Dance Ethnography

Response: I found Katherine A. Dettwyler’s, Dancing Skeletons; Life and Death in West Africa very interesting though I did not like the way in which it was written. To me it was written in a very scattered brain way, similar to how a hyperactive childs diary would look like. At times when Dettwyler was trying to explain something, she would go into tangents, mostly about her own personal opinions of the topic, which ruined the mood of the book, lessened the impact of whatever she was talking about at the time and frankly, it just annoyed me. I found it difficult to understand what was trying to be said and it made it difficult to read. I think if she didn’t try to cover so much in such a small book- malnutrition, female circumcision and other random topics- I would have enjoyed it more. One thing that I did like was how she wasn’t political on her trips to Mali, she just talked to people. She didn’t preach just talk and I think that’s what helped improve these people’s lives. It was interesting but I wouldn’t read it again or recommend it like I did for the Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.

The dancers run out onto the stage and form two straight lines consisting of three girls in the front and three girls in the back. As the piece progresses this formation does not vary other than to switch lines. Once on stage, the music finishes the introduction and the happy, lively, carnival type music begins. The dancers throw confetti onto the audience members and begin their variations of shimmying, hip thrusting, being overly dramatic and movements that were highly sexualized. Each movement seems as though it was choreographed in order to make the dancer’s body shake specifically within the bosom and the buttock. The dancers’ facings were both front and back displaying the entirety of the female body. Within the clip at 28 seconds the camera focuses only on the female’s buttock as it its shaking from side to side in time with the music. By 37 seconds colored streamers fly down from the stage as the dancers walked dramatically in unison

The music played a large role in determining the style of the pieces in the show by Koresh Dance Company. It set the theme and mood for the dances. Also, the choreography was dependent on the beats and variations in the music. This basis added to the themes of the dances as well.

Modern dance was created as a rebellion against the prevalent dance forms of the time, ballet and Vaudeville. It is a form of theatrical dance, known for its continual fusion of non-western style and ideas, which allows for a fresh source of movement inspiration. Choreographers rejected what they classified as the inflexible and imperialistic nature of ballet, and in order to be taken seriously as artists rather than simple entertainers they created a new art form. Artists Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, and Ruth St. Denis are considered to be the pioneers of modern dance in America. Dance is a social institution, recognized as being an important function in civilized life. The following essay will focus on the theory and work of artist Isadora Duncan, while incorporating lecture notes and articles of both authors Sally Bane and Ann Daly to explain the historical situations that culminated in the development of early modern dance. Arising from the 20th century modern dance was a form of cultural collaboration and exploration, as well as a resistance to colonial repression. Modern dance allowed for the experimentation of the new as well as a freer form of dance movement. Choreographers drew on exotic sources, and example of this illustrated in the work of Isadora Duncan with her use of Greek culture as a movement inspiration. Artists act as both the choreographer and performer creating their own conventions, or dance language.

This website talks about how dance qualifies as a sport. Aubree James believes that dance is a sport and talks about actual evidence that qualifies dance as a sport. Comparing dance to the legal definitions that defines a sport dance is considered a sport. I can use this in my article because it's evidence nobody can dismiss when arguing this subject."Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in

Since I was a little girl I’ve always been part of something. But none of the activities I did really filled me. I became part of a dance academy when I was 13 years old, and it was because my sister wanted to learn to dance for her Quinceañera. It’s kind of ironic how something that would be very important to me started so simple. But I guess that’s just how the best things in life happens.

In one my classes; Dance Appreciation, I had an assignment to view a dance piece on YouTube. The dance that I viewed was called “She without arm, he without leg, Hand in Hand”. The dance was not only informative, but it was enlightening to watch.

1) My favorite type of music is hip hop. I grew up listening to great hip hop artists such as Eminem, Drake, and Lil Wayne. I like this kind of music so much because I can express myself through listening to hip hop. All my family and friends listen to hip hop also.

However, I would be ready to move up a ballet level if I wasn’t graduating. I believe that my technique has improved a lot, especially after taking another ballet class. I am able to apply critiques well, because they stick in my head and I make sure to try to apply them. The critiques I noticed that I have a hard time applying is spotting in my turns. I try to make sure to know how to do any exercises given on the left and right side, so that I am prepared. That way I have less of a chance of messing up, or forgetting it. I make sure to listen for any critiques given or helpful tips. Altogether, I think I would be ready as a student to move up a

This essay will compare and contrast the dance styles of the European Americans and the Native Americans that were born from the cultural beliefs and expression that shaped how dance played a role in both cultures. The dancing styles of the Native Americans had ritual and spiritual meaning to the people of the tribes, who believed that certain spirits could be contacted through these dances, which would lead of a bountiful hunting trip or help protect warriors in a coming battle (Overture Center, 2010). The dancing styles of the European Americans were very formal and structured dances that were performed in many social occasions as courtship rituals between a man and a woman, but often would see partners shifting and moving around the room

As an African American I have felt the brunt of the under representation of minorities in dance. The dance world is changing, it is becoming more diverse and we see society is opening up to various dance styles. Though this is the case, if one were to look-up “professional dancer” on google, a minority is nowhere to be found with-in the first few images. La A.M.I.D is going to bring together minorities who have the common passion of dance. Building a community among minorities to increase exposure to the many minority owned dance companies and studios. Informing members of professional training and job opportunities. Educating members on the minorities who help revolutionize the dance world. As well as provide industry tips and tricks. Empowering

For this task I was working with the idea of giving movement an audible musicality. This concept came from my initial research that evolved out of the self-portrait solo task. I continued this investigation by exploring movements with audible qualities in order to create distinguishable rhythms using the floor and the body. I began researching material by looking back at my solo and developing the movement. From this I created 4 phrases, which I used to start building the piece.

Thus, far in Ballet III, I have seen major progress within myself from the beginning until now. Seeing this progress, the emotional roller coaster that I have been on has been worth it. I came back to school at the beginning of the semester thinking that I would be able to perform more than I could. Throughout ballet, I have not been able to fully grand plié, lift my leg higher than 45 degrees and jump during petite allegro and grande allegro. Not being able to do these certain things, I have strongly focused more on my performance quality in class.

The Table of Silence Project preformed on September 11, 2011made a clear stance on terrorism and peace on Josie Robertson Plaza at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The choreographer is Jacqulyn Buglisi joined by artistic collaborators Dance/NYC and The September Concert, the dancer are from Buglisi Dance Theater, The Julliard School, Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, The Ailey School, National Dance Institute, Ballet Hispanico, STEPS on Broadway, and Peridance Capezio Center.

Dance has been a natural movement form since the beginning of time. The origin of dance is unknown, just as the knowledge of the benefits of dance are unknown to many in our society. Many people do not enjoy dancing and also do not fully understand the positive benefits that come from dancing. Researchers such as Edwards, Duberg, and many more have found countless mental and emotional benefits of dance that originate from movement patterns, brain connections, and even expressions of emotion. Many are aware of the physical benefits of dance, but beyond the physical benefits of dance, there are also emotional and mental benefits that come from dance as well.