Dance History

Whether you are a student of dance or someone who enjoys informal social dancing, you may worry that your movements are too stiff and awkward. Ironically, feeling anxious about how you appear on the…

Cultural dances are of important significance to the historical representation of most every nation. Ballerinas and tap dancers are made famous on the modern world stage, but in the repertoire of…

Acting and dancing are more similar than many people outside these professions realize. Interestingly, the ties between the art forms sometimes allow performers to pursue both acting and dancing. The…

Aristotle defined the six most important elements of a dramatic work, outlined in his collection of works entitled "Poetics." He separated dramas into either comedies or tragedies, each with similar…

The Baroque style of art, characterized by dramatic colors and opulent design, dominated French artistic production during the 17th century. Many royal buildings were constructed in the style and the…

To teach people of any age how to dance, you must encourage the skill of matching dance steps to a rhythm pattern. If you teach counting steps as part of a recurring rhythm, learners can dance to any…

Hobnail boots are a sturdy pair of leather traveling and work boots. They were common to the middle and lower classes in Victorian-era England and were therefore common to several folk dances of that…

Dancers of every type value and actively pursue greater flexibility. Advanced choreography requires maximum range of motion in the joints and supple, flexible muscles. A dancer who invests time and…

"Dragon Ball Z" heroes come from a variety of different planets and backgrounds. The Metamorese Fusion Dance allows two of these heroes to combine their energies to create a single being exponentially…

Taking its roots in the history of the American West, a modern-day hoedown is a themed dance party in which people perform synchronized dances together. Generally, the community gathers in a barn or…

Dance is a universal form of expression and is used in cultures the world over to tell stories and convey feeling. From the sultry moves of Latin dance to the strength, beauty and graceful elegance…

Ballet dancers who perform on pointe are typically very particular about form and technique. While you can make the dance as traditional or unconventional as you like, the dances are usually performed…

A contemporary dancer will break the traditional rules of dancing as well as enhance them. Although in ballet, pointed toes and straight legs are the norm, in contemporary dance, this is not the case.…

Like virtually any other form of dance, mastering Caribbean dance takes practice and face-to-face interaction. The best way to be a convincing Caribbean dancer is to take lessons and become invested…

There is an endless supply of ideas to create a contemporary dance story. The tale a dancer tells with their routine can be light and fun or filled with intensity and drama. The dance becomes more…

Baroque dance was a theatrical and social style of dancing popular among the European upper classes during the Baroque period -- the 17th and 18th centuries. The style was particularly popular in…

From classic ballroom dancing to modern techno-heavy clubs, dance halls have played home to a variety of musical genres and movement styles since being popularized in Western culture. Though what was…

"Surfin' USA," the title song of the Beach Boy's second album, has a beat perfect for a fun-filled dance routine. Released in 1963, the song was the band's first major hit in the United States,and…

America is a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions, but long before the arrival of the Mayflower, the First Peoples danced in ceremonies across the continent. Today dance types include…

The 45 rotations per minute (rpm) record format was introduced in 1949, just a few years before the birth of rock and roll. This new and inexpensive format facilitated a boom in record sales, starting…

Art has been around for centuries. Some of the most popular types of art include Neoclassical Art and Romantic Art, both of which were influenced by the Greeks and Romans. Neoclassical Art began in…

The sound of the word "merengue" as it rolls off the tongue feels as rhythmic and rompy as the dance itself. Merengue is a type of Latin dance style that uses the hips to accentuate a two-beat…

Jesse James (1847 to 1882) lived a short and violent life, but it was long enough for him to become one of America's legendary folk heroes. As such, Hollywood quickly recognized a market for the Jesse…

The U.S. has a number of national dance associations that allow dance professionals and amateurs to connect with one another. Some dance associations focus on high school cheerleading while others…

PBS's "Broadway, the American Musical" distinguishes director/choreographer Bob Fosse as "visionary, intense and and unbelievably driven." Born in 1927, Fosse's parents enrolled him in tap lessons. He…

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has a history spanning more than 50 years. It has achieved international success while setting the standard for modern dance excellence and creating a distinct…

The performing arts are an integral part of the Philippine culture. Some dances date back to ancient tribes who showed gratitude for rain and bountiful harvests through movement. Dances enjoyed in the…

Encyclopedia Britannica calls the jitterbug an "exuberant ballroom dance." This type of swing dancing, characterized by fast movements to quick-tempo music, reached its heyday in the 1940s at the…

Haitian dance is a multicultural phenomenon. The movements and styles are earthy, soulful and graceful, with roots in African, French and Indian cultures. The 20th century brought a worldwide…

Throughout history, ballet has had a passionate following. The Pas De Quatre Dance was a big part of that, wowing audiences at London's His Majesty's Theatre on July 2, 1845. This ballet…

