Dance and Visual Art of the 1960s

Students will learn about the history and culture of the 1960s in America through hands-on dance and visual art activities. Workshops will cover all of the fad dances of the 1960s and the songs that introduced the new dances: twist, mashed potato, swim, watusi, monkey, jerk, pony, etc. Workshops will also revisit the TV show "American Bandstand" and how that show helped spread these new songs and dances. Students will also learn how Detroit (Motor City) and Berry Gordon Jr. influenced popular music and how transistor radios made music much more accessible. Students will also learn about the portrait work of Andy Warhol and will make Warhol-inspired self-portraits using a three-color printmaking process. Workshops will include writing activities and discussion of propaganda in popular culture and media.