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Ballet Ballet is a formalized dance discipline, first developed in 16th century Italy. (The name "ballet" comes from the Italian word meaning "to dance".) The history of ballet is long and complex. Here is a quick summary, touching only on the most important highlights. 1581: The first ballet is presented at the French court of Catherine de' Medici (the wife of Henry II). 1681: Women, and not just men, now dance in the ballet. 1708: The first public performance of a ballet is presented. 1820: Carlo Blasis introduces modern ballet technique (including the turned-out leg). 1832: "La Sylphide" begins the romantic period of ballet, emphasizing the role of the prima ballerina. 1875: A renaissance of romantic ballet begins in Russia. 1909-1929: Ballet enjoys a renaissance in Europe and America, and is strongly influenced by modern dance. The tradition of male virtuoso dancing is revived. 1977: Harley Hahn takes ballet classes while he is a graduate student. Late 20th century: Ballet gains great popularity, especially in the United States. Web:
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Ballroom Dancing Recently, I went dancing with a friend. Last year, we took swing dance classes together, and have been dancing together for some time. She suggested that, this time, we go to a ballroom dancing event where, before the band starts, there is a lesson for beginners. The lesson that week was an introduction to samba. Well, I can tell you that, even though I am in good shape (I have been doing yoga for years), doing the Samba required a fair bit of muscular effort. Later, when the band started, we were able to dance to a variety of music: swing, samba/mambo, waltz, polka, and so on. I don't know how to do all of those dances but, between us, I have found that with a bit of experience and enough chutzpah you can fake anything. (That is a lesson I learned in medical school.) Web:
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Belly Dancing Belly dancing, sometimes called Oriental Dance, has mysterious roots. It has been a part of the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures for a long time, but its exact development is not known (although there are lots of stories). Belly dancing became known in America in 1893, in the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was the first time that Americans had been exposed (in public) to exotic, Middle Eastern dancers and their sinuous hip, chest and belly movements. Although I enjoy watching belly dancing, the only dancer I ever knew personally was a beautiful young, slim woman, who was also a rugby player. (I'm still trying to figure it out.) Web:
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Break Dancing Break dancing, which started as a rap-based, inner-city art form in the 1980s, has evolved. It has now embraced hip-hop and the suburbs, and the boomboxes and rappers have been replaced by disc jockeys at all night raves. Everything old is new again, and as loud as ever. (If you remember the original break dancing craze, let me tell you something that is guaranteed to make you feel old: there are now father and son break dancing teams.) Web:
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Competitive Dance Sport I have a friend who used to compete seriously as a ballroom dancer. In her words, "It's a bitch-eat-bitch world, where both the men and women are bitches." Still, for a spectator, competitive dancing is wonderful. I like to watch because it shows me how skillful people can become by practicing, which inspires me to spend time on the parts of life that I want to improve (like my dancing). Web:
Contra Dancing It's not square dancing. It's not country line dancing. A young, Americanized version of English country dancing, this lively dancing pastime gets its name from the French contredans. While nobody agrees on the origins, most everyone agrees that contra dancing is the most fun you can have without having to wash your hands afterwards. Web:
Country Line Dancing You are standing with a group of people, listening to the music. You get caught up in the rhythm, and your body begins to move. All at once, everyone begins to move at the same time -- side shuffle rock step, side shuffle quarter-turn rock step... and you're dancing. To be more precise, you are country line dancing. It's easy to learn, but a challenge to master, so what are you waiting for? Web:
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Dance News Dance, dance, dance... But now and again, you need a break. What better time to catch up on what's new and what's news in the dance world. Read about who is doing what, and what is being done by whomever. Opinions, stories, articles, features, and soon it is time to go back to work. Dance, dance, dance… Web:
Dance Resources After six hours of school, I've had enough of a day, I grab the radio dial, and turn it up all the way, I've got to dance, right on the spot, the beat's really hot, dance, dance, dance, dance... (And when I'm not dancing, I'm on the Net, looking at dance resources.) Web:
Dance Talk and General Discussion Eventually the music will stop, but that's no reason for you to stop dancing. Do what I do: stand in front of the computer, read the Usenet articles, and check out the FAQ (frequently asked question list). Web:
