By Spencer Whitelow
Detroit, We Need to Talk About Our Dance History!
Before TikTok, before Instagram, and before everybody was trying to go viral doing a fifteen-second dance, Detroit had something special!
We had The Scene and The New Dance Show!
And let me tell you something: Detroit knew how to entertain long before social media came along.
That's why I decided to write my new 10-chapter book, Detroit Made Us Dance: My Memories of The Scene and The New Dance Show.
This book is a personal tribute to two television programs that brought music, fashion, dancing, and Detroit personalities into our homes.
I'm not writing this as somebody who danced on either show. I watched them on television growing up in Detroit, and those memories stayed with me for years.
Now I'm putting those memories into a book!
Let's Give Nat Morris His Flowers!
If you grew up watching The Scene, you probably remember Nat Morris.
The program premiered in 1975 on Detroit's WGPR-TV Channel 62, the first Black-owned television station in the United States.
And that was history!
The Scene gave local dancers an opportunity to appear on television while viewers enjoyed the music and fashion of the era.
We had soul, funk, disco, R&B, and plenty of personality.
And the outfits?
Some of those fashions deserve their own documentary!
Bell-bottom pants, platform shoes, beautiful hairstyles, and enough style to make today's fashion influencers take notes.
But beyond the clothing and dancing, The Scene represented something important.
Detroit people were getting an opportunity to shine on Detroit television.
And that deserves recognition.
Then RJ Watkins Came Along With The New Dance Show!
When The Scene ended in 1987, Detroit dance television entered another chapter.
In 1988, The New Dance Show, associated with RJ Watkins, brought a different generation of music and dancers to television.
Now the sounds were changing.
Techno and house music were becoming increasingly influential.
The fashion was different.
The dance movements were different.
And the energy reflected another generation of Detroit entertainment.
One thing about Detroit: we never had to wait for somebody from Hollywood to tell us what was popular.
We had our own culture!
And The New Dance Show helped showcase it.
The Dancers Were the Real Stars!
Now, I appreciate Nat Morris and RJ Watkins.
But we cannot forget the dancers!
They brought the entertainment to life.
Some had incredible footwork. Others brought confidence, fashion, personality, and energy.
Everybody didn't dance the same way, and that's what made watching enjoyable.
My book celebrates those performers and discusses the importance of preserving their stories.
Because I have a question.
Where are all those dancers today?
Are they still dancing? Did they remain in Detroit? Did they move away? What do they remember about appearing on television?
Those are stories I would love to hear directly from the people who experienced them.
And I believe their contributions deserve more attention.
Detroit Techno Changed the World!
We cannot discuss The New Dance Show without talking about Detroit's influence on electronic dance music.
Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson helped establish Detroit techno as an internationally influential sound.
And let's not forget Detroit's Jit dance tradition!
Detroit wasn't simply following musical trends.
Detroit was helping create them.
That is something our city should be proud of.
In my book, I discuss how music, fashion, and dancing worked together to create an unforgettable period in Detroit entertainment history.
My Review of These Two Legendary Shows
Looking back, I appreciate both programs for different reasons.
The Scene represented an important era of Detroit television, showcasing local talent during the 1970s and 1980s.
The New Dance Show reflected the changing music and dance culture of the late 1980s and beyond.
I don't believe one show has to be better than the other.
Both made contributions.
Both entertained viewers.
And both deserve a place in Detroit's cultural history.
What I loved most was seeing everyday Detroit people on television.
Not everybody was a professional entertainer.
Not everybody was trying to become famous.
Some people simply enjoyed dancing!
And sometimes that's all entertainment needs to be.
Why I Wrote Detroit Made Us Dance
As I get older, I find myself appreciating my hometown memories even more.
I've lived in different cities, but Detroit will always be part of my story.
And when I think about the television programs I enjoyed growing up, The Scene and The New Dance Show remain special.
I wanted to write something that celebrates those memories while encouraging others to share their own experiences.
My book contains 10 chapters exploring the hosts, dancers, fashion, music, Detroit techno, dance culture, and the lasting legacy of both programs.
It's not an official history or an authorized biography.
It's my personal tribute as a longtime fan.
And I hope readers enjoy taking that nostalgic journey with me.
My Final Thoughts: Detroit, Don't Forget Your History!
Sometimes we spend so much time celebrating national celebrities that we forget the talented people who entertained us right in our own communities.
Nat Morris deserves recognition.
RJ Watkins deserves recognition.
The dancers deserve recognition.
And everybody who helped produce these programs deserves appreciation.
Detroit gave us Motown, techno, talented entertainers, and two memorable dance television shows.
That's a legacy worth celebrating.
Detroit didn't need TikTok to make us dance. We already had The Scene and The New Dance Show!
My new book, Detroit Made Us Dance: My Memories of The Scene and The New Dance Show, is my way of saying thank you to the people who made those memories possible.
Join the Conversation!
Did you grow up watching The Scene or The New Dance Show?
Which program was your favorite? Do you remember any of the dancers? What songs or fashion styles stand out in your memory?
Leave a comment, share your memories, and tell me what you remember about Detroit's legendary dance shows!
And keep an eye out for my book, Detroit Made Us Dance, coming soon.
Detroit made the music. Detroit brought the style. And Detroit made us dance!
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Keywords: Detroit Made Us Dance, Spencer Whitelow, The Scene Detroit, The New Dance Show, Nat Morris, RJ Watkins, Detroit dance television, Detroit techno, Detroit nostalgia, WGPR Channel 62, Black television history, Detroit music culture, Detroit dancers, Detroit Jit
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