Breakdown Dance

A Breakdown Dance refers to a particular 19th century dance form, from the USA.

Also known as The Break-Down or The Breakdown, or named after its place of origin (e.g. Birmingham Breakdown, Cincinnati Breakdown, or Virginia Breakdown), depending on the version performed.

Its general characteristics are described on Sonny Watson's website Streetswing.com[1] as "an African-American Slave dance that was popular around the Reconstruction-era of the 1880-90's ...The Breakdown was later mixed with other dances such as tap, Jazz and Swing dances. The dance has its roots in the Hornpipes, jigs, Strathspeys, and reels, Hoe-downs, Clogs etc."

Performances of breakdown dances in South Africa

A version referred to as "The original Virginia Breakdown"

Sources

https://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3brkdwn.htm

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