Transcript Dance Resource Guide

Dance Resource Guide
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the
gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
- Muhammad Ali
Dance

Dance (from French danser) is an
art form that generally refers to
movement of the body, usually
rhythmic and to music, used as a
form of expression, social
interaction or presented in a
spiritual or performance setting.

In sports, gymnastics, figure
skating and synchronized
swimming are dance disciplines
while martial arts kata are often
compared to dances.
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Definitions of what constitutes
dance are dependent on social,
cultural, aesthetic, artistic and
moral constraints and range from
functional movement (such as folk
dance) to virtuoso techniques such
as ballet.
Dance

Dance can be participatory, social or performed for
an audience. It can also be ceremonial or
competitive. Dance movements may be without
significance in themselves, such as in ballet or
European folk dance, or have a vocabulary/symbolic
system as in many Asian dances. Dance can embody
or express ideas, emotions or tell a story.
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Dancing has evolved many styles. Breakdancing and
Krumping are related to the hip hop culture. African
dance is interpretive. Ballet, Ballroom, Waltz, and
Tango are classical styles of dance while Square and
the Electric Slide are forms of step dances.
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Every dance, no matter what style, has something in
common. It not only involves flexibility and body
movement, but also physics. If the proper physics is
not taken into consideration, injuries can and are
likely to occur.

Choreography is the art of creating dances. The
person who creates (i.e., choreographs) a dance is
known as the choreographer.
Dance

Dance categories by number of
interacting dancers are mainly Solo
dance, Partner dance and Group dance.
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There is great variety in dance in the
United States of America, it is the home
of the hip hop dance and its derivative
Rock and Roll, and modern square
dance (associated with the United
States of America due to its historic
development in that country--nineteen
U.S. states have designated it as their
official state dance) and one of the
major centers for modern dance.
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There is a variety of social dance and
concert or performance dance forms
with also a range of traditions of Native
American dances.
Training Session #1
 Conga
 Parachute Dance
Conga Line
 The conga is a
Latin American
carnival march that
was first developed
in Cuba and
became popular in
the United States in
the 1930s and
1950s.
 The dancers form a long, processing line.
 It has three shuffle steps on the beat.
 Followed by a kick that is slightly ahead of the fourth beat.
Parachute Dance
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Purpose of Activity: The
students will be able to perform a
parachute dance which promotes
rhythm, coordination, the
development of upper body
strength, and locomotor skills.
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Suggested Grade Level: K-5
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Materials Needed: CD player, parachute
with enough spots for each child in the
class
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Recommended music: “Behind the
Clouds” by Brad Paisley from the Cars
soundtrack
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Beginning dance formation: Students
begin facing the parachute with the
handle of the parachute or the material of
the parachute in both hands with an
overhand grip. The parachute is held at
waist level.
Step-Close Sequence
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When the music begins hold for
4 sets of 8 counts.

1-16 -- Step R to R side and
close L, taking weight onto the
L foot (2 counts). Repeat the
move for a total of 8 times for a
total of 16 counts. On the last
count, tap with the L foot so
that the move can be reversed.

1-16 -- Step L to the L side and
close R, taking weight onto the
R foot (2 counts). Repeat the
move for a total of 8 times for a
total of 16 counts.
Shake and Sway Sequence
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1-8 -- Stand in place and
gently shake the parachute
up and down to the music.
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1-8 -- Repeat the shaking
movements.

1-8 -- Students will all sway
to the R for 2 counts, back
to the center for 2 counts,
to the L for 2 counts and
back to the center for 2
counts.

1-8 -- Repeat the swaying
movements for 8 more
counts.
The Mushroom Move Sequence
 1-8 -- Raise the arms above
the head making the
parachute lift into the air to
form a “mushroom.”
 1-8 -- Students march under
the parachute for 8 counts.
 1-8 -- Students march back
from under the parachute for
8 counts.
 1-8 -- Students lower the
parachute to the starting
position.
 1-32 -- Repeat the entire
“Mushroom Move”
sequence.
Locomotor Skill Sequence
 There will be instrumental
music in the song. Students
will face to the side and hold
the parachute with the L
hand.
 1-32 -- 16 skips - Each skip is
2 counts. Students can
begin with either foot.
Emphasize proper spacing
and parachute “etiquette.”
 1-32 -- 32 runs - again
emphasizing proper spacing
and parachute “etiquette.”
Students will need to face
the parachute and take the
beginning grip on the last 2
counts.
Parachute Dance

The singing will begin and the dance will start over.

