Breakaway (dance)
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From 1919 to 1927, Breakaway was a popular swing dance developed from the Texas Tommy. Breakaway incorporated Charleston inspired movement. It was danced in closed position, when occasionally the leader would swing out the follower into an open position, hence "Breaking away". When in open position the dancers would improvise with Vernacular Jazz Dance moves. Some variations included doing breakaways into open position so that dancers could show off their tap dance skills. Breakaway was an African-American dance, danced to jazz music. The center of Breakaway was Harlem.
George Snowden was the reigning king of the Breakaway in 1920s New York City dance competitions. Footage of Snowden dancing the Breakaway can be seen in the 1929 short film After Seben (directed by S.J.Kaufman).
By the late 1920s, Breakaway had been incorporated into Lindy Hop, which replaced it as a popular social dance.