In the 1800s, fashionable ladies of Vienna, Austria, wore an unusual accessory to the ball. A small, leather-covered booklet known as a dance card either dangled from her wrist by a decorative ribbon,…

Beyond the brilliant costumes, infectious drums and dynamic movements, African dance enjoys a rich history that stresses the importance of language to music, and subsequently music to dance. Adama…

Caribbean style and ballet are two dance genres rarely seen blended in one performance. The Jamaican National Dance Theater Company achieved international success with this unlikely mix of styles, and…

The roots of dance in Armenia date back to 650 B.C., when Armenia was known as Hayastan. Over time, several cultures moving throughout the region influenced the cultural practices, including dances,…

Dance is an art form that combines rhythmic movements of the body and music. It can be traced throughout history as a part of rituals, celebrations, communication and self-expression.

Mexican folkloric dance has roots that go back many centuries. Though each region and state is home to various types of dance styles, they all have origins in the three main dance traditions.

Beginning with the Aztecs and Mayans worshiping their gods and dancing for plentiful crops to modern day dances depicting Mexican heritage and values, Mexico has a rich history of dance. There are…

Formal dance troupes didn't emerge in Europe until the 17th century; before that, dancing was primarily an activity engaged in by members of court and not merely watched by an audience, according to…

A fast-paced, 4-beat-per-bar dance, the merengue is the predecessor to the salsa dance. While the merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, it finds its roots elsewhere in…

Every region of Mexico claims a specific dance as one of the traditions of that region. These dances have evolved over hundreds of years and some have roots that date as far back as the Mayans. These…

Dance boasts a long-standing history in Japanese culture. Its roots extend deep into Shintoism, but it branches out into several different forms. Parasol dancing is one form of Japanese dance, which…

Candombe, the music and instrumentation that Uruguay now calls its own, has Central African origins. Derived from the Central African word "ndombe" (black) and "ka" (things having to do with),…

The merengue is a Latin American dance with roots extending back to the 1850s---the early days of the Dominican Republic. Written in 4/4 time, the merengue requires a move on every beat and its light…

Lyrical dance fuses ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques to create a contemporary dance style, known for its expressiveness and musicality. A continually evolving art form, lyrical choreographers…

The merengue is a lively, upbeat dance that displays the common Latin flair of hip isolations, twists and twirls. While it is now a partner dance, the merengue originated as a circle or a group dance…

Many cultures around the world use forms of movement as therapy or a cleansing ritual. Often times these rituals are set to music, which some classify as "holistic dance." Holistic dance utilizes the…

Even through the beginning of the 21st century, street dancing's (what is popularly known as break dancing) history, technique and styles were seldom chronicled. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact…

Flamenco dance has multiple influences, but has its roots in the Andalusia province of Spain; it is often associated with Gypsy culture. Over so much time, the exact details of its history have been…

Dance traditions from every corner of the globe integrate props and objects into their performances. Swords are a common prop in dances in many cultures. The inspiration for using a sword for…

The bodily expressions we offer to denote happiness, forgiveness, love, hate and a myriad of other human emotions are broadly referred to as dance. We move to the flow of what is in our heart, the…

The country of Laos, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, has a long tradition of dance. The Lao people, who form the ethnic majority, have a strong folkloric tradition that…

Samba-rock is a genre of Brazilian pop music, created in the 1960s and continuing to enjoy some popularity today. Like most Latin American musical forms, samba rock is made for dancing every bit as…

The Marinera is the national dance of Peru, or "La Danza del Peru." With an elegant couple, floating white handkerchiefs, and percussive music and clapping, it is representative of a traditional…

Dancing is one of the oldest human activities and is found in almost every human society. A dancer performing solo, whether in a ballet showcase, a competition, or just to show off at a discotheque or…

The art of Oriental dance, or belly dance, has its roots in the fertility cults of ancient Mesopotamia. (The term "orient" is derived from the Latin word "oriens," meaning east. Originally, it…

The traditional Japanese fan dance is usually performed by a young woman, either singly or in a group of dancers. It involves using a hand-held fan as a prop. The dancers often wear brightly colored…

Armenian dance gained international renown during the middle part of the 20th century, but its origins go back to the pre-Christian era. A portion of the Armenian culture was lost during the diaspora…

The Subli is a traditional folk dance of the Philippines which is still quite popular today. It is a ceremonial worship dance honoring the Holy Cross (or “Mahal Na Poong Santa Cruz” in…

Ballroom dancing is known for its many intricate and creative dancing styles, though some are lesser known than others. One of these hidden gems is the Peabody dance, which finds its roots in the…

While there were several forms of social and theatrical dance in the world during the baroque time period, baroque dance is the term that is used to reference the French noble dance style of the 17th…

France has long been associated with the arts, as the country has produced many famous artists and composers. As such, the French influence on dances such as ballet has been felt around the world.

