Dance Subject

Dance

Dance 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. 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. Dance can be participatory, social or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial, competitive or erotic. Dance movements may be without significance in themselves, such as in ballet or European folk dance, or have a gestural vocabulary/symbolic system as in many Asian dances. Dance can embody or express ideas, emotions or tell a story.

Dance Forums
Origins and History of Dance
Dance does not leave behind clearly identifiable physical artefacts such as stone tools, hunting implements or cave paintings. It is not possible to say when dance became part of human culture. Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations. Archeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures from circa 3300 BC and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka paintings in India. One of the earliest structured uses of dances may have been in the performance and in the telling of myths. It was also sometimes used to show feelings for one of the opposite gender. It is also linked to the origin of "love making." Before the production of written languages, dance was one of the methods of passing these stories down from generation to generation. Let's discuss more on historial aspects of dance.
Dance Classification and Genres
Dance categories by number of interacting dancers are mainly Solo dance, Partner dance and Group dance. Dance is preformed for various purposes like Ceremonial dance, Erotic dance, Performance dance, Social dance etc. Many early forms of music and dance were created and performed together. This paired development has continued through the ages with dance/music forms such as: Jig, Waltz, Tango, Disco, Salsa, Electronica and Hip-Hop. Some musical genres also have a parallel dance form such as Baroque music and Baroque dance whereas others developed separately: Classical music and Classical ballet. Let's discuss more on dance classification and genres.
Dance Studies and Techniques
In the early 1920s, dance studies (dance practice, critical theory, Musical analysis and history) began to be considered an academic discipline. Today these studies are an integral part of many universities' arts and humanities programs. By the late 20th century the recognition of practical knowledge as equal to academic knowledge lead to the emergence of practice research and practice as research. A large range of dance courses are available including: 1. Professional practice: performance and technical skills 2. Practice research: choreography and performance 3. Ethnochoreology, encompassing the dance-related aspects of Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Area studies, Postcolonial theory, Ethnography, etc. 4. Dance therapy or Dance-Movement Therapy. 5. Dance and technology: new media and performance technologies. 6. Laban Movement Analysis and Somatic studies.
Dance Competitions
A dance competition is an organized event in which contestants perform dances before a judge or judges for awards and, in some cases, monetary prizes. There are several major types of dance competitions, distinguished primarily by the style or styles of dances performed. Major types of dance competitions include: 1. Competitive dance, in which a variety of theater dance styles—such as acro, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and tap—are permitted. 2. Open competitions, which permit a wide variety of dance styles. A popular example of this is the TV program So You Think You Can Dance. 3. Dancesport, which is focused exclusively on ballroom and latin dance. A popular example of this is the TV program Dancing with the Stars. 4. Single-style competitions, such as highland dance, dance team, and Irish dance, which only permit a single dance style. Let's discuss more on dance competitions.
Dance in India
Dance in India has its origins in antiquity and continues in both classical and modern styles into the present. The presentation of Indian dance styles in film, Bollywood has exposed the range of dance in India to a global audience. India offers a number of classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The eight main styles are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Manipuri, Sattriya and Kathakali. Besides, there are several forms of Indian folk dances such as Bhangra, and special dances observed in regional festivals. Dance in early Bollywood films, was primarily modelled on classical Indian dance styles and particularly those of historic northern Indian courtesans (tawaif), or folk dances. Let's discuss more on indian dance.
Dance in Europe and North America
Concert dance, Ballet and African American dance are core at Dance in Europe and North America. Ballet developed first in Italy and then in France from lavish court spectacles that combined music, drama, poetry, song, costumes and dance. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was an explosion of innovation in dance style characterized by an exploration of freer technique. Early pioneers of what became known as modern dance include Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Mary Wigman and Ruth St. Denis. Let's discuss more on Dance in Europe and North America.
Australian Dance Forum
A wide variety of dance occurs in Australia. Classical ballet companies include the Australian Ballet. Other ballet and contemporary dance companies include the Australian Dance Theatre, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Leigh Warren & Dancers, Chunky Move, Mirramu Dance Company and the Sydney Dance Company. The Australian Dance Council (or Ausdance) is the peak body for dance in Australia. Bush dance has developed in Australia as a form of traditional dance, it draws on traditions from English, Irish, Scottish and other European dance. Favourite dances in the community include dances of European descent, such as the Irish Céilidh "Pride of Erin" and the quadrille "The Lancers". Locally originated dances include the "Waves of Bondi", the Melbourne Shuffle and New Vogue. Let's discuss more on Australian Dance.
Canadian Dance Forum
A wide variety of dance occurs in Canada. Ballet companies include the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada based in Toronto, Ballet Jörgen Canada based in Toronto, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens based in Montreal, the Alberta Ballet based in Calgary, Ballet BC based in Vancouver, Ballet Kelowna, Ballet du Printemps based in Vancouver, Ballet Victoria, Canadian Pacific Ballet based in Victoria, and the Goh Ballet in Vancouver. There are many modern dance companies including Toronto Dance Theatre, O Vertigo in Montreal, Compagnie Marie Chouinard in Montreal, Danny Grossman Dance Company in Toronto, Mocean Dance in Halifax and Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers. Let's discuss more on Canadian Dance Forum.
Dance in the United States
There is great variety in dance in the United States of America, it is the home of the Lindy Hop 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. Let's discuss more on dance in USA.
Health risks of professional dance Forum
The health risks of professional dance (and particularly with the more strenuous forms of ballet and contemporary dance) are those generally found in sports injuries. Dancers risk injury within the course of their career, many retiring from active performance in their mid to late 30s. Since dance is a performance art with emphasis on aesthetics, dancers are also at a higher risk of body image problems and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Let's discuss more on Health risks of professional dance.
Various Dance Styles Forum
Let's discuss more on Various Dance Styles. 1. Folk dance 2. Pom 3. Ballroom dance 4. Latin dance 5. Swing Dance 6. Street dance 7. Traditional dance 8. Ceremonial dance 9. Liturgical dance 10. Participative dance improvisation 11 Miscellaneous 12 Hardcore dancing