After repeating the dance a second time, add the following 16 counts:
1-16 -- Stand in place and gently shake the parachute up and down.
The song then continues with several measures of instrumental music.

You can continue to repeat the dance or add your own locomotor skills or
activities.
Training Session #2
 Folk Dance
 Line Dance
Folk Dance

Folk dance is a term used to describe
a large number of dances, mostly of
European origin, that tend to share
the following attributes:
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Originally danced in about the 19th century or
earlier.
Performance is dominated by an inherited
tradition rather than by innovation.
Danced by common people and not exclusively
by aristocracy.
Developed spontaneously and there is no
governing body that has final say over what
"the dance" is or who is authorized to teach it.
Folk dances are traditionally performed during
social events by people with little or no
professional training.
New dancers often learn informally by
observing others and/or receiving help from
others.
Folk dancing is viewed as more of a social
activity rather than competitive, although there
are professional and semi-professional folk
dance groups, and occasional folk dance
competitions.
Folk Dance Terminology

The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to certain dances of historical importance in
European culture and history; typically originated before 20th century.

The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances which are to a significant degree bound by
European tradition and originated in the times when the distinction existed between the
dances of "common folk" and the dances of the "high society".

The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the
cultural roots of the dance.
Folk Dance
Types of folk dance include:
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Clogging
English country dance
International folk dance
Irish dance
Morris dance
Nordic polska dance
Ball de bastons
Square dance
Sword dance

Some choreographed dances such as contra
dance, Israeli folk dance, Scottish country
dance, and modern Western square dance,
are called folk dances, though this is not
true in the strictest sense.

Country dance overlaps with contemporary
folk dance and ballroom dance. Most
country dances and ballroom dances
originated from folk dances, with gradual
refinement over the years.
Line Dance

A line dance is choreographed
dance with a repeated sequence of
steps in which a group of people
dance in one or more lines without
regard for the gender of the
individuals, all facing the same
direction, and executing the steps at
the same time.

Line dancers are not in physical
contact with each other. Older "line
dances" have lines in which the
dancers face each other, or the
"line" is a circle, or all dancers in
the "line" follow a leader around the
dance floor; while holding the hand
of the dancers beside them.
Line Dance
Description

In a small group there may be only one line, but usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other.
In this parallel line formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized manner, but independently of each other.
There are usually no moves that require any interaction between the dancers, other than they execute the
maneuvers at the same time.
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Although line dances can be fairly simple, as with the 18 count 4 wall beginner "Electric Slide," increasing
complexity can be created through several means. In general, higher-count sequences are more difficult.
(One "count" corresponds to one musical beat.)
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The inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences of steps also makes a dance more challenging. When a
line dance is done to fast music, it is usually more difficult.
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Body movements other than steps, such as hand gestures, can add complexity. "Phrased" line dances are
written to go with specific versions of songs.
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Tags, bridges, and skipping over, or repeating portions of the dance, are all devices that are used to follow
the phrasing in the music.
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These phrased dances require dancers to be more conscious of the music and not simply repeat the same
sequence of steps for an entire song.
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Contra line dances such as "Wild Wild West" by Lana Harvery have two sets of lines with the dancers facing
each other. Dancers may make momentary contact while coming close to, or passing, the dancer in the
opposing line.
Line Dance History & Culture

Line dance is sometimes thought of as
originating in the Wild West. In fact, it has a
much more diverse background. Many folk
dances are danced in unison in a single,
nonlinear "line", and often with a connection
between dancers.
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The absence of a physical connection
between dancers is a distinguishing feature
of country western line dance. Line dances
have accompanied many popular music
styles since the early 1970s, including swing,
rock and roll, and disco. The variety and
popularity of line dances in the late 20th, and
early 21st century is, however, noteworthy.
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Line dancing's current popularity grew out of
the disco period, when the country-western
dance and music communities continued to
explore and develop this form of dancing.
Line Dance Music
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Line dancing has a cowboy image, and it was danced predominantly to country-western
music. This has been changing since the 1970s, when the hustle line dance became popular.
Line dancing became even more popular with a wider range of music in the 1990s, as more
young people took up line dancing (largely due to several pop bands releasing songs with
videos featuring what later became line dances).
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Today, country music may make up the minority of a line dance DJ's playlist, with the
balance spread over a variety of musical styles both new and old. Genres including Celtic,
Swing, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost anything else that has a regular beat.
Popular Line Dances
 Electric Slide
 Boot Scootin' Boogie
 Cha Cha Slide
 Achy Breaky Heart
 The Hustle
 Cupid Shuffle
 Macarena
 Chicken Dance
 Cotton Eye Joe
Cotton-Eyed
Joe
 "Cotton-Eyed Joe" is a
popular American folk song
known at various times
throughout the United
States and Canada,
although today it is most
commonly associated with
the American South.
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"Cotton Eye Joe" is also a popular spoke line dance that can be seen and
danced at country western dance venues.
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The 1980 film Urban Cowboy sparked a renewed interest in the dance, and
most recently a version of the song recorded by the Swedish band Rednex in
1994 as "Cotton Eye Joe" has become popular.
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The precise origins of this song are unclear, although it predates the
American Civil War.
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"Cotton-Eyed Joe" has been a standard during the seventh-inning stretch at
Texas Rangers baseball games since the team moved to Texas in 1972.
Line Dance Terms
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Basic
 A basic is one repetition of the main dance from the first count to the last
not including any tags or bridges. In competition if this is danced "as
written" with no variations, it is called "Vanilla" stop
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Variation
 Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner status will often replace a
section of a dance (say 8 beats) with a compatible set of steps which is
called a variation. This is often required in competitive line dancing.
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Count
 A dance will have a number of counts, for example a 64-count dance. This
is the number of beats of music it would take to complete one sequence of
the dance. This is not necessarily the same number of steps in the dance
as steps can be performed on an and count between two beats, or
sometimes a step holds over more than one beat.
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Restart
 A restart is a point at which the basic dance sequence is interrupted and
the dance routine is started again from the beginning. Restarts are used to
fit the dances to the phrasing of the music.
Line Dance Terms
 Step
 A dance is made up of a number of movements called steps. Each
step is given a name so teachers can tell dancers to perform this
step when teaching a dance. The most well-known is the grapevine
(or vine for short), which is usually a three-step movement to the
side, with the fourth step added to complete the measure. There
can be any number of movements in one step.
 Tag / Bridge
 A tag or bridge is an extra set of steps not part of the main dance
sequence that are inserted into one or more sequences to ensure
the dance fits with the phrasing of the music. The term tag usually
implies only a few additional counts (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas bridge
implies a longer piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally
interchangeable, however.
Line Dance Terms
 Wall
 Each dance is said to consist of a number of walls. A wall is the direction in
which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the
beginning of the dance), the back or one of the sides. Dancers may change
direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point,
be facing in a direction half-way between two walls; but at the end of the
sequence they will be facing the original wall or any of the other three.
Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as
the new frame of reference.
 In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence
as at the beginning.
 In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and
front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees
during one set. The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While
doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.
 In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to
