Thesis my Thesis?

Warning! This blog post is a free writing exercise that has not been edited for form. If you like unruly blog posts concerned with the thoughts of a scholar in struggle then continue reading.   If you don’t then press the little x on your browser window and walk away.  

Right now I am in the midst of writing a play for my drama writing class and a conference paper for ASTR.   

Writing the play is on the surface a pretty easy task except for that whole ending thing, but meh?

As for the conference paper… well, let’s just say it’s a little rougher. In the past I have often had to talk out my thesis so that I make sure I understand it. I feel for the poor victim volunteer who sits and listens to me blather on until my brain figures out how to form words into meaningful sentences but it is quite helpful. During my MA that person was Emily.  These argument-clarifying discussions often took place going to, sitting in, or, leaving from the bathroom.  We both know that when a restroom is involved we do our best thinking. Since getting to Baton Rouge I haven’t yet needed that person to help me clarify my brain rambles but here I am and here you are so lets break it down.

I am writing about this internet archive called sweetheartsofrhythm.org and the vintage dance groups it features.  This website identifies itself as an archive of photos and videos of lindy-hop and jazz dance performances.  The media included on the website is both new media and “vintage” film and photos. According to the website, it is the go to place for all female dance groups or women who want to learn more about what I am calling “vintage dance.” This website also links to other individual websites of  all female vintage dance groups.  These sites are where you can see photos and videos of that groups work as well as get in contact with them to book them for performances.

After looking at all of the different sites and doing some thinking, I came to the conclusion that when these women perform their vintage dances it is very unlikely they are performing them for an audience that have memories tied to “original” performances of those dances.  What I think most likely is happening is that the audiences memories of these vintage dance performances come from film and television.  This became clearer to me when I looked at a 2009 video of the dance group ATOMIC Cherry Bombs.  The performance in the video is a recreation of  the “All I Do is Dream of You” song and dance sequence in the film version of Singin’ In The Rain. I have included the videos below.

ATOMIC Cherry Bombs

Singin' In The Rain

 

See?

What gets really interesting is that the original performance in Singin’ In The Rain is actually not a contemporary performance of vintage dance.  The film was produced in the early 1950 but set in the late 1920s. Thus, the 2009 performance is a re-recreation of an original dance style from 1927.  (Humanities scholars very own logic problem.) Now, some of the photo and video resources on the sweethearts of rhythm website look to be from the correct time period of these vintage dances but I guess what I am wondering is what does it mean to the history of the dances that they are being recreated from these films contemporary or not. And does it really matter to the audiences of these performances if they are from primary sources? 

Now my problem isn’t a lack of theorists to help support my argument. Joseph Roach, Diana Taylor and Judith Butler will all be very helpful. I might even throw in some Walter Benjamin or Adorno for funsies. My problem is that I have an argument that I think is really great but I am currently lacking the way to phrase it.

All female vintage dance groups are embodying memories of and nostalgia for a past that exists only in period films and television.  Is that it?  Is that my thesis statement for this paper?  Does that make sense to anyone else besides me?  

*headdesk

Evleen