The Hustle Dance, a vibrant and dynamic partner dance born from the disco era, has a rich history deeply rooted in the Nuyorican and Black American communities of New York City. More than just a series of steps, the Hustle embodies a spirit of innovation, social connection, and groundbreaking gender dynamics. This article delves into the fascinating origins of the Hustle, its evolution, and the passionate efforts to preserve its legacy for future generations. Drawing from insightful conversations with leading figures in the Hustle community, including legendary dancer and choreographer Maria Torres, dance historian and archivist Cassie Mey, and contemporary Hustle artist Abdiel, we explore the captivating story of this globally resonant dance form.
The Origins and Evolution of the Hustle Dance
Roots in Nuyorican and Black American Communities
Emerging in the 1970s, the Hustle dance is intrinsically linked to the burgeoning disco scene and the cultural dynamism of New York City. Its name itself reflects the energetic and syncopated footwork that characterizes the dance. Unlike many partner dances with rigid gender roles, the Hustle broke ground by fostering a fluid dynamic where leadership and following were not dictated by gender. This revolutionary aspect allowed for a diverse array of individuals to connect on the dance floor, united by improvisation and musicality.
Alt text: Maria Torres, a leading figure in Hustle dance, demonstrates a Hustle move with interviewer Ali Rosa-Salas during a PillowTalk session at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Gender Neutrality and Social Dynamics
A defining feature of the Hustle is its gender-neutral approach to lead and follow roles. As Ali Rosa-Salas, Associate Curator at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, points out, “The roles of leader and follower in Hustle, unlike other social dances, are really gender neutral. A man, a woman, non-binary person could lead or could follow. And that’s been a core part of the movement form since its inception.” This unique characteristic fostered inclusivity and allowed for a more egalitarian and expressive partnership on the dance floor, contributing significantly to its widespread appeal and social significance.
Maria Torres’ Early Encounters and Journey
Maria Torres, a pivotal figure in Hustle history, recounts her first encounter with the dance as a deeply personal and transformative experience. It wasn’t in a studio or club, but within the warmth of her family home. “My first experience with Hustle was at my home,” Torres shares. “My cousins used to come over on weekends to my house and we would dance… my cousins one weekend… said, ‘Oh, you gotta, we gotta teach you, we gotta teach you this dance.'” Immediately captivated by its “amazing intricacy and musicality,” Torres immersed herself in learning the Hustle, practicing relentlessly and absorbing diverse styles across different boroughs of New York City. Her dedication and passion propelled her to master the dance, not just technically, but also in its improvisational and partner-centric essence.
The Hustle’s Impact on Maria Torres’ Career
Torres’ mastery of the Hustle opened doors to a remarkable career spanning Broadway, television, and various facets of the entertainment industry. Her early successes in dance competitions, including the prestigious Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden, were instrumental in launching her professional journey. Recalling her Harvest Moon Ball experience, Torres describes the intimidating yet exhilarating atmosphere of Roseland, a renowned dance venue. Despite a minor mishap during her performance, she and her partner Melvin Scurry captivated the audience and judges with their improvisational flair, unknowingly turning a slip into a celebrated moment. This early recognition led to opportunities in dance groups, scholarships, and eventually, national representation with Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
Alt text: A dynamic performance shot of Maria Torres and John Boots improvising the Hustle at the 1996 Hustle USA competition, a key event in the dance’s resurgence.
The First Resurgence and Documentation
While the Hustle’s initial wave of popularity waned with the rise of rock and roll, the dance never truly disappeared, remaining alive in underground scenes and dedicated communities. A significant resurgence began in the 1990s, spearheaded in part by Maria Torres and fueled by a desire to honor the legacy of dancers like Eddie Vega. Recognizing the importance of preserving this cultural heritage, Torres organized Hustle USA competitions in the 90s, and videographer Gregory Harrison meticulously documented these events. This foresight proved invaluable as these recordings, later shared on platforms like YouTube, became crucial resources for a new generation discovering the Hustle. Torres’ duet with John Boots at the 1996 Hustle USA competition, captured by Harrison, stands as a testament to the improvisational beauty of the dance and a vital piece of Hustle history accessible to a global audience.
Archiving and Preserving Hustle History
The Importance of Oral History – Cassie Mey and NYPL
Cassie Mey, Dance Oral History Producer for the Jerome Robbins Dance Division at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, emphasizes the critical role of oral history in preserving dance traditions, particularly those like the Hustle that have been historically underrepresented in formal archives. “Dance is an oral tradition,” Mey explains, “like it’s passed along from person to person… And how deeply moving that can be to, to witness that and to hear those personal stories. And that, that gives us a way of, a way into history that just reading a book… it’s unique.” Her work at the NYPL focuses on actively seeking out and documenting the stories of dance artists, especially those from street and club dance communities, ensuring their voices and histories are preserved for posterity.
Addressing Archival Silences
Mey highlights the concept of “archival silences,” referring to the gaps in representation within archives, particularly concerning street and club dance forms and Black dance traditions. Recognizing this historical imbalance, the Jerome Robbins Dance Division has made a conscious effort to expand its collections to include these vital narratives. This proactive approach involves collaborating directly with dance artists and communities, acknowledging the cultural significance of their traditions and working to rectify historical omissions in archival records. By prioritizing these underrepresented voices, the NYPL aims to create a more comprehensive and inclusive archive of dance history.
Methodology of Documenting Street and Club Dances
In documenting street and club dances, Mey and the NYPL have adopted methodologies that prioritize the agency and perspectives of the dance artists themselves. A key element is inviting narrators to choose their interviewers, fostering conversations led by individuals within their own communities who possess a deep understanding of the dance form and its cultural context. Furthermore, recognizing the often-underfunded nature of dance and the invaluable contributions of dance elders, the NYPL provides honorariums to narrators, acknowledging the significance of their stories and offering tangible support. This approach aims to “decolonize the archive,” empowering dance communities to shape their own historical narratives and ensuring authentic representation.
Interconnectivity of NYC Dance Ecology
Mey’s archival work reveals the rich interconnectivity within New York City’s dance ecology. Through oral histories, she has uncovered unexpected links between various dance forms, including the Hustle and Breaking. Insights from figures like Charlie Rock, an original Zulu King, illustrate how these seemingly disparate dance styles were intertwined within the social and cultural landscape of NYC. The Hustle, for instance, served not only as a vibrant social dance but also as a bridge-building activity after competitive dance battles, fostering community and connection. This interconnectedness underscores the multifaceted and dynamic nature of New York City’s dance scene, a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse cultural influences and artistic expressions.
The Contemporary Renaissance of the Hustle Dance
Abdiel’s Entry Point and Personal Connection
Abdiel, a contemporary Hustle dancer and co-creator of the dance theater work “Do the Hustle,” offers a unique perspective on the dance’s ongoing relevance and contemporary renaissance. His initial exposure to the Hustle was through the codified, commercialized ballroom version, which he found lacking in the authentic spirit and flavor he later discovered. It was upon moving to New York City and witnessing the Hustle danced by its original culture bearers that Abdiel truly connected with the dance. He found resonance in its social nature, improvisational freedom, and, importantly, its embrace of diverse identities, particularly within the queer community. For Abdiel, the Hustle became a space for personal expression and belonging, a dance form where he could fully embody his identity.
Alt text: Abdiel and Christine Bendel showcase the contemporary evolution of the Hustle in a performance excerpt from “Do The Hustle,” highlighting its theatrical potential.
“Do the Hustle” Dance Theater Project
Driven by a desire to honor the Hustle’s cultural heritage and explore its theatrical potential, Abdiel co-created “Do the Hustle,” a dance theater work that blends performance, social dance class, and party elements. This innovative project aims to break free from traditional Eurocentric performance contexts and return the Hustle to its social dance floor roots. “Do the Hustle” is structured in three parts, engaging audiences not just as spectators but as active participants, learning the dance, understanding its history, and experiencing its inherent social and performative nature. The project emphasizes the social dance floor as a performance space, recognizing that every dancer, in their self-expression and connection with others, is inherently performing.
Integrating Culture Bearers and Intergenerational Transmission
A cornerstone of “Do the Hustle” is the integration of living culture bearers, representing multiple generations of Hustle dancers. This intergenerational approach is crucial for the transmission of Hustle history and tradition, moving beyond written records to embody the dance’s legacy through physical presence and shared experience. As Abdiel explains, “In that performance that you saw, there were five generations represented from their 20s all the way in their two dancers in their 60s. And that’s, that’s really important because that’s how in these communities of practice, oral tradition and history is passed on. It’s not necessary through books and writing. It’s through the body, right? The embodiment and that shared experience…” By bringing together dancers across generations, “Do the Hustle” not only showcases the Hustle’s vibrant past and present but also ensures its continued vitality and evolution for the future.
Conclusion
The Hustle dance stands as a testament to the power of social dance to shape culture, foster community, and transcend boundaries. From its origins in the heart of New York City’s Nuyorican and Black American communities to its global resurgence today, the Hustle’s story is one of innovation, inclusivity, and enduring spirit. Through the passionate efforts of culture bearers like Maria Torres, archivists like Cassie Mey, and contemporary artists like Abdiel, the legacy of the Hustle is being actively preserved and reimagined, ensuring that this dynamic and historically significant dance continues to inspire and move generations to come. Explore the world of Hustle dance, delve into its rich history, and experience the joy of movement and connection that it offers. Discover local Hustle dance classes or online resources to begin your own journey with this captivating dance form.