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Flamenco There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that culture is boring. This is simple propaganda designed by those in the entertainment business to seduce people into watching more television when, in fact, they should be out learning how to flamenco dance. Flamenco dancing is fun. Other than children's birthday parties, where else can you wear colorful costumes while dancing around, stomping your feet and clapping your hands? Web:
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Folk and Traditional Dance I have always had a strong interest in traditional dances; for example, my favorite dance is the "Freddy". If you too like traditional dances, you are not alone. Here are some resources to keep you in step with people around the world who care about how dancing used to be in the days when people danced to enjoy life and not just to keep moving till the drugs wore off. Web:
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Morris Dancing When you are looking for something lively in which to participate, consider taking up Morris dancing. This rustic dance of north England had its origins in country festivals and became a vigorous ambulatory dance which found its dancers cavorting from village to village accompanied by pipers and taborers. These resources offer information not only about Morris dancing, but also Garland, North West, Rapper, Cotswold, Border, Abbots Bromley, Longsword and similar forms of English dance. Web:
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Renaissance Dance For those of you with a little more vintage taste for dance, try Renaissance dancing. It's colorful, it's cultural, the music is good and best of all, you can't get arrested for doing it. The Web sites have tons of files about the dance, including information about music, history and the dance steps themselves. If you want to talk to other people about Renaissance dances, join the mailing list. Web:
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Salsa Salsa music developed in the 1970s in New York. Salsa dance, based on the music, is a sort of a rumba blended with Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican influences. What is wonderful about a salsa concert is the musicians will often perform and dance at the same time. Spend just a few minutes listening, and your body will start moving, and once you start moving, you won't want to stop. That's salsa. Web:
Samba Samba is a type of music and a type of dance from Brazil, a tradition that originated with African slaves. Samba is a lively, gyrating, complicated dance. The men and women perform different moves, with the women shaking their bodies and the men doing more hopping, jumping and slapping hands to their heels (sort of like Customer Appreciation Day at Wal-Mart, without the free pizza). Web:
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Square Dancing Square dancing is wholesome, good clean fun, and, these days, is there anyone who can't use a bit more w.g.c.f. in their life? If you enjoy hanging out with the type of people who understand the difference between a single file promenade and a rollaway half sashay, there is a lot waiting for you on the Net: information about clubs and schools, call lists and definitions, articles to read, and lots of resources to explore. You can even find computer programs that act as square dance simulators. So don't waste a minute. Get out and dance, and when you're not dancing, get on the Net. And the next time you take a shower, join me in singing, "Chicken in the bread pan kickin' out the dough; Chicken in the bread pan kickin' out the dough; Chicken in the bread pan kickin' out the dough; Skip to my Lou, my darling!" Web:
Swing Dance Swing all night and at daybreak when the music dies down, come home to the Web and swing some more. These Web sites have more information than you can triple step on. For instance, you can get information on upcoming swing dance events on a local or national level. Or you can read about styles and techniques of swing. Impress your friends and dance partners with your huge knowledge of swing steps that you learned from these fabulous online swing sources. I could go on and on, but I have better things to do...like go dancing. Web:
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Tango What is it that is so appealing, so passionate and so captivating about the tango? At first glance, it's hard to understand the attraction. Why would so many people spend so much time moving with restrained eroticism to haunting music, when they could be sitting at home reading one of my books? Still, there are tango fans all over the world, so there must be something in it. Try it for yourself and you will find that there is nothing better to perk up an otherwise dull day than a heavy dose of carefully channeled sensuality. (Personal note: My favorite tango is "The Masochism Tango" by Tom Lehrer, which I play on the piano whenever I need a break from writing.) Web:
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Tap Dancing When you are looking for some lively, snappy dancing, consider tap. On the mailing list, lovers of fancy footwork discuss steps, techniques, shoes, dancers and the tap industry. For more immediate gratification, you can shuffle, flap, hop, scuff, paddle, dig or cramp roll your way to the Web site. These pages contain information about dance steps, famous tapsters, dance clubs, movies, sounds, and more. By the way, when I was a kid, I used to do a lot of tap dancing, until one day I fell into the sink and hurt my ankle. Web:
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