teenarama

WOOK-TV building receives historical society designation

HISTORY

Teenarama Incorporated was conceived and developed out of the reunion in 1998 of those persons who actively participated in the Teenarama Dance Party of the 1960s. The Teenarama Dance Party which aired on WOOK’s Channel 14 was the first all black teen television show in the 1960's. The program aired from 1963 until 1970, six days a week.

Teenarama Incorporated is a 501 (c), (3) nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of DC hand-dance as an African - American art form both locally and nationally. The goals and objectives of Teenarama Incorporated are to keep the legacy of the Teenarama era alive, on-going and to promote the DC hand-dance.

MISSION STATEMENT

MISSION: In order to carry out the mission of Teenarama Inc., the organization shall:

Support local and national activities which promote D.C. hand-dance as a social art form
Conduct workshops and charitable events that educate youth about social cultures and skills that foster meaningful life experiences to carry out the legacy of the Teenarama era
Award educational scholarships to youth who desire to further their interest in the arts
Network and partnership with community organizations and institutions that share similar goals and objectives which involve our youth

Cultural Tourism DC historian Mara Cherkasky and producer of the Emmy Award winning documentary Dance Party: The Teenarama Story, Beverly Lindsay-Johnson

WOOK-TV Building recognized as signficant part of Washington, DC's Afro-American history and culture

On Monday, April 5, 2010, a plaque was placed on the former WOOK Radio and TV Station building at 5321 1st Place, NE recognizing the building as a significant part of Washington, DC African American history and culture.

The Cultural Tourism DC organization is responsible for selecting the building and the plaque as one of the locations designated on the DC African American Heritage Trail. The Cultural Tourism DC organization is also responsible for the placard stands on the sidewalks of DC describing the history and heritage of the neighborhoods. http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/. The former WOOK building is on the African American Heritage Trail. http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/node/1270

Former Teenarama Dance Party dancers, representatives from Teenarama Inc. the National Hand Dance Association, and others are pictured with the historical plaque.

The building plaque highlights the original Teenarama Dance Party teen television dance show which aired on WOOK-TV from 1963 to 1970. The Teenarama show was the jewel of the community as it showcased the dancing talents of African American teenagers in the District and surrounding areas.

A gathering of former Teenarama Dance Party dancers, producer of the Emmy Award winning documentary Dance Party: The Teenarama Story, Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, Cultural Tourism DC historian Mara Cherkasky, representatives from Teenarama Inc.and the National Hand Dance Association, and others were on hand to watch the installation of the plaque. It was a festive gathering as they reunited for this historical event. Mara Cherkasky spoke on producer Beverly Lindsay-Johnson's role in initiating the effort to have the plaque placed on the building, as well as on the efforts of Cultural Tourism DC. It took 5 years of negotiations before the plaque was finally installed. In a moment of nostalgia, each of the former Teenarama dancers reflected on their happy moments on the Teenarama Dance Party show. And of course, there was a bit of dancing.

Click to view Picture Album from the Dedication

It was an historical moment for Washington, DC. For more information on the documentary Dance Party: The Teenarama Story visit www.dancepartytheteenaramastory.com and for more info on the organization Teenarama Inc. visit www.teenaramainc.org