Chapter 5 Power Point - Petal School District

CHAPTER 5 Rhythms That Dance

EARLY AMERICAN INFLUENCES Native American developed a rich tradition of dance to serve social, ceremonial, and spiritual purposes.  American dance traditions can be traced to European and African roots. 

EUROPEAN INFLUENCES 

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Reels – Irish dances from a word meaning “a weaving motion”, danced to quick music in duple meter, for 2-16 dancers, forerunners of square dancing Jigs – Irish dances that use music in 6/8 time with a triple meter, name refers to the dancers up and down movement Ceili (kay-lee) – includes mainly reels and jigs, a traditional Irish or Scottish social dance. Some of the reels and jigs were forerunners to CLOGGING – 1994 – Riverdance became popular, combined traditional step dancing with contemporary music and costumes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8EXDtoGfrs

CONJUNTO Conjunto – a dance music created by Mexicans in Texas, influenced by European neighbors it includes polka sounds with traditional Mexican sounds.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCjLTXVCd1s 

HULA Film industry grew popular in Hawaii in the 1930s (before it became a state in 1959).  The hula was seen as superficial entertainment, but now provides links to Hawaii’s past.  Hula means movement and gestures.  Ukulele – small 4 stringed guitar, used to accompany the hula  The hula can be performed standing or seated. 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_WmLl9p_MM

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9dof5o64H8

CLASSICAL DANCE 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcC6ISw-dEs

Ballet – refined style of classical dance emphasizes the verticality of the body, an outward rotation of the legs with fluid foot and leg work, and virtuosic turns and jumps

Ballet emerged from Italy and France during the 16th century. It has roots in European court dances.  Popular ballets – Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz_f9B4pPtg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOARfu8modE

BALLET BREAKS NEW GROUND 1913 – Popular choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky worked on a ballet, The Rite of Spring – by Russian Igor Stravinsky.  Nijinsky’s choreo broke established rules of classical ballet. The dancers’ legs were bent and turned in; their movements were heavy.  A riot broke out – people threw whatever was handy at the musicians and dancers: food, programs, and items of clothing.  It was only danced 7 times with the original choreography.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6d8wacBjPQ 

WEST SIDE STORY Dance found its way to broadway musicals through Operettas and Vaudeville shows.  In West Side Story the dances are memorable because they are integral to the story. It opened on Broadway in 1957 as a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet.  The music is by composer Leonard Bernstein who, for the musical/movie, carefully blended Latin American dance rhythms with American jazz. 

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Mambo – a type of ballroom dance that originated in Cuba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kokbJvSEMUY

Cha-cha – a rhythmic Latin American dance with the basic pattern of three steps and a shuffle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXNZFe63brY

Charleston – an athletic dance that includes kicks and inward leg rotations on syncopated beats of the music.  Tap dancing – step dancing in which foot movements produce audible rhythms emphasized by small metal plates on the soles of the dancer’s shoes 

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson  Savion Glover Lindy Hop – a jazzy dance where couples swing, balance, and twirl, featured “the breakaway” 

Tango – a Latin American dance performed at a moderately slow, walk-like tempo in 4/4 meter  Samba – African-Brazilian dance that is faster and jazzier than the tango  Rock and Roll – musical blend of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel styles  The Twist – a dance and song by Chubby Checker  Disco – electric mix of rhythm and blues, gospel, soul and Latin dance music; short for discotheque – meant music library  Developed a need for DJs 