Bay Area

Mayor Sheng Thao Declares ‘Boogaloo Dance Day’ Honoring Oakland’s Street Dance Legacy

Nearly six decades ago, African American youths on the streets of Oakland gave birth to an innovative dance culture that has left an indelible mark on the world. Descendants of the Great Migration of African Americans from the southern United States to the West, these young dancers adopted the term “Boogaloo,” popularized by artists like James Brown. They applied it to their unique dance style.

Published

3 years ago

October 4, 2023

Oakland Post

Mayor Sheng Thao pictured alongside original Boogaloo Dance Pioneers of the 1960s and ’70s. Photo by JonathanFitnessJones.

By Post Staff

At the 12th annual Original Boogaloo Reunion on Sept. 16, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao paid tribute to an often-overlooked aspect of the city’s cultural heritage by declaring the third Saturday of September each year as “Boogaloo Dance Day” in the city of Oakland, celebrating the profound influence of Boogaloo dance culture.

Individual dancers and groups from various Oakland neighborhoods nurtured the Boogaloo dance culture, which thrived in local talent shows, school dances, community performances, and even national television appearances from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Oakland’s Boogaloo culture laid the foundation for modern street dance, including styles like “Popping,” “Pop Locking,” “Strutting,” and “Robotting.”

In the 1980s, these dance forms became an integral part of contemporary Hip Hop dance culture, featuring prominently in major motion pictures, commercials, and music videos by some of the world’s most renowned artists. Today, they stand as some of the most recognizable and influential dance styles in the world.

For those interested in delving deeper into the rich history of this dance culture, a docu-series titled ‘Boogaloo: The Greatest Story Never Told’ offers a more comprehensive exploration of this vibrant part of Oakland’s heritage.

The declaration of “Boogaloo Dance Day” by Mayor Thao serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Oakland’s street dance culture and its enduring impact on the world of dance and entertainment.