The Castle Walk as done by Vernon and Irene Castle, 1915. Sonny Watson
Excerpt from personnal interview with Professor David Gilbert, January 13, 2020
Hammerstein's Victoria Theatre of Varieties, 1910. Museum of the City of New York
Hammerstein's Victoria Theatre of Varieties, 1910. Museum of the City of New York
In 1913, Europe began a collaboration with the popular dancing couple, Irene and Vernon Castle. Europe performed for the Castles with his Society Orchestra. Through their collaboration, a sense of urbanity was given to dance music and syncopated music.
Irene and Vernon Castle, full-length, in dancing position, 1910. Library of Congress April 29, 1914. Evening Star
Despite opposition from segregated unions, the Castles performed with Europe’s orchestra in the Palace Theater and in Hammerstein’s Victoria Theater.
Excerpt from personnal interview with Professor Michael Dinwiddie, January 9, 2020
Together, they broke the barrier preventing black musicians from playing in first-class theaters for white audiences. Their partnership resulted in the first exposure, outside of minstrelsy, many white Americans had to black entertainers.
The Castle Walk as done by Vernon and Irene Castle, 1915. Sonny Watson
Excerpt from personnal interview with Professor David Gilbert, January 13, 2020
The Castle walk : trot and one step, 1914. Schomburg Center of Research in Black Culture