Rhythms That Dance

1. Rhythms That Dance Rhythm that Moves!

2. Activating Activity • “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie.” Agnes de Mille, American Choreographer (1903-1993) • Read the quotation by Agnes de Mille. Write what you think Agnes de Mille means when she states that “bodies never lie”?

3. West Side Story Describe.

4. West Side Story • The music from “West Side Story” was written by Leonard Bernstein. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkdP02HKQGc • Mr. Bernstein used jazz to convey youthful vigor and violence. • Mambo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g7YR-qxT5w

5. West Side Story • In addition, he incorporated Latin American dance rhythms to characterize the Sharks, who are Puerto Rican. The dances depict the tension between the gangs. • They help to tell the story, so much so that the dances and their music embody the plot.

6. Latin America • Latin dances: • Tango – is a Latin American dance performed at a moderately slow, walk-like tempo in 4/4 meter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXhQNRsH3uc&feature=related • Samba – is an African-Brazilian dance that is faster and jazzier than the tango.

7. Irish Dance • Early Irish settlers brought their dances with them to America. Two dances that the Irish brought with them are • Reels and Jigs.Reels , from a word meaning “a weaving motion,” are danced to quick music in 2/4 or duple meter. • Reels are group dances for two to 16 dancers; they are one of the forerunners of American square dancing. • Jigs use 6/8 music with a triple feeling. The name jig refers to the dancers’ vigorous up-and-down body movements. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laQJSgebiys&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py2TiFsq9T0&feature=related

8. Conjuto Dances • Conjuto is a dance music created by Mexicans in Texas. • Steady duple polka rhythm • Features the button accordion • 12-string Mexican guitar, electric bass guitar and drum set • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqbjVWX8vp8

9. Hula • Refers to movement and gestures • Developed thousands of years ago by Hawaii’s original Polynesian settlers • Expression of poetry in physical form • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR0KgQQRKqo

10. Ballet • Ballet is the refined style of classical dance emphasizing • the verticality of the body, • the outward rotation of the legs • with fluid foot and leg work, • and virtuosic turns and jumps. • It emerged in Italy and France during the sixteenth century.

11. The Nutcracker • Describe this music and the dancing. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBDODIWeKbE

12. The Past • Three popular youth dances from the past are the Charleston, tap dancing, and the Lindy Hop. • Charleston – an athletic dance that includes kicks and inward leg rotations on syncopated beats of the music • Tap dancing – is a step dance in which foot movements produce audible rhythms emphasized by small metal plates on the soles of the dancer’s shoes • The Lindy Hop – www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBdAuXr4ssQ

13. Dances that Rock • Rock and roll influenced dances • The twist – a dance that was inspired by the song, “The Twist” from Chubby Checker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCO4sRLzsGk • Disco – a dance that was inspired by a mix of different styles of music put together like rhythm and blues, gospel, soul and Latin dance music.

14. Compare and contrast • View the following dancers and compare and contrast the styles that each set of dancers portray. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCV8Z-wDDY&feature=related