Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Working out your legs involves targeting both your inner and outer thighs. Learn about good leg shape for tights with help from a professional belly dance performer and instructor in this free video clip.
Irish or step dancing, a traditional Celtic social dance form, gained its greatest popularity in the mid-1990s with the hit musical production, “Riverdance.” Characterized by fast, precise foot and leg movements contrasted by a very still upper body, step dancing is an exciting dance form performed solo or in a group that demands stamina, style and grace. Because the leg and foot movements are the very heart of this unique dance form, selecting the proper step dance shoe is essential.
German polka dances are quite simple and require two people. Get German polka dance instructions with help from a dancer and choreographer in this free video clip.
When it comes to Folk dancing, there are just as many things that you shouldn't do as there are things you should. Learn about the do's and don'ts of Folk dancing with help from a dancer and choreographer in this free video clip.
Polka dancing is easy, so long as you can get a handle on the proper steps. Learn the steps of polka dancing with help from an expert in ballroom dancing in this free video clip.
The Twist dance is one that was made popular initially during the 1950s. Learn about the Twist dance from the 1950s with help from a former Radio City Rockette and Broadway performer in this free video clip.
A belly dance hip drop is something that needs to be done in a very specific way. Find out how to do a belly dance hip drop with help from a professional instructor, dancer and choreographer in this free video clip.
The coin bra is the most alluring and sensual piece of a bellydancer's costume and the look is common with these dance enthusiasts. For many women who dedicate so much time and effort to this lifestyle, making a bra decorated with coins is a personal achievement. Since it is often considered the centerpiece of the outfit it's important that every coin is in the right place and has enough room to jangle with each and every swing of the hips. Sewing these pieces to the bra can be very time-consuming, but in the end your bra will truly be a…
Polka is a type of ballroom dance that was originally a Czech peasant dance, before it was introduced to the ballrooms of France, England and -- through European immigrants -- the U.S. It is a lively dance, based on an uncomplicated four-count pattern. The pattern remains throughout the routine, even during the twists and the promenade position. Despite its ostensible simplicity, the Polka dance takes time and practice to master. Having a practice partner is essential, as the Polka requires you time your steps in accurate synchronization with your partner.
Belly dancers put together costume pieces that accentuate their bodies and the movements their bodies make. Lightweight fabrics and sparkling adornments are frequently added to enhance a dancer's costume. Make an armband that will fit securely around your arm and draw attention to the fluidity of your arm movements. Add beauty with a little sparkling lame and sheer chiffon.
Whether its for a luau, a beach party or Halloween, a man's hula costume is a fun, festive way to dress up. Rather than purchasing a pricey hula outfit at a costume shop, save some money by heading to a craft store and purchasing supplies so you can put together your own hula outfits. A homemade costume also ensures that you create a hula outfit that fits just right.
Wearing bells around the ankle is a dancing practice in several cultures including India, Africa and the Middle East. The bells are part of the elaborate dancing system designed to evoke provocative feelings or drive away evil spirits. In modern times, the bells are used to enhance the dance only, and most people use the anklets for fun, rather than religious purposes. Making a bell anklet is not difficult, and will add authenticity to any Indian-style dancing, such as belly dancing.
The institution of marriage, the religious and legal binding of two individuals together, exists in most cultures with small variations. What are unique, however, are the traditions which different cultures have surrounding both the ceremony itself and the period of engagement which precedes it. Traditionally, engagements in China were a series of carefully negotiated transactions between the family of the bride and the family of the groom.
The Snowball Dance, also known as a winter formal or the Sadie Hawkins dance, takes place at the end of January or beginning of February at high schools. It is often part of Winter Weekend or is thrown to celebrate the end of midterms. The Snow Ball gives students a reason to celebrate halfway between homecoming and prom. It is a much-anticipated event by high school students, especially underclassmen who are too young to attend the prom. Students get decked out, dance with their friends and enjoy refreshments and beautiful decorations in the gymnasium or a rented venue.
Use a flowing, silk veil or wide scarf in your Middle Eastern-inspired dance routine to add more color and movement. A scarf is often introduced at the very beginning of a belly dance show or near the end to add more excitement to the finale. The scarf should be a little wider than half your height and a little longer than your arm span. Choose music that has a medium tempo and flowing music, since a dance with a veil needs to be fluid.
The hula dance has been a cultural tradition on the Hawaiian islands since ancient times. Hawaiians tell stories through the dance, using hand motions, chants and songs to portray everything from sharks to palm trees to wars. Both men and women hula dance, and while fewer Hawaiian men perform the dance today, it is still preserved as a part of Hawaii's cultural history. There are many hula dances and movements; try learning a few basic moves first, like the Kaholo step and the Ami step.
African dancing is a fitness activity and popular pastime around the world. This style of dance builds muscle tone and stamina, and for many is an energetic form of stress relief. African dancing can be difficult for those new to the movements, but there are several, easy ways to improve.
Traditional dance masks in Indonesia, known as "topeng" in Indonesian, originated over a thousand years ago. The dance dramas, or "wayang topeng," in which the masks are worn, derive from stories of an ancient hero or from two legendary Indian epics. Masks represent a range of ancient characters and are often elaborately crafted. Many, especially the older ones, have become collector's items and are found in museums.
The hula skirt, also known as the "grass skirt," is an action costume item in "Club Penguin." Equip the hula skirt and your penguin will dance a hula dance whenever you click on the dance action button on the lower left side of the screen. There are two ways in which you can get the hula skirt in the game. Either way, the skirt will cost 200 coins, so make sure you save up enough before you attempt to purchase it.
Rice has been an important part of the Chinese diet and traditions for thousands of years. In Chinese culture, rice symbolizes luck, fertility and wealth. According to China.org, before the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), rice was a specialty food offered as a sacrifice to the gods and it was used for wine-making. Rice was also used to make other kinds of foods that became traditional for festivals and holidays. Today, Chinese people still continue their rice-eating customs for ordinary family meals and festivities.
Though elements of African dance are found throughout American popular dance traditions, they often differ considerably in their original form. The storytelling aspects and ritualistic function of many African dances are almost entirely absent in popular American dance. Communal involvement, prevalent in African dance, is also largely absent in popular American dance, with the notable exception of square-dancing.
Afro fusion is a style of dance that was born shortly after the apartheid as a means of artistic expression that was previously frowned upon. This new dance type and the music that accompanies it allowed South Africa to experience new freedoms and bring life and energy back into its culture. Nowadays, Afro fusion is becoming more popular as mainstream dance schools hold special workshops and regular classes that allow many to learn how to dance this style.
Cumbia is a Latin American dance and music genre. Originally created by African slaves along the Atlantic coast of Colombia, the style has proliferated over the years and is now popular the world over. The dance began specifically as a courtship ritual, with male and female dancers partnered up. Cumbia is meant to be a sensual, romantic movement, so it's important that the dancers perform it well enough to achieve such an effect.
Any performance of the Hawaiian art of fire dancing is correctly executed and most exciting when accompanied by music. The music that accompanies such an intense, high energy dance must be high energy as well. Thus, the music is fast and focuses mainly on rhythm rather than melody. Because of this, percussive instruments are used when creating flame dancing music. This allows the focus to remain on the dancer or dancers, as the instrumentalists sit in the background as the backbone of the performance.
Although no one knows exactly how old belly dancing is, there are records dating back to pre-Aryan India and ancient Egypt. Belly dancing is an intricate art form that takes many years to master. The dancers train regularly and condition their bodies to perform the many belly dancing concepts. Common concepts include belly rolls, backbends, arm movement and the shimmy. Interested parties can find belly dancing instruction in or near their cities, online, and on tape or DVD.
Cumbia dance began during the Spanish colonization in popular South American regions such as Colombia and Panama. The dance was typically done to drums and claviers. Cumbia was considered a street dance and the upper middle class generally reviled it as a vulgar dance style. The basic steps for the Cumbia are simple and considered by many to be easy to execute with minimal practice.
The painting "Blue Veil" is a work by William Morris, one of the stars of the arts and crafts artistic movement in 20th century America. The piece itself is a an abstract painting that features a multicolored design that looks somewhat three dimensional, like a curtain or veil with folds in it. The painting is done with acrylic resin paint, a thick material that allows artists to add texture and depth to their works.
Traditional Irish jigs are variations on a series of basic steps that vary in speed and rhythm. But Ireland is not the only country with a tradition of jig dancing. The word jig is derived from a French verb, "giguer," which means "to dance." England, Scotland and the U.S. all have jigs of their own. But as of 2011, the Irish culture dominates traditional jig dancing with various jigs for different occasions. An Irish jig is performed solo or with a group of dancers that trade partners. Solo dances are performed for an audience, while partnered dances are danced at…
A beat is one unit that can be seen as part of an overall equation that creates a musical piece. Math is the same in that each unit acts as one piece of an overall combination. Using math as a means of counting out steps and combining them for dance moves is one way that teachers can instruct their students. This method helps the dancer grow but also is a creative and entertaining tool for teaching dance and math to young students.
MC Hammer's hit, "Can't Touch This," is an iconic song from the end of the 80s. Hammer's song is often remembered because of the song's unique styling and dance moves. Make it "Hammer Time" at your next party by busting out the Hammer dance. While it is not necessary to change into loose, baggy sweatpants, it will make you more comfortable while dancing and help enhance the visual effect that you are trying to create.
Hula is a Polynesian dance that is commonly used for entertainment purposes at luaus and other Hawaiian parties. The original dance was done as a spiritual ritual, but the hula is now performed in the spirit of fun and the rich culture of Hawaii. Part of dancing the hula is using the correct hand gestures. A good hula dance should include graceful, lovely hula hands that tell the story just as well as the other parts of the body.
Many find dancing the best cure for the blues, but some people seem too. shy or jaded to even consider it. Certain substances such as sugar and caffeine seem almost designed to help such people overcome their hang-ups. Doing the "hyper dance," a spontaneous, energetic outburst of the inner child, provides a golden opportunity to throw off your limitations and reconnect with the innocent child-like joie de vivre dwelling deep within.
Polka, the Central European style of dance performed exclusively in pairs, is celebrated not only in areas with German, Polish and Austrian populations, but also throughout the United States. Polka band festivals involve traditional polka music, polka dancers and plenty of food and drink. The most elaborate festivals use participants dressed in traditional clothing and can be considered a cultural immersion experience.
In the Wild West, those days when the American frontier was still being explored and settled by waves of immigrants who were brand new to the country, dancing was an integral part of life. Each European ethnicity had its own form of folk dance that those immigrants brought over from the old world, yet at the same time America was evolving its own musical styles. That means dancing in the Wild West was eclectic and varied, and drew upon many different influences.
The erhu is an ancient Chinese instrument that is played with a violin bow, and dates back to the 7th century and the Tang dynasty. It has only two strings that are pressed against a wooden fretboard to change their pitch. During the Cultural Revolution in China, the erhu and its repertoire were boosted into new popularity by the government, and ever since, the sound has become irrevocably associated with China and other southeast Asian countries.
The hula dance is part of traditional Hawaiian culture. It is a dance that combines a variety of particular hand movements and footwork. Every movement in this dance is significant, as it tells a story. The hula was originally a religious dance that was accompanied by chanting, although because few people knew the meaning of the words being chanted, more significance was given to the dance moves, according to Alternative Hawaii.com. Learn to dance the hula by discovering some simple moves and their meanings.
The characteristics of West African music are identifiable through their fast-paced, complex, unusual methods of interpreting rhythm. Listening to the music of West Africa is a powerful experience that saturates the senses in sound. Since song and dance are used as an expression, these art forms have been integrated into the culture. Music and dance rely on each other to function as a whole in African culture.
Once you reach the prizewinner level of Irish step dance competition, it's frequently required by feis (step dance competition) judges that you have your own personalized, or solo, competition dress. These dresses are unique, and custom-made dresses can be expensive, running anywhere from $500 to more than $1,000. Tailors that fulfill orders for custom competition dresses each have their own procedure for placing an order, but there are a few basics to keep in mind when ordering a dress.
The ami, or hip rotation, is a basic moves of hula dancing. Do do the the ami, you must be able to move your hips in a circle. Getting your hips to move in a circular motion takes a bit of skill and practice. Once you are comfortable with the basic skills involved in performing ami, you can hula dance in place or as you rotate in a circle.
Stepping, a percussion style of dancing where the dancers make their own movements using their feet and bodies, can be traced back hundreds of years to African roots. Stepping was a part of the slave culture as a means of communication, as well as a way of expressing their culture. Modern-day stepping can take many forms and incorporates a variety of influences and styles.
The shakuhachi flute has been part of traditional Japanese music since the eighth century. Each instrument is individually hand-crafted, producing slightly different pitches and tones. Unlike Western flutes, a shakuhachi has no moving parts, and players only have five keys with which to create whole scales. The instrument often is used as a meditative aid, and many shakuhachi masters play as part of their religious practice. Unlike many other instruments, the shakuhachi does not require a great amount of manual dexterity, making it a good choice for people who want to learn an instrument in adulthood.
Belly dance is more than a great form of exercise, it's also a connection to an ancient tradition. Turkish, Egyptian and gypsy women belly danced for one another to encourage fertility and easy childbirth, but today you can find belly dance classes at your local gym. One celebrity at the forefront of the modern belly dance craze is the singer Shakira, whose smooth shimmies and undulations are the result of dedicated practice. These two basic moves are the foundation of belly dance.
Understanding the elements of dance is fundamental to any dancer's education. Designing a curriculum that includes lessons on each of the major elements of dance is imperative to a dance student's understanding of dance as not only an art form but as a spatial entity. With some effort, effective lesson plans for the elements of dance can be designed using four key concepts.
Cumbia is a music that first emerged in Colombia and has spread to various Latin American countries and Latino communities in the U.S. and Europe. It's a combination of indigenous and African rhythms and melodies. The music follows a basic 4/4 beat, which makes it well-suited to dancing. You can dance to the music at clubs, where it's often mixed with other musical genres, and at cumbia parties featuring live bands.
Dance teams exist at every level and for almost every style of dance. Whether you are a beginning ballroom dancer or a college athlete, there are many benefits to dancing on an amateur, professional or school team. Dance teams allow you to socialize, improve your dance skills, perform with a group and enhance your resume. Some dance teams even provide college scholarships. The reasons for belonging to a dance team may vary by dancer, but almost any dancer can benefit from dancing with a team.
Red is a striking color, and often stands for danger or is utilized by authorities as a warning, so it's used to spread those message in numerous flags around the world. Red is also a color associated with politics, and, for some countries, nationality, and it's been the color of choice for the flags of socialist countries since the early 20th century. Some national flags are predominately red, but feature other colors as well.
Jamaican music encompasses a wide range of styles such as ska, rocksteady, dancehall and reggae. Many of these styles influenced one another and can trace their origins back to a combination of African and European musical traditions. Another decisive influence on the evolution of these styles was the mutable popular music tradition of the United States.
"Riverdance," a popular stage show featuring Irish music and dance, made Irish step dancing a worldwide phenomenon when it premiered in the United Kingdom in 1994. Because of the show's immense international popularity, many people incorrectly call Irish step dancing "river dance." Others also confuse the fast footwork featured in "Riverdance" with Scottish highland dance. While both dance traditions have Celtic roots and share some similarities, many distinctions separate Irish step dance from Scottish highland dance.
A children's dance team has energy, and it doesn't hurt to focus on that energy when naming your group. Words that convey youth and enthusiasm help create a sense of excitement about your dance team. Build the buzz by choosing a name that does your young performers justice.
Polka bands in the United States have their roots in traditional Eastern European music from Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Several bands from Pennsylvania have earned a reputation as strong polka performers, with styles ranging from Slovenian-style polka -- a popular form of polka in Cleveland, Ohio -- and the Chicago Push, a style originating in Chicago, Illinois. Most Pennsylvania polka bands play at block parties, polka festivals and band halls.