the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning. As a result,
the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive
repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line
dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90
degrees to the left to face a new wall.
Step Descriptions
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Descriptions of some dance steps in their typical form are below. They are
subject to variations in particular dances, where a stomp or a point may occur
instead of a touch, for example, in the grapevine.
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Chasse: One foot moves to the side, the other foot is placed next to it, and the first foot
moves again to the side.
Grapevine: One foot moves to the side, the other moves behind it, the first foot moves again
to the side, and the second touches next to the first. There are variations: the final step can
consist of a hitch, a scuff, placement of weight on the second foot, and so forth. The name
of the step is sometimes abbreviated to vine.
: To the left or the right. This is a grapevine with a cross in front as well as a cross behind.
Creates a slight zig zag pattern on the floor.
Triple Step: This is 3 steps being taken in only 2 beats of music. Can move forward,
backward, left, right or on the spot.
Shuffle step: A triple step to the front or the back, left or right side, starting on either foot.
The feet slide rather than being given the staccato (short and sharp) movement of the chacha. There is a slight difference in the interpretation of the timing to give the element its
distinctive look. It is counted as 1 & 2, 3 & 4, etc. However, the actual amount of time
devoted to each of the 3 steps in the shuffle is 3/4 of a beat, 1/4 of a beat, then one full beat
of music.
Lock step: A triple step backwards or forwards, starting on either foot, with the second foot
slid up to and tightly locked in front of or behind the first foot before the first foot is moved
a second time in the same direction as for the first step.
Other steps include: butterfly, coaster step , hitch, jazz box, kick ball change, kick ball step,
lunge, mambo step, , , paddle, pivot turn, rock step, scissor step, scuff, , stamp, stomp, and
vaudeville.
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Two Step
 The two-step is a step found in many folk dances, and in
various other dances. It seems to take its name from the 19th
century dance related to the Polka.
 A two-step consists of two steps in approximately the same
direction onto the same foot, separated by a closing step with
the other foot. For example, a right two-step forward is a
forward step onto the right foot, a closing step with the left
foot, and a forward step onto the right foot. The closing step
may be done directly beside the other foot, or obliquely
beside, or even crossed, as long as the closing foot does not
go past the other foot.
 Some types of two-step, or related steps, are named "lock
step".
Triple Step
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Triple Step is a generic term for dance step patterns that describes
three steps done on two main beats of music. Usually they are two
quick steps and one slow one, i.e., often they are counted as "quickquick-slow", "one-and-two", "three-and-four", etc.
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Some dances have a pattern known as such: "triple step". In some
other dances it is referred to as the shuffle step.
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Some triple steps are performed in a chasse-like manner: "side step,
together, side step". The "cha-cha chasse" is an example of this kind
of a triple step. In some other cases the steps may be done in place.
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Some dances such as swing dances have several variants of triple
step.
Training Session #3
 Mexican Hat Dance
 Chicken Dance
Mexican Hat Dance
 The Jarabe Tapatío,
known in English as
the Mexican hat
Dance, is the title of
the musical piece and
the dance that
accompanies it, which
is accorded the title of
the "national dance of
Mexico".
 In the Spanish language,
jarabe is a sort of dance,
and the adjective tapatío
indicates something from
Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Mexican Hat Dance
 The Jarabe Tapatío dance in its
standardized form was first
choreographed by the Mexican,
in the early twentieth century to
celebrate a governmentsponsored fiesta that
commemorated the successful
end of the Mexican Revolution.
 Since then it has become a folk
dance popular throughout
Mexico and the Southwestern
United States as a symbol of the
national pride and honor of the
Mexican people.
Mexican Hat Dance
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The dance tells the story of love and courtship. It can be performed either by a couple or a
group of couples. A charro, dressed in the traditional "charro suit", a three-piece suit
composed of a vest, jacket, and pants bearing silver buttons down the seam), makes initial
courtship gestures to la china (wearing the traditional China Poblana outfit).
Just as he has impressed the woman, he becomes "drunk" with glory, and is shooed away
as a "borracho" (an inebriate), but ultimately, he succeeds in "conquering" the china,
throwing his hat to the ground and kicking his leg over his partner's head as she bends
down to pick it up.
The two do a triumphant march to a military tune called a diana, and the dance ends with a
romantic turn or the couple hiding their faces behind the man's sombrero in a feigned kiss.
Mexican Hat Dance
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As you listen to the melody, try to feel the beat of the music.
