have names and personalities of their own, can be started in ripple or in sequence, and though they vary from team to team, they always adhere to the same basic, hip-throwing style. On Bring It!, grandstands are saved for the last, magnanimous “stand battle” that ultimately determines the winner at the end of each episode."
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Excerpt #7
From https://bandhead.org/forum/topics/definition-of-majorette "DEFINITION OF MAJORETTE" Posted by Chicago Band Head on April 23, 2017
"Hey ya'll.
Bring It seems to be taking blame for the distorting what majorette is or what now people are calling "hip hop majorette".
I dismiss all of that silliness. However, I come from a marching band background and I have host 3 competitions in Chicago; The Divas and Gents Dance and Drumline Competition. It features high school dance teams, most of whom are band dancers.
I have always stated that the style of dance is majorette. I want to introduce creative dance at a future comp but I'm not totally sold on the category. I've seen majorette teams and hip hop teams compete in creative and I think it's so stupid. How can the judges call that? I only do team field show.
Anyway, I think a lot of community band teams don't know what majorette is anymore. What is it to do? What do you think it can be defined as?
This is what I told the teams this year: "Form of dance that incorporates hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and a mixture of lyrical dance all together. Its high energy, fast paced, fun, energetic, and entertaining. It also incorporates jumps, leaps, kicks, splits, and toe touches. Think HBCU Dance Teams."
Reply
Christopher, April 23, 2017
"majorette
noun ma·jor·ette \ˌmā-jə-ˈret\
Definition of majorette for English Language Learners
: a girl or woman who marches with a band and spins a baton"
Majorette. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2017, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majorette
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Reply
VenomTip, April 24, 2017
"What do you want the creative dance to look like? If you're going for HBCU Style routine, then I would say something like HBCU Creative Half-time... You may need to think on that.
I am NOT a fan of calling what we see with majority black bands Majorette dancing. They are NOT majorettes. They are dancers. Some lines are rooted from an existing majorette team that put down their batons and never picked them back up and held on to their historical names. However, once the batons were gone they were no longer majorettes. I would even venture to say that most dance lines don't consider their style of dance "majorette"."
Reply
Chicago Band Head April 24, 2017
You're right, I wouldn't call the Dolls, The Foxes, or a team like Ebony Fire majorettes. Back when I marched in the 90s, some dance teams in Chicago were called "Majorettes" even tho they no longer twirled batons. But a lot of community teams are now taking whats on Bring It as gospel. Or now, they're having categories called "hip hop majorette". They call that the bring it style lol."
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ADDENDUM: BRING IT! TELEVISION SERIES
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bring_It!_(TV_series)
"Bring It! is an American dance reality television series
that debuted March 5, 2014, on Lifetime.[1],,] Concurrent, Lifetime added a traveling
tour, Bring It Live![6] Lifetime renewed for the show for a fifth season, which
premiered on March 2, 2018.[7] However, according to Dianna Williams, the show
has no[w] been cancelled, due to the fact that some girls graduated off the team
and Dianna Williams who moved to Atlanta.
[...]
Premise
Bring It! is set in Jackson, Mississippi and features Coach
Dianna "Miss D" Williams and her Dollhouse Dance Factory, home of
Miss D's Dancing Dolls team,[8] which was founded in 2001. The troupe has over
15 Grand Champion titles and more than 100 trophies, and consists of children
aged 10 to 17. The show also features the Baby Dancing Dolls, consisting of
children under the age of 11.
The team competes in hip-hop majorette competitions,[8] with
their main focus being on the Stand Battle (a routine where two teams face each
other and alternate "stands" (routines), which are called by the
captain depending on what stand the other team performs). The team slogan (both
the Dancing Dolls and the Baby Dancing Dolls) is "Dancing Dolls For
Life" (popularly shortened to DD4L, featured on much of their gear)."...
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The Jackson, Mississippi Dancing Dolls dance group that are featured in the Bring It! television series have no connection to Southern University & A&M College's Fabulous Dancing Dolls (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). However, my guess is that the reason why that renown HBCU dance line changed their name from "Dancing Dolls" to "Fabulous Dancing Dolls" is to further differentiate themselves from that widely known television hip hop majorette dance team.
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