November 10, 2024 was a very special day for Joey Hollingsworth. Joey was nominated and inducted into Canada’s Dance Hall of Fame in Toronto.
From the www.dcd.ca website:
As a groundbreaking Black Canadian tap dancer, Joey Hollingsworth swings fast and smooth. Born in 1936, raised in London, Ontario, he danced on variety, medicine and minstrel shows early on. At 10 years old, he tapped with legendary Bill BoJangles Robinson and witnessed tap greats Teddy Hale and Peg Leg Bates. His tap embodies Afro-diasporic rhythm and soul from his grandpa Huskey Henderson, railway porters, jazz drummers, and Black tappers. He calls it dancing into the wood. Joey tapped low into the boards with paddle and roll, slides, glides, jazz licks, and independence. An early Black artist on Canadian television, he danced in the era of big bands, backed by the Samuel Hersenhoren Orchestra on CBC in 1954. Joey was directed by Norman Jewison in the CBC Special Christmas with the Stars in 1956, and acted with Portia White in Playdate: In the Good Time in 1961. He also starred on shows such as The Billy O’Connor Show (1957), Cross Canada Hit Parade (1958), and the Ed Sullivan Show (1962). On Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was accompanied by jazz pianist Johnny Costa. He danced in civil rights performances sharing the bill with Oscar Peterson and Harry Belafonte. He recorded with guitarist Lenny Breau and stole steps with Gregory Hines. On stage with Broadway dancers, he laid down iron as the Hot Mikado (1997). Joey continues to walk in rhythm. In 2017, he was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame and in 2018 was awarded the Ontario Black History Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2021, he made the London Mayor’s New Year’s Honour list.
