Discover the fascinating history behind the iconic Turkey Trot dance craze that swept the nation in the 1900s. This energetic and flamboyant dance was a banned animal dance. In this video, we’ll delve into the story behind the Turkey Trot, exploring its origins, evolution, and the cultural significance it held during the tumultuous 1910s. From its Edwardian roots to its widespread adoption by the mainstream, we’ll examine the key factors that contributed to the Turkey Trot’s enduring popularity. Join us as we take a step back in time and uncover the captivating tale of the Turkey Trot, a true dance phenomenon of the 20th century.
The Turkey Trot was more than just a dance; it was a cultural phenomenon that swept the nation in the 1920s. As the world was changing rapidly, people were looking for ways to express themselves and let loose. The Turkey Trot, with its unique steps and energetic vibe, became a symbol of the era’s social changes, reflecting the freedom and rebellion that defined the Roaring Twenties.
The Turkey Trot is believed to have originated in San Francisco’s Barbary Coast around 1909 before spreading east. It was popularized on the vaudeville stage by performers like Blossom Seeley and spread to Broadway. The Turkey Trot was a variation of the one-step, performed to fast, syncopated ragtime music. It was characterized by a bouncy, trotting movement accompanied by a flapping of the elbows, mimicking a turkey. Dancers would also do sideways hops and kicks. Over time, the Turkey Trot spread to other communities, where it was adapted and modified to fit local styles. Its evolution was a testament to the power of dance to bring people together.
The turkey trot created an Outcry from society. With its physical contact and “wild” movements, the Turkey Trot was denounced by many as immoral and suggestive. Moralists condemned it alongside other “animal dances” like the Grizzly Bear and Bunny Hug, claiming the dances mimicked the “sex life” of animals. These allegations led to Widespread bans. The Vatican publicly condemned the dance, and cities across the United States banned it in dance halls. Even President-elect Woodrow Wilson refused to hold an inaugural ball in 1913, fearing the scandal that might arise if guests danced the Turkey Trot. The controversy had an unintended side effect: it fueled the dance’s notoriety and drove more people to learn it. The backlash was so severe that some people lost their jobs for performing the dance. In one instance, 15 women employed by a Philadelphia publisher were fired for dancing the Turkey Trot on their lunch break.
The pivotal moment for the Turkey Trot came when it was featured in a popular Broadway show by a famous dancer. Around 1913, the popular and respectable married dancing couple, Vernon and Irene Castle, helped tame the wilder “animal dances” for a mainstream audience. Their elegant, simplified versions of ragtime dances made them more socially acceptable.Their performance sent shockwaves across the country, and soon everyone was doing the Turkey Trot. The dance became a national sensation, with people of all ages and backgrounds dancing the Turkey Trot.
The Turkey trot quickly fell Out of fashion: While the dance was still remembered, it fell out of fashion, paving the way for the the smooth and sophisticated Foxtrot to replacing it as the ballroom dance of choice by the 1920s. It left a legacy as a fad. By the Jazz Age, the Turkey Trot and other similar dances were seen as relics of a bygone era. They represented a transitional period of social dancing, paving the way for the more polished ragtime and swing dances that would define the Roaring Twenties.
The dance may have faded, but the name remains popular. The first Turkey Trot was held in 1896 in Buffalo, New York, hosted by the YMCA. This race is considered the oldest continuously running footrace in the world and has continued every Thanksgiving since. The oldest turkey trot race run by turkeys is in Cuero Texas. It began in November 1912. Estimates told of 30,000 people flocking to town to see over 18,000 turkeys herded down Main Street. Now they race turkeys against their sister city Worthington, Minnesota, who started Turkey King day in 1938. I had the privilege of watching the turkeys race live and in person this year.
In summary, the Turkey Trot’s impact on dance and culture in the 1900’s was huge. It reflected the era’s social changes, brought people together, and paved the way for future dance styles like the Charleston. Its legacy can still be seen today, with many modern dance styles like the Foxtrot drawing on its energetic and carefree vibe.
So, what do you think about the Turkey Trot? Let me know in the comments! If you’re interested in more dance crazes of the past, be sure to check out my next video, where we’ll be exploring the fascinating story behind the iconic dance styles that shaped the 20th century.
Holly Tomazin
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References
https://www.turkeyfest.org/cuero-turkey-history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_trot
https://blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear/2014/11/its-scandalous-its-immoral-its-the-turkey-trot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_trot_(dance)
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