The Hustle, a vibrant and dynamic partner dance born from the disco era, has captivated hearts and dance floors worldwide. Originating in the Nuyorican and Black American communities of 1970s New York City, this fast-paced, syncopated dance uniquely explores gender and power dynamics, setting it apart from other social dances. Unlike traditional partner dances, The Hustle embraces gender neutrality in leading and following roles, allowing for diverse expressions and partnerships. Today, The Hustle is experiencing a global resurgence, fueled by its infectious energy and rich cultural history. This article delves into the origins of The Hustle, its remarkable journey through time, and the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate this iconic dance form.
The Birth of a Dance: Tracing the Roots of The Hustle
The story of The Hustle is deeply intertwined with the social and cultural landscape of 1970s New York City. Emerging from the vibrant nightlife and house parties, it quickly became a phenomenon, reflecting the energy and diversity of the city’s dance communities. Maria Torres, a legendary figure in Hustle history, recalls her first encounter with the dance at home, during family gatherings.
“My cousins used to come over on weekends, and we would dance,” Maria explains. “It was mostly salsa, but one weekend, they said, ‘We gotta teach you this dance.’ When they showed me The Hustle, I fell in love. It had such amazing intricacy and musicality.”
This initial spark ignited a lifelong passion in Maria, leading her to immerse herself in the local dance scene. She practiced tirelessly with her sisters, exploring the nuances of leading and following, and ventured into studios across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, each borough boasting its unique Hustle style.
“Every borough had a different style,” Maria notes. “Long Island had a different style. And I paid attention to that. So I said, I’m going to be the best in this dance.”
Alt text: Maria Torres, a Hustle dance icon, leads an audience member in a demonstration of The Hustle during a PillowTalk session.
Driven by a desire to master the dance and connect with diverse partners, Maria’s dedication propelled her into the competitive dance world. Her journey highlights the organic growth of The Hustle from social gatherings to organized competitions, marking a significant phase in its evolution.
From House Parties to Center Stage: The Hustle’s Rise to Prominence
The 1970s witnessed The Hustle explode in popularity, moving from intimate house parties to bustling dance clubs and even prestigious competitions. Maria Torres’s early experiences reflect this trajectory, as she transitioned from weekend dances with cousins to competing at the Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden.
“Walter and Gloria Darian… encouraged me to enter this big, huge competition,” Maria recounts. Partnered with Melvin Scurry, she faced over 200 couples, navigating the daunting atmosphere of Roseland, a legendary dance venue. Despite a minor mishap during their routine, their performance captivated the judges, propelling them into the top 20.
This success marked a turning point for Maria, opening doors to dance groups, scholarships, and national competitions. The Hustle became her gateway to diverse dance styles and performance opportunities. She emphasizes the dance’s versatility, describing it as “the jazz of partner dancing,” allowing for improvisation, musicality, and personal expression.
Alt text: A dynamic duo showcases the energy and complex footwork of The Hustle in a ballroom dance competition.
Maria’s journey culminated in representing Fred Astaire Dance Studios and achieving recognition at the United States Ballroom Championships. These experiences solidified her foundation in dance and underscored The Hustle’s growing influence within the broader dance landscape.
The Hustle’s Enduring Legacy: Beyond the Disco Era
While the initial disco craze faded, The Hustle never truly disappeared. Maria Torres emphasizes its underground persistence, transitioning from clubs to studios and evolving with each generation of dancers. She notes that the dance’s resurgence in the 1990s was partly sparked by the passing of Eddie Vega, a celebrated Hustle dancer.
“One of the things that I wanted to, that I promised is that we wouldn’t let Hustle die,” Maria states, reflecting on her commitment to preserving the dance’s legacy. This promise led to the creation of Hustle USA competitions in the 1990s, aimed at bringing the community back together and passing the torch to a new generation.
Video documentation, pioneered by Gregory Harrison, played a crucial role in this resurgence. Footage of Maria and her partner John Boots at the 1996 Hustle USA competition, for instance, became a vital resource for those discovering The Hustle in later years. These videos, shared online, introduced the dance to a global audience and facilitated a renewed interest in its history and practice.
