Dance is one of the most stunning forms of art that has grown in leaps and bounds. Dance is no longer just a hobby; it is also one of the most rewarding professions as well!
Besides, dance therapy is very much in vogue these days simply because the experience of dancing helps a person to heal from within. Dance is a form of expression that helps a person to discover a whole new world! The different types of dances and dance styles that are prevalent all over the world are an indication of the popularity of this art form.
Every dance form has its own unique identity.
Waltz: The Waltz is a slow dance and has a beautiful form. This is one of the most attractive and rhythmic styles.
Foxtrot: Foxtrot, as a dance style, flexible and has a combination of slow and fast movements.
Quickstep: This style belongs to the International Style of Ballroom dancing which originated in the 1920′s. This dance includes many steps with quick momentum.
Cha-Cha-Cha: The Cha-cha-cha is a very energetic dance and is danced with passion and excessive energy.
Rumba: A sensual dance is based on slow hip movement. This is known for the slow rhythmic movements which are performed very gracefully.
Paso Doble: focus on hip movement and a highly energetic dance; this is a dance which is inspired from the Spanish bullfights.
Swing Dance: This dance originated in the 1920s – 1930s. There are many versions of the Swing dance such as the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, West Coast Swing, Rock and Roll etc. Rock ‘n’ Roll is a very sporty form of dance that is extremely popular as well.
A Belgian choreographer, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker has accused ‘Beyonce’ of ripping off her moves in the video for the R’n'B latest single Countdown. There’s footage of the striking resemblance of the two sets of steps performed by Beyonce and Anne.
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, is one of the most respected figures in the European Modern Dance scene. She has described the video as “plagiarism”. Beyonce’s single came out last week and the moves which are danced in the video can been seen long before when performed by Anne.
Details of the Video:
Ø In the video Beyonce is singing in an abandoned building with other dancers performing dance moves in the background in uncannily similar to a piece danced by De Keersmaeker’s dance company called ‘Rosas Danst Rosas’. It debuted in 1983, but is still being performed.
Ø The other moves which appear similar are those created by De Keersmaeker for her production ‘Achterland’, which won a Dance Screen Award in 1994.
Check out the video below for the similarities between the two!
The moonwalk is a dance technique which creates an illusion of the dancer being pulled backwards while attempting to walk forward. This is a pop move, which became popular around the world after “Michael Jackson” executed the dance moves during his performance of ‘Billie Jean’ in March, 1983. It became his signature move and now is one of the best known dance techniques in the world.
How to do the moon walk:
This is an illusion which creates the appearance of the dancer gliding in a backwards direction. It starts off with the front foot held flat on the ground and the back foot is in a tiptoe position. Next the front foot remains on the ground but it is slid lightly and smoothly backwards past the tiptoe back foot, now this foot becomes the front foot and is lowered while the back foot is raised to a tiptoe position
This is repeated over and over with variations added to create new routines.
The United States Postal Service celebrated the contributions to the Latino Art to American Culture by issuing four memorial postage stamps the showcase the four popular dances – Salsa, Cha-Cha, Mambo and Meringue.
Some of the Latin artists have created individual designs that express their personal interpretations of the Meringue, Salsa, Cha-Cha, and Mambo using the many vivid colours and sinuous shapes to capture the energy generated by the dancers moving to the dance beat.
Check out the intricate detailing on the collection of Salsa Commemorative Stamps:
The Melbourne Shuffle, which is alsoknown as ‘Rocking‘ is a rave and club dance that originated in the late 1980s in the underground rave music scene in Melbourne, Australia.
The basic movements in the dance are a fast heel-and-toe action with a style suitable for various types of electronic music. There are various formats and styles of the dance, some incorporate arm movements.People who dance the shuffle are called or referred to as rockers, as it was danced to rock music in the early 1990′s.
Origins of the Melbourne Shuffle are not known. But it’s been called “a cross between the chicken dance and a foot stomping robot”, many dancers use talcum powder or liquid to the floor to help them glide more easily, as they do many twists and turns including some 360 degrees spins and jumps in their routines.