Repeat "1,2, 3, and 4" over and over in your head. This will help
you to put the arm motions, foot steps and claps together.
Sometimes, the beat gets faster. When the music speeds up,
your dance movements must be quick. The Mexican Hat Dance
can be performed with one partner or a group.
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The starting position is standing with feet together and hands at
sides. Begin the dance on the count of "1" by folding your left
arm across your stomach. Your left hand can have a soft fist.
Place your right elbow on your left hand. Your right hand is
open like you are waving. Fling your right hand back. At the
same time, put your right heel out.
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On the count of "2", fold your right arm across your stomach.
Your right hand can have a soft fist. Place your left elbow on
your right hand. Your left hand is open like you are waving.
Fling your left hand back. At the same time, put your left heel
out.
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On the count of "3", fold your left arm across your stomach.
Your left hand can have a soft fist. Place your right elbow on
your left hand. Your right hand is open like you are waving.
Fling your right hand back. At the same time, put your right heel
out.
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On the counts of "and 4" , clap two times very fast.
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Start over and repeat the motions of counts "1", "2", "3", "and
4", seven times.
Mexican Hat Dance
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You can hear the music change. On the count of "1", clap. On the count of "2", clap. On the count of
"3", clap. On the count "and 4", raise your arms high and shout " olé " (oh - lay) which means hooray in
Spanish. Repeat these motions three times.
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The music changes again to the beginning melody. Repeat the beginning motions four times.
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Then, the music becomes fast and swirling. You are to hold hands with your partner or group and move
quickly around in a circle.
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The song starts over. So repeat all of the hand motions, steps, claps and shouts from the beginning.
The dance ends with everyone moving quickly in a circle.
Chicken Dance
 The "Chicken Dance" is an
oom-pah song composed by
Swiss accordion
(Handharmonika) player
Werner Thomas from Davos,
Switzerland in the 1950s and
the corresponding fad dance.
 This is not the same dance as "The
Chicken" popular in American
rhythm and blues in the 1950s, in
which the dancers flapped their
arms and kicked back their feet in
an imitation of a chicken.
Chicken Dance History
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The name of the original Swiss song was Der Vogerltanz (The Bird Dance). Since 1963 Werner Thomas had
played it in restaurants and hotels. During one of Thomas' performances, Belgian producer Louis van
Rijmenant heard the song. Van Rijmenant had some lyrics created and in 1970 released it to the public,
without much success. In 1977, Dutch local band "De Electronic" released an instrumental version, which
became a hit, and started the international success of the song. On some recorded releases of the music
Werner Thomas is listed as the composer, while on others other authors are listed, e.g., as
"Thomas/Rendall/Hose", probably including the authors of the particular arrangement. Since then the song
has become known under numerous other "birdie" names, including "Vogerltanz" (Bird Dance), "Danse
des Canards", "Chicken Dance" and "Dance Little Bird".
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The dance was introduced in the United States in 1981 during the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oktoberfest by the
Heilbronn Band from Germany. They wanted to demonstrate the dance in costume but there were no duck
costumes available anywhere near Tulsa. At a local television station, however, a chicken costume was
available which was donated for use at the festival. And that is how the "Chicken Dance" got its name.
Dance Steps
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Flap the wings up
The "Chicken Dance" song is accompanied by a
dance requiring a group of people, and it goes
as follows:
At the start of the music, shape a chicken beak
with your hands. Open and close it four times,
during the first four beats of the music.
Make chicken wings with your arms. Flap your
wings four times, during the next four beats of
the music.
Make a chicken's tail feathers with your arms
and hands. Wiggle downwards during the next
four beats of the music.
Clap four times during the next four beats of the
music.
Repeat this process four times.
At the bridge, hold your arms straight, in
imitation of an aeroplane. All dancers spin
around the room in "flight" until the bridge ends.
(Alternately: At the bridge, link arms with the
nearest person, turn right eight steps, switch
arms and turn left eight steps, then repeat until
the bridge ends)
The dance repeats, progressively getting faster
and faster, until the music stops.
References
Text from
 Wikipedia Search. [On-line]. Available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Images from
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Google Image Search. [Online]. Available: http://images.google.com/
Wikimedia Commons Search. [On-line]. Available:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Additional Lesson Plans
 Rhythm Activities
 Interdisciplinary Dances
 Choreography Activities