Watch Your Step! Vintage Dance Vignettes was formed early in 2008 to present American social dance from the 20th Century. Using era-accurate costumes, music, and historical context, the troupe put on educational and entertaining public performances that introduced audiences to both the history and aesthetics of American social dance forms, some of which evolved into popular dances still known today.

The troupe took its name from the first Irving Berlin musical, called Watch Your Step!, which debuted in 1914 starring Vernon and Irene Castle. Our logo was copied from a show program, and represents Vernon and Irene, whose madcap antics made the show an instant hit. Sadly, Vernon was killed in a plane crash at a training base after flying 300 combat missions for the RAF in World War I.

Early on, Watch Your Step! received permission from the internationally known choreographer/teacher, Richard Powers to use choreographies he had developed in the 1990s for Boulder’s Tapestry Dance Ensemble (no longer extant). Over time, the troupe added choreographies from Joan Walton, additional choreographies from Richard Powers, and developed choreographies of their own.

In ten years of performing and teaching vintage dance, the troupe accumulated a repertoire of 32 numbers, spanning the 1890s through the 1970s, along with 9 different costumes and a closet full of props.

Watch Your Step! performed at the Boulder International Festival, the Avalon Ballroom, the Hotel Boulderado’s 100th anniversary celebration, Greeley’s High Plains Chautauqua, the Denver Jazz Club, Evergreen Jazz Festival, and many other venues in the Front Range area. Additionally, audiences enjoyed the silly skits we worked up for special occasions, and our Decades of Fashion style show.