Jene Rose Pagayon BSACTY-2 Stubcode: 1051

What is Dance? Dance is a performing art. It is described in many ways. It is when

people move to a musical rhythm. They may be alone, or in a group. The dance may be
an informal play, a part of a ritual, or a part of a professional performance.

What is Dancing? Dancing is to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a

pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.

Different Types of Dances

1. Ballroom Dances - These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early
years of Renaissance. Popularity of this kind of entertainment quickly swept over the
Europe, United States and the World.

o Waltz - This graceful and slow two person dance was first introduced in mid-
19th century and was greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer
Johann Strauss
o Viennese Waltz - Original form of waltz, first performed at the Italian courts is
today remembered as Viennese Waltz.
o Tango - Originally created in the Argentinean region of Rio de la Plata, this dance
is today known by many of its variations and the fascinating sensual and
energetic style.
o Cha-Cha-Cha - This incredibly rhythmic dance created in Latin America managed
to meld together both the slow and very energetic movements, making it an
instant hit among the dancers around the world.
o Rumba - Popularity of this Cuban dance came from its focus on sensual hip
movements of dance partners.
o Samba - Samba is a famous dance and musical genre that originated form the
coast of Africa and land of Brazil.
o Mambo - This Cuban dance that accompanies the music of the same name was
introduced in 1930s, and quickly managed to gain popularity with the exploits of
famous musicians and dancers
o Jive - Jive is one of the five most popular Latin dances and is also known under
the names of swing, boogie or boogie-woogie.

2. African-American and Traditional Jazz dances

o Swing - This dance is today synonym for the jazz and swing music of the 1920s-
1930s.
o Tap Dance - Originally created by the African slaves, tap dancing came into the
mainstream with the performances of Nicholas brothers.
 o Moonwalk - This extremely famous dance move that emuates the illusion of
walking backwards was first performed by pop icon Michael Jackson in March of
1983.
o Boogie-woogie - This quick and energetic style of dance became widely popular
during 1930s and 1940s.
o Salsa - This Latin dance is today one of the most popular dances in Latin America,
North America, Europe and Australia.
o Jive
o Folk Dance - Folk dances represent musical, cultural heritage, reflections of daily
life or ethnic history of people who live in a certain region or country.
o Belly dance - It is an expressive form dance that originated from Egypt, and it
emphasizes the complex movement of the torso and entire body utilizing sudden
percussive movements, unstopping fluid body motions and presence of small and
fast shimmies, shivers and vibrations of the hips or the ribcage

3. Professional performance dance - Professional dancing was first introduced in the

early years of Italian Renaissance when music, dance, arts and poetry started to rise in
popularity after the millennia of medieval stagnation.

o Ballet - Ballet is without any doubt one of the most highly technical and famous
of all performance dances.
o Contemporary dance - Contemporary dance is a highly complicated type of
modern performance dance that originated in the mid-20th century as an
alternative to classical dance styles (such as ballet), modern styles (free dance)
and Jazz dance.
o Concert Dance - Concert dance is any choreographed dance that is performed for
an audience, usually at the theatre or an organized gathering setting with the
presence of set music
o Modern Dance - Modern dance is an influential performance dance that
originated as a reaction against the classical ballet and its movement style

4. Modern Dances - Advancements in music technology brought the birth of many new
types of dances. Introduction of electronic and rock music brought the era of House,
Punk, Rave and Disco dance.

o House dance - Built on top of subtler rhythms, riffs of the music and influences of
jazz, Latin, soul, funk, R&B, and many other music styles.
o Punk dance - This dance styles were characterized by the strong and full body
contact of live band audience, with frequent bumping and jostling both alone and
in groups.
o Rave dance - Fueled by the unending focus on pulsating beats, loud volume and
psychedelic music effects, dancers of rave music are free to create their freestyle
of movements.
 o Disco dance - The popular disco music genre of the 1970s would not found such
popularity if it was not so easy to dance with
o Bollywood dance - is characterized by elaborate choreographies, energetic
movements, and dances that involve a large number of participants

5. Hip-hop & Funk dance - Dancing style of Hip-Hop evolved from the music style that
was first introduced during 1970s.
o Breakdance (Breaking) - One of the most athletic dances in the world,
o Bounce -Born in the 1980s as a mix of New Orleans hip-hop music and the
traditions of the Mardi Gras Indian chants
o Electric boogaloo - Funk style of hip-hop was popularized not only by its music
but also by the worldwide acceptance of the famous dance style called Electric
Boogaloo
o Street Jazz - Created with the influences of African American slaves
o Jookin' - Jookin’ or so-called “gangsta waling” style of dance is a street dance that
originated quite recently in the 1990s on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee.
o Locking - Funk dance is incredibly diverse, and one of its famous variations is
“locking”.
o Popping - is another variation of the funk-themed street dance from the 1960s
and 1970s that found popularity all around the world.

Principles of Dance

1. Body Movements - the body moves while dancing. It does hand movements, actions,
leg movements, etc. to express feelings and sometimes tells a story.

2. Time & Contrast - You have to make sure you have proper timing while dancing. This
is because you won’t make your audience really bored. You also need to be in rhythm
with the music if you’re dancing with music. Speed in your movements also matters
because you should have a bit of contrast in your dance - moving slower or faster.

3. Emotions - Many dances have a purpose of showing emotions. The emotions show
what feelings you have, which is pretty obvious. You don’t speak in dance though, show
showing your emotions during your dance movements is vital.

4. Balance - You need to have good balance when you’re dancing. This is because you
don’t want to embarrass yourself in front your audience by tripping and falling all over
the place