Alt text: A still frame from a video capturing Maria Torres and John Boots in an improvisational Hustle performance at the 1996 Hustle USA competition.
Maria’s workshops and mentorship further fueled the revival, drawing in new dancers and reconnecting veteran Hustle enthusiasts. Her dedication ensures that The Hustle continues to thrive, adapting and evolving while retaining its core essence and cultural significance.
Archiving the Movement: Preserving Hustle History for Future Generations
Cassie Mey, Dance Oral History Producer for the Jerome Robbins Dance Division at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, highlights the importance of documenting dance histories, especially those often underrepresented in traditional archives. She emphasizes the oral tradition inherent in dance, where knowledge is passed down through personal interactions and embodied practice.
“Dance is an oral tradition, like it’s passed along from person to person,” Cassie explains. Recognizing the “archival silences” surrounding street and club dances, Cassie and the Dance Division are actively working to expand their collections to include forms like The Hustle. This effort involves recording oral histories with culture bearers like Maria Torres, ensuring their stories are preserved and accessible.
Cassie’s methodology prioritizes honoring the narrators by compensating them for their time and expertise and allowing them to choose interviewers from within their communities. This approach aims to decolonize the archive and empower dancers to participate in preserving their own histories.
Alt text: Dance Oral History Producer Cassie Mey speaks about the importance of archiving dance histories, particularly street and club dance forms, to a PillowTalk audience.
The oral history project not only documents individual journeys within the dance field but also reveals the interconnectedness of various dance communities in New York City. Cassie’s work underscores the rich and multifaceted dance ecology of the city, emphasizing the need to capture and preserve these diverse narratives.
The Hustle Today: A Contemporary Renaissance
Abdiel, a contemporary Hustle dancer and co-creator of the dance theater work Do the Hustle, provides a perspective on the dance’s current resurgence. His journey into The Hustle began in the ballroom dance world, but he found a deeper connection upon discovering its authentic social dance roots in New York City.
“When I had seen it first in the ballroom world, I was like, uh, I wasn’t attracted to it,” Abdiel admits. “It wasn’t until I moved to New York City when I had saw it amongst the actual cultural bearers and the older generation…when I was like, wow, I was like, I got to learn this dance.”
For Abdiel, The Hustle became more than just a dance form; it was a space for self-expression and community. He found acceptance and belonging within the Hustle community, embracing its gender-neutral roles and celebrating its inclusive spirit.
Alt text: Abdiel, a contemporary Hustle dancer, showcases the fluidity and expressive nature of The Hustle in a performance setting.
Abdiel’s project, Do the Hustle, embodies this contemporary renaissance. It’s an interactive performance that blends dance history, social dance instruction, and a party atmosphere. By integrating living culture bearers and emphasizing the social dance floor as a performance space, Do the Hustle revitalizes the form and engages new audiences.
Bridging Generations: The Living Legacy of The Hustle
Do the Hustle exemplifies the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer in preserving dance traditions. Abdiel emphasizes the presence of multiple generations in the performance, reflecting how Hustle history is passed down through embodied practice and shared experiences within dance communities.
“In that performance that you saw, there were five generations represented,” Abdiel explains. “That’s really important because that’s how in these communities of practice, oral tradition and history is passed on. It’s not necessarily through books and writing. It’s through the body.”
By bringing together dancers from different generations, Do the Hustle not only showcases the evolution of the dance but also honors the living legends who have shaped its history. The project serves as a powerful testament to The Hustle’s enduring appeal and its ability to connect people across time and backgrounds.
Alt text: A multigenerational cast of Hustle dancers performing together, highlighting the dance’s intergenerational appeal and tradition of passing down knowledge.
The Hustle’s journey, from its vibrant origins in New York City to its global resurgence today, is a testament to its enduring power and cultural significance. Through the dedication of culture bearers like Maria Torres, the archival efforts of Cassie Mey, and the contemporary innovations of dancers like Abdiel, The Hustle continues to evolve and inspire, ensuring its vibrant legacy for generations to come. The Dance The Hustle is more than just steps; it’s a story of community, innovation, and the timeless joy of movement.
