Limbo Dance History

Firstly, the reason it has been kept alive is because Native American dance teaches values by incorporating them into their movements and themes. Dancing is a creative and entertaining way to continue teaching younger members of the tribe about what they are to believe. Secondly, Native American dance tells stories of their ancestors. Dances passed down from generation to generation allow the younger generation to understand and interpret the dances and learn about the past. Without dance some tribal members may not know about their history. Finally, Native American dance keeps tradition alive. Dance has been around since the beginning of the Native American people. It is a way to pass on messages and teachings from the earliest tribes. Dance is so essential to Native American history, that it has been transmitted since the earliest Native Americans.

"The dance consisted of complex knee bending, ankle twisting, and kicking movements,"(Hicks 261). The dance was based off a song written by James P. Johnson. The song was based off the rhythms he heard being sung by Charleston port workers, (Hicks 261). The dance was popular during the roaring twenties.

There were many Indigenous Australian Aboriginals that danced different dances in different ways, when and where they performed dances varied immensely, as did the way they were taught or the reasons behind why they danced.

The third Mexican cultural activity that has survived and influenced the development of Chicana cultural practices in the U.S. is the Folklorico dances. These dances can be seen in the U.S. especially when there is a Mexican celebration or event. I personally experienced begin part of a group that danced folklorico. The dresses we used for the dance were inspired by the Yucatan look. We also accessorized with a crown of flowers made with fabric, long earrings, and a necklace of perals. We also combed all our hair back, and used make-up. It took alot of time to learn the three dances, and a lot of practice for the dance to come out good. In the end it was all worth it because I learned how to dance and how the women dress to dance. This cultural

Cuban-style salsa (also called Casino) can be danced either on the down beat ("a tiempo") or the upbeat ("a contratiempo"). Beats 1,3,5 and 7 are downbeats and 2,4,6 and 8 are upbeats.

The Lindy Hop and Jitterbug- Originally devised in the late 1920s, in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, The Lindy hop is characterized by intricate solo footwork following breaking away from the embrace of a couple. Popularly it is known as the jitterbug today. The name, though now encompassing many dance styles, formerly was thought to have originated from the fact that the whites when danced the Lindy Hop they appeared to be intoxicated.

“It was once believed that the name came from the stomping down of the terrain; however, legend tells that the dance was created by a handicapped Northern Plains boy who wished to dance” (Legendsofamerica.com,

The Deadman Dance can be best described as “stiff movements, those jerking limbs” (61) “Used to be an Elder would be on his own, facing all the others as they stood tight together, shoulder to shoulder” (61) The dance originated from the Noongar mimicking the movements of British soldiers, and has taken on various forms since then. Bobby adds his own variation of the dance, a swaying, rocking motion as if he were performing the dance on a rocking sail boat. “Bobby stepped out among the others, stiff-limbed and moving jerkily to the sound of his own frightening whistle” (62) The dance is significant to people of the Noongar as it showcases a form of togetherness, and individuality. “but with him it was a dance of life, a lively dance for people to do together, each man dancing same as his brothers except for the one man on his own, leading them.” (61) The reason the dance is called Deadman, “Sometimes, even though it’s a dance, you just stand dead still while one person our front moves his hand very fast, bends his arm at the elbow until the fingertips quiver beside his face. Then he stops dead still and everyone facing him does it the same, but all together.” (62) The Noongar have different variations of rituals and traditions to address different scenarios, such as, death, birth, marriage etc. For example, “No matter, but we need a dance performed, a corroboree. These visitors are our friends and we want to welcome them properly, make them feel at home. But only you, our Noongar friends, can truly do that.” (52) Bobby was the first one to make the dance his own, nobody had changed the dance before as they usually would follow what the tradition/rituals told them to do. “But Bobby changed all that; he made the dance his own.”

Culture and dance cannot remain stagnant, we must always move forward keeping with the times and keeping in touch with one another, and there is no better or more expressive way than through

The Ghost Dance & Cargo Cults The Ghost Dance of the Plains Indians and the Melanesian Cargo Cult are both Revitalization Movements. Each of these movements has sprung up due to contact with the broader, outside world. Inevitably, contact with groups of people you didn’t realize existed creates immediate challenges, questions and inspires novel thought. There are several different types of revitalization movements, and each of these respective ones falls under the branch of a specific kind. The Ghost Dance group is essentially a Millenarian movement, but in another sense, it is also a Nativistic movement.

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.

Since the beginning of time, music and dance has been a form of entertainment for millions of people. As audiences across the world prepare for dance performances, they typically expect to see something that is lively, exciting, and unique. However, what most audiences of dance and musical performances neglect to consider is the origins and importance these forms of dance and music have on culture. It is truly astounding how synonymous music and history have been and continue to be. Understanding the history and culture behind a certain piece of music only makes the experience more special than ever. People need to realize the significance music has had on the foundation and progression of each and every culture around the globe.

Unlike most types of music and dance, breakdancing has a relatively short history. In fact, the generation consisting of today’s youth is the first generation to not know a world without hip-hop or breakdancing. Breakdancing is thought to have been heavily influenced by a Russian folk-dance in Brazil known as the Frevo, which was a combination of martial arts and marching. It is believed that this dance was invented 500 years ago by African slaves working in Brazil. What made this dance so attractive to the African slaves was that it allowed the participants to get away with fighting. The Frevo, which later became known as the Capoeira, would in essence, be a battle between dancers, however when a guard came near the performance it would

Originating during the late 60’s early 70’s, this new style of dance was about to revolutionize the industry and the sport known as dancing. Popping up from around the Bronx, during one of the most violent times in New York’s History,

The man and woman face each other, with the man holding the woman's right hand in his left, and with his right arm around her. The Tango is the third dance to use this hold for couple dancing. The Viennese Waltz is the first dance done in this couple hold. It was very popular in Europe in the 1830's. Couple dancing before the Viennese Waltz was very formal and did not involve a lot of physical contact just mainly holding hands. About 10 years after the Viennese Waltz came the Polka. Also taking Europe by storm, the Polka became the newest craze to use this scandalous new hold. Tango was extremely different from anything that came before it, and was the biggest influence on all couple dancing in the Twentieth Century. The story of