Australia is a modern, highly developed nation that boasts both ancient traditions and modern artistic innovations. Known for natural wonders such as kangaroos, koalas, and the Outback, Australia also…

Today, barn dancing provides the same function that it did hundreds of years ago; it provides a group, family or community with the opportunity to socialize and celebrate. Today, barn dancing can also…

The cariñosa is a much-loved folk dance in the Philippines. Spanish in origin, it is regarded as a national dance by scholars, and the characteristic shy behavior of the female dancer is said to…

Mariachi performers are instantly recognizable all over the world due to their distinctive clothing, typically consisting of a silver-studded suit and wide-brimmed hat. While Mariachi performers were…

Neoclassical dance is a 20th century dance form inspired by the movements and aesthetics of classical ballet. Always performed by classically-trained dancers, neoclassical dance from its inception…

The moment a dance technique is perfected, someone is bound to vary it somehow. Fusion dance is by nature a mix of classical and modern styles as well as eclectic regional styles. The tenants of…

Dances in the Philippines are a melting pot of indigenous, Asian, American, Latin and European styles. The cariñosa is a popular folk dance that was introduced to the country by the Spaniards…

The islands in the Caribbean are well known as vacation destinations due to their unique blend of cultures and the natural beauty of their tropical location. The residents of these islands are known…

Since the 16th century, European dance represented a dichotomy between classes and between local and regional village life and foreign culture. While many countries (England, in particular) went…

Armenian dance dates back to 650 B.C. when ancestors settled the land after the fall of the Uratian Empire. Because of the powerful states surrounding it, Armenia "became a buffer state continually…

Dancing is an important part of Serbian culture. Traditional dances often take place during religious ceremonies, Christmas and Easter. Serbia's most famous folk dances are performed in a circle.

Even though many people are familiar with the Mexican Hat Dance, you will be hard-pressed to find as many people that are familiar with the Mexican Shuffle. This dance-which started out as a TV ad…

The grass dance stems back to the day when Native Americans ruled the land. According to Pow Wow's website, the pow wow dance form originated with the Ponca Hethuska Society and Omaha tribe. The dance…

Jive is one of the most popular ballroom dances in the world. It has a light, bouncing quality that makes it look easy, but jive is actually extremely challenging to dance. Despite its difficulty,…

Fan dancing is a popular form of dance that has a historical Asian background dating back hundreds of years. The dance is now popular around the world and became famous in America in the early to mid…

Irish dance in America can be traced back to immigrants who brought their festive style of dance when they left their native homeland to start new lives in America. It has been passed down for many…

Distinguished by eloquent, precise motions, Cambodian dance, having existed since approximately the first century, A.D., is a dance style infused with grace and pathos. Throughout the centuries, it…

Dance in modern musical theatre plays an important role in telling the story. In the musical "West Side Story"---a modern remake of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"---the fight scene between the rival…

Bayanihan is a Filipino term derived from the word "bayan," which means a nation, town or community. The term refers to the spirit of community and the effort undertaken by a group to achiever a…

The Kochari is an ethnic dance originating in Armenia. Bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Armenians are Middle Easterners with a long history and Christian culture. Armenians used to be…

Athletic, exciting and powerful describe the energy and movement of modern jazz dance. Usually performed to upbeat, lively music, you can see examples of this dance style in everything from old movie…

The Stroll was a popular line dance that originated in the 1950s American youth culture. Popularized on the hit show "American Bandstand," the dance quickly swept across the country and inspired pop…

Rumba, the mother of the Salsa, the Cha-Cha-Cha and other Latino-Caribbean dances, is African in form and culture. From rustic island dances around a fire to Hollywood dance numbers, the Rumba has…

The Chinese ribbon dance is a performance that features dancers whirling long strips of silk through he air. The silk ribbons are attached to short, varnished sticks, and as the dancer manipulates the…

"Ring Around the Rosy" is a popular nursery rhyme sung and danced by little children. The exact origins of the rhyme are unclear, as people have passed it down by word of mouth over centuries.

The camel walk is a social dance that has roots in the vaudeville shows of the late 19th century and early 20th century in the United States. The dance is also referred to as the "ragtime animal…

Located at the far western edge of continental Europe, Portugal ascended to elite authority from the 15th to the17th centuries, largely because of its advantageous position for trade and navy. That…

Derived from the term gigg or giga--a short piece of music--the jig was a lively, joyous dance performed at Irish celebrations among a large group of people, according to the website StreetSwing.…

High Life music had other names decades before the term emerged in the 1920s. Indigenous to Ghana, Africa and rapidly spreading to Sierra Leone and western Nigeria, High Life blends the influence of…

Binasuan, a dance originating in the Philippines, primarily involves three drinking glasses that a Binasuan dancer (usually a woman) gracefully balances--on her head and in the palms of both her…

"El Bimbo," like the tango, refers to both a dance and a song. As the song and the dance have evolved through the last few decades, the nature of them has remained intact as a tune for lovers and as a…

"The Dance of the Reed Flutes" is one of the eight original pieces in Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 1892 "Nutcracker Suite." The famous song is also referred to as the "Dance of the Mirlitons" or…

Walk down any city street on a late weekend evening, be it in New York, San Francisco, London or Paris, and you are sure to feel the contagious rhythm of dance music. Dance music actually has a long…

Contemporary dance is aesthetic, natural and socially free. Progress from the ruling aristocrat's dance and folk dances to expressive lively arts began with ballet's fine aesthetic.

Rigodon is a French dance from the Baroque style period between 1600 and 1750. Rigaudon and rigadoon are common alternative spellings for the dance named after a dance master from Marseille named…

"Misirlou" is one of the Mediterranean world's most popular songs, with a colorful performance history that dates back to the 1920s. Both its musical arrangement and the dances that have accompanied…

In the 18th and 19th centuries, dance was a form of non-verbal communication that was otherwise hindered by lacking technology, such as telephones. Simple dance moves and gestures allow dance partners…

Before you can understand the history of Pop dance, you need to understand what pop music is. The term "Pop" comes from the word "popular" and refers to the fact that it is delivered to the masses on…

There have been numerous types of folk dances that have come out of the Philippines. Many of them require expertise (in that a dancer should have great stability and a sense of rhythm), while others…

Modern Cuban dance styles emerged when European settlers and African slaves came to Cuba in the 16th century. African and Europeans fused traditional dances to form a distinct and unified Cuban…

The history of club dancing goes back to the mid to late 1970s, and has continued to evolve ever since. From Ibiza to Paris, from San Francisco to New York, dance has been a part of the club scene. As…

Boogie dance, or boogie-woogie, is a form of swing dancing. It is called boogie-woogie in Europe, but this dance is more commonly known as East Coast swing in the United States. It's most often seen…

Historically, the dance Pantsula was entertaining and was famous several decades ago in townships of South Africa, but it was more than just another dance. It was a spontaneous expression of the lives…

Born in Cuba with traces of Haitian culture and influenced by American jazz, the mambo became a Latin ballroom dance craze that swept the globe and became exceedingly popular in Latin countries as…

The fiddle-heavy song "Cotton Eyed Joe" and its accompanying dance have roots in American culture and history. The current versions of the song are culminations of the many forms that have circulated…

Some dances come and go just like the Waltz and the Minuet. No one seems to be doing the Jive or the Shag, because those are outdated dances of the past. There is one dance that has surpassed the…

The islands in the Caribbean are responsible for producing such dances as reggae, meringue, salsa, compass, zouk, soca and Calypso. The music is fast, explosive and lively, according to…

Jazz dance started out as something totally different from what we see today. Its roots lie in tap dancing and moving to the rhythms of jazz music, music with an African influence. Though the period…

Creative expression crosses cultural and societal boundaries the world over. From Greek theater and Roman forums to Elizabethan Drama, the desire to creatively tell a story to a group of people is as…

Mum is the word when you are giving a dramatic performance, using only facial expressions, gestures and movement to speak to an audience. You might have seen these characters on street corners, their…

The bomba is a rousing dance with "invigorating rhythms and contagious thrill," according to the Washington Post. It is still danced today across the world. The history of the dance is influenced by…

Break dancing is a popular street dance brought to the mainstream through urban neighborhoods known for its acrobatic movements, freestyle sequences, and gymnastic nature. Modern break dancing, also…

The Tango, a Latin ballroom dance infamous for its close-hold stance and seductive and sensual nature, bears no clear records of its beginning. Most concur that it was begun by the poor, immigrant…

Known as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business," James Brown's flying feet, dramatic choreography and raspy voice catapulted him to the top of the R&B charts over and…

The samba is a rhythmic, rolling dance that Brazilians have made popular around the world. The dance's origins began with African slaves, and it was later combined with Brazilian Indian and European…

Endurance contests and record-setting came into vogue in the United States in the so-called Jazz Age of the 1920s. Competitors sat on flagpoles to earn small cash prizes, and pilot Charles Lindbergh…

Liturgical dance, sometimes called praise or worship dance, has been an art form since the early days of Jewish history. It has moved in and out of favor over the years, and was even prohibited for…

The advent of rock and roll in the 1950s changed the way young people danced at social events. Non-contact dance steps took the place of traditional paired styles. Of the hundreds of fad dance steps…

What at first appeared simply as a stunt--dancing on one's toes--has become a beautiful and grace-filled artistