Dance Resource Guide

1. Dance Resource Guide “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” - Muhammad Ali

2. Dance • Dance (from French danser) is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting. • In sports, gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming are dance disciplines while martial arts kata are often compared to dances. • Definitions of what constitutes dance are dependent on social, cultural, aesthetic, artistic and moral constraints and range from functional movement (such as folk dance) to virtuoso techniques such as ballet.

3. Dance • Dance can be participatory, social or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial or competitive. Dance movements may be without significance in themselves, such as in ballet or European folk dance, or have a vocabulary/symbolic system as in many Asian dances. Dance can embody or express ideas, emotions or tell a story. • Dancing has evolved many styles. Breakdancing and Krumping are related to the hip hop culture. African dance is interpretive. Ballet, Ballroom, Waltz, and Tango are classical styles of dance while Square and the Electric Slide are forms of step dances. • Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common. It not only involves flexibility and body movement, but also physics. If the proper physics is not taken into consideration, injuries can and are likely to occur. • Choreography is the art of creating dances. The person who creates (i.e., choreographs) a dance is known as the choreographer.

4. Dance • Dance categories by number of interacting dancers are mainly Solo dance, Partner dance and Group dance. • There is great variety in dance in the United States of America, it is the home of the hip hop dance and its derivative Rock and Roll, and modern square dance (associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country--nineteen U.S. states have designated it as their official state dance) and one of the major centers for modern dance. • There is a variety of social dance and concert or performance dance forms with also a range of traditions of Native American dances.

5. Training Session #1 • Conga • Parachute Dance

6. The conga is a Latin American carnival march that was first developed in Cuba and became popular in the United States in the 1930s and 1950s. The dancers form a long, processing line. It has three shuffle steps on the beat. Followed by a kick that is slightly ahead of the fourth beat. Conga Line

7. Parachute Dance • Purpose of Activity: The students will be able to perform a parachute dance which promotes rhythm, coordination, the development of upper body strength, and locomotor skills. • Suggested Grade Level: K-5 • Materials Needed: CD player, parachute with enough spots for each child in the class • Recommended music: “Behind the Clouds” by Brad Paisley from the Cars soundtrack • Beginning dance formation: Students begin facing the parachute with the handle of the parachute or the material of the parachute in both hands with an overhand grip. The parachute is held at waist level.

8. Step-Close Sequence • When the music begins hold for 4 sets of 8 counts. • 1-16 -- Step R to R side and close L, taking weight onto the L foot (2 counts). Repeat the move for a total of 8 times for a total of 16 counts. On the last count, tap with the L foot so that the move can be reversed. • 1-16 -- Step L to the L side and close R, taking weight onto the R foot (2 counts). Repeat the move for a total of 8 times for a total of 16 counts.

9. Shake and Sway Sequence • 1-8 -- Stand in place and gently shake the parachute up and down to the music. • 1-8 -- Repeat the shaking movements. • 1-8 -- Students will all sway to the R for 2 counts, back to the center for 2 counts, to the L for 2 counts and back to the center for 2 counts. • 1-8 -- Repeat the swaying movements for 8 more counts.

10. The Mushroom Move Sequence • 1-8 -- Raise the arms above the head making the parachute lift into the air to form a “mushroom.” • 1-8 -- Students march under the parachute for 8 counts. • 1-8 -- Students march back from under the parachute for 8 counts. • 1-8 -- Students lower the parachute to the starting position. • 1-32 -- Repeat the entire “Mushroom Move” sequence.

11. Locomotor Skill Sequence • There will be instrumental music in the song. Students will face to the side and hold the parachute with the L hand. • 1-32 -- 16 skips - Each skip is 2 counts. Students can begin with either foot. Emphasize proper spacing and parachute “etiquette.” • 1-32 -- 32 runs - again emphasizing proper spacing and parachute “etiquette.” Students will need to face the parachute and take the beginning grip on the last 2 counts.

12. Parachute Dance • The singing will begin and the dance will start over. • After repeating the dance a second time, add the following 16 counts:1-16 -- Stand in place and gently shake the parachute up and down.The song then continues with several measures of instrumental music. • You can continue to repeat the dance or add your own locomotor skills or activities.

13. Training Session #2 • Folk Dance • Line Dance

14. Folk Dance • Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes: • Originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier. • Performance is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation. • Danced by common people and not exclusively by aristocracy. • Developed spontaneously and there is no governing body that has final say over what "the dance" is or who is authorized to teach it. Folk dances are traditionally performed during social events by people with little or no professional training. • New dancers often learn informally by observing others and/or receiving help from others. • Folk dancing is viewed as more of a social activity rather than competitive, although there are professional and semi-professional folk dance groups, and occasional folk dance competitions.

15. Folk Dance Terminology • The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to certain dances of historical importance in European culture and history; typically originated before 20th century. • The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances which are to a significant degree bound by European tradition and originated in the times when the distinction existed between the dances of "common folk" and the dances of the "high society". • The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance.

16. Folk Dance Types of folk dance include: • Clogging • English country dance • International folk dance • Irish dance • Morris dance • Nordic polska dance • Ball de bastons • Square dance • Sword dance • Some choreographed dances such as contra dance, Israeli folk dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are called folk dances, though this is not true in the strictest sense. • Country dance overlaps with contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Most country dances and ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with gradual refinement over the years.

17. Line Dance • A line dance is choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. • Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Older "line dances" have lines in which the dancers face each other, or the "line" is a circle, or all dancers in the "line" follow a leader around the dance floor; while holding the hand of the dancers beside them.

18. Line DanceDescription • In a small group there may be only one line, but usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other. In this parallel line formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized manner, but independently of each other. There are usually no moves that require any interaction between the dancers, other than they execute the maneuvers at the same time. • Although line dances can be fairly simple, as with the 18 count 4 wall beginner "Electric Slide," increasing complexity can be created through several means. In general, higher-count sequences are more difficult. (One "count" corresponds to one musical beat.) • The inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences of steps also makes a dance more challenging. When a line dance is done to fast music, it is usually more difficult. • Body movements other than steps, such as hand gestures, can add complexity. "Phrased" line dances are written to go with specific versions of songs. • Tags, bridges, and skipping over, or repeating portions of the dance, are all devices that are used to follow the phrasing in the music. • These phrased dances require dancers to be more conscious of the music and not simply repeat the same sequence of steps for an entire song. • Contra line dances such as "Wild Wild West" by Lana Harvery have two sets of lines with the dancers facing each other. Dancers may make momentary contact while coming close to, or passing, the dancer in the opposing line.

19. Line Dance History & Culture • Line dance is sometimes thought of as originating in the Wild West. In fact, it has a much more diverse background. Many folk dances are danced in unison in a single, nonlinear "line", and often with a connection between dancers. • The absence of a physical connection between dancers is a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s, including swing, rock and roll, and disco. The variety and popularity of line dances in the late 20th, and early 21st century is, however, noteworthy. • Line dancing's current popularity grew out of the disco period, when the country-western dance and music communities continued to explore and develop this form of dancing.

20. Line Dance Music • Line dancing has a cowboy image, and it was danced predominantly to country-western music. This has been changing since the 1970s, when the hustle line dance became popular. Line dancing became even more popular with a wider range of music in the 1990s, as more young people took up line dancing (largely due to several pop bands releasing songs with videos featuring what later became line dances). • Today, country music may make up the minority of a line dance DJ's playlist, with the balance spread over a variety of musical styles both new and old. Genres including Celtic, Swing, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost anything else that has a regular beat.

21. Electric Slide Cha Cha Slide The Hustle Cupid Shuffle Boot Scootin' Boogie Achy Breaky Heart Macarena Chicken Dance Cotton Eye Joe Popular Line Dances

22. "Cotton Eye Joe" is also a popular spoke line dance that can be seen and danced at country western dance venues. The 1980 film Urban Cowboy sparked a renewed interest in the dance, and most recently a version of the song recorded by the Swedish band Rednex in 1994 as "Cotton Eye Joe" has become popular. The precise origins of this song are unclear, although it predates the American Civil War. "Cotton-Eyed Joe" has been a standard during the seventh-inning stretch at Texas Rangers baseball games since the team moved to Texas in 1972. "Cotton-Eyed Joe" is a popular American folk song known at various times throughout the United States and Canada, although today it is most commonly associated with the American South. Cotton-Eyed Joe

23. Line Dance Terms • Basic • A basic is one repetition of the main dance from the first count to the last not including any tags or bridges. In competition if this is danced "as written" with no variations, it is called "Vanilla" stop • Variation • Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner status will often replace a section of a dance (say 8 beats) with a compatible set of steps which is called a variation. This is often required in competitive line dancing. • Count • A dance will have a number of counts, for example a 64-count dance. This is the number of beats of music it would take to complete one sequence of the dance. This is not necessarily the same number of steps in the dance as steps can be performed on an and count between two beats, or sometimes a step holds over more than one beat. • Restart • A restart is a point at which the basic dance sequence is interrupted and the dance routine is started again from the beginning. Restarts are used to fit the dances to the phrasing of the music.

24. Line Dance Terms • Step • A dance is made up of a number of movements called steps. Each step is given a name so teachers can tell dancers to perform this step when teaching a dance. The most well-known is the grapevine (or vine for short), which is usually a three-step movement to the side, with the fourth step added to complete the measure. There can be any number of movements in one step. • Tag / Bridge • A tag or bridge is an extra set of steps not part of the main dance sequence that are inserted into one or more sequences to ensure the dance fits with the phrasing of the music. The term tag usually implies only a few additional counts (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas bridge implies a longer piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally interchangeable, however.

25. Line Dance Terms • Wall • Each dance is said to consist of a number of walls. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, be facing in a direction half-way between two walls; but at the end of the sequence they will be facing the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference. • In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning. • In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set. The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall. • In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning. As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall.

26. Step Descriptions • Descriptions of some dance steps in their typical form are below. They are subject to variations in particular dances, where a stomp or a point may occur instead of a touch, for example, in the grapevine. • Chasse: One foot moves to the side, the other foot is placed next to it, and the first foot moves again to the side. • Grapevine: One foot moves to the side, the other moves behind it, the first foot moves again to the side, and the second touches next to the first. There are variations: the final step can consist of a hitch, a scuff, placement of weight on the second foot, and so forth. The name of the step is sometimes abbreviated to vine. • : To the left or the right. This is a grapevine with a cross in front as well as a cross behind. Creates a slight zig zag pattern on the floor. • Triple Step: This is 3 steps being taken in only 2 beats of music. Can move forward, backward, left, right or on the spot. • Shuffle step: A triple step to the front or the back, left or right side, starting on either foot. The feet slide rather than being given the staccato (short and sharp) movement of the cha-cha. There is a slight difference in the interpretation of the timing to give the element its distinctive look. It is counted as 1 & 2, 3 & 4, etc. However, the actual amount of time devoted to each of the 3 steps in the shuffle is 3/4 of a beat, 1/4 of a beat, then one full beat of music. • Lock step: A triple step backwards or forwards, starting on either foot, with the second foot slid up to and tightly locked in front of or behind the first foot before the first foot is moved a second time in the same direction as for the first step. • Other steps include: butterfly, coaster step , hitch, jazz box, kick ball change, kick ball step, lunge, mambo step, , , paddle, pivot turn, rock step, scissor step, scuff, , stamp, stomp, and vaudeville.

27. Two Step • The two-step is a step found in many folk dances, and in various other dances. It seems to take its name from the 19th century dance related to the Polka. • A two-step consists of two steps in approximately the same direction onto the same foot, separated by a closing step with the other foot. For example, a right two-step forward is a forward step onto the right foot, a closing step with the left foot, and a forward step onto the right foot. The closing step may be done directly beside the other foot, or obliquely beside, or even crossed, as long as the closing foot does not go past the other foot. • Some types of two-step, or related steps, are named "lock step".

28. Triple Step • Triple Step is a generic term for dance step patterns that describes three steps done on two main beats of music. Usually they are two quick steps and one slow one, i.e., often they are counted as "quick-quick-slow", "one-and-two", "three-and-four", etc. • Some dances have a pattern known as such: "triple step". In some other dances it is referred to as the shuffle step. • Some triple steps are performed in a chasse-like manner: "side step, together, side step". The "cha-cha chasse" is an example of this kind of a triple step. In some other cases the steps may be done in place. • Some dances such as swing dances have several variants of triple step.

29. Training Session #3 • Mexican Hat Dance • Chicken Dance

30. Mexican Hat Dance • The Jarabe Tapatío, known in English as the Mexican hat Dance, is the title of the musical piece and the dance that accompanies it, which is accorded the title of the "national dance of Mexico". • In the Spanish language, jarabe is a sort of dance, and the adjective tapatío indicates something from Guadalajara, Jalisco.

31. Mexican Hat Dance • The Jarabe Tapatío dance in its standardized form was first choreographed by the Mexican, in the early twentieth century to celebrate a government-sponsored fiesta that commemorated the successful end of the Mexican Revolution. • Since then it has become a folk dance popular throughout Mexico and the Southwestern United States as a symbol of the national pride and honor of the Mexican people.

32. Mexican Hat Dance • The dance tells the story of love and courtship. It can be performed either by a couple or a group of couples. A charro, dressed in the traditional "charro suit", a three-piece suit composed of a vest, jacket, and pants bearing silver buttons down the seam), makes initial courtship gestures to la china (wearing the traditional China Poblana outfit). • Just as he has impressed the woman, he becomes "drunk" with glory, and is shooed away as a "borracho" (an inebriate), but ultimately, he succeeds in "conquering" the china, throwing his hat to the ground and kicking his leg over his partner's head as she bends down to pick it up. • The two do a triumphant march to a military tune called a diana, and the dance ends with a romantic turn or the couple hiding their faces behind the man's sombrero in a feigned kiss.

33. Mexican Hat Dance • As you listen to the melody, try to feel the beat of the music. Repeat "1,2, 3, and 4" over and over in your head. This will help you to put the arm motions, foot steps and claps together. Sometimes, the beat gets faster. When the music speeds up, your dance movements must be quick. The Mexican Hat Dance can be performed with one partner or a group. • The starting position is standing with feet together and hands at sides. Begin the dance on the count of "1" by folding your left arm across your stomach. Your left hand can have a soft fist. Place your right elbow on your left hand. Your right hand is open like you are waving. Fling your right hand back. At the same time, put your right heel out. • On the count of "2", fold your right arm across your stomach. Your right hand can have a soft fist. Place your left elbow on your right hand. Your left hand is open like you are waving. Fling your left hand back. At the same time, put your left heel out. • On the count of "3", fold your left arm across your stomach. Your left hand can have a soft fist. Place your right elbow on your left hand. Your right hand is open like you are waving. Fling your right hand back. At the same time, put your right heel out. • On the counts of "and 4" , clap two times very fast. • Start over and repeat the motions of counts "1", "2", "3", "and 4", seven times.

34. Mexican Hat Dance • You can hear the music change. On the count of "1", clap. On the count of "2", clap. On the count of "3", clap. On the count "and 4", raise your arms high and shout " olé " (oh - lay) which means hooray in Spanish. Repeat these motions three times. • The music changes again to the beginning melody. Repeat the beginning motions four times. • Then, the music becomes fast and swirling. You are to hold hands with your partner or group and move quickly around in a circle. • The song starts over. So repeat all of the hand motions, steps, claps and shouts from the beginning. The dance ends with everyone moving quickly in a circle.

35. Chicken Dance • The "Chicken Dance" is an oom-pah song composed by Swiss accordion (Handharmonika) player Werner Thomas from Davos, Switzerland in the 1950s and the corresponding fad dance. • This is not the same dance as "The Chicken" popular in American rhythm and blues in the 1950s, in which the dancers flapped their arms and kicked back their feet in an imitation of a chicken.

36. Chicken Dance History • The name of the original Swiss song was Der Vogerltanz (The Bird Dance). Since 1963 Werner Thomas had played it in restaurants and hotels. During one of Thomas' performances, Belgian producer Louis van Rijmenant heard the song. Van Rijmenant had some lyrics created and in 1970 released it to the public, without much success. In 1977, Dutch local band "De Electronic" released an instrumental version, which became a hit, and started the international success of the song. On some recorded releases of the music Werner Thomas is listed as the composer, while on others other authors are listed, e.g., as "Thomas/Rendall/Hose", probably including the authors of the particular arrangement. Since then the song has become known under numerous other "birdie" names, including "Vogerltanz" (Bird Dance), "Danse des Canards", "Chicken Dance" and "Dance Little Bird". • The dance was introduced in the United States in 1981 during the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oktoberfest by the Heilbronn Band from Germany. They wanted to demonstrate the dance in costume but there were no duck costumes available anywhere near Tulsa. At a local television station, however, a chicken costume was available which was donated for use at the festival. And that is how the "Chicken Dance" got its name.

37. Dance Steps • Flap the wings up • The "Chicken Dance" song is accompanied by a dance requiring a group of people, and it goes as follows: • At the start of the music, shape a chicken beak with your hands. Open and close it four times, during the first four beats of the music. • Make chicken wings with your arms. Flap your wings four times, during the next four beats of the music. • Make a chicken's tail feathers with your arms and hands. Wiggle downwards during the next four beats of the music. • Clap four times during the next four beats of the music. • Repeat this process four times. • At the bridge, hold your arms straight, in imitation of an aeroplane. All dancers spin around the room in "flight" until the bridge ends. • (Alternately: At the bridge, link arms with the nearest person, turn right eight steps, switch arms and turn left eight steps, then repeat until the bridge ends) • The dance repeats, progressively getting faster and faster, until the music stops.

38. Text from Wikipedia Search. [On-line]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Images from Google Image Search. [Online]. Available: http://images.google.com/ Wikimedia Commons Search. [On-line]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page References

39. Additional Lesson Plans • Rhythm Activities • Interdisciplinary Dances • Choreography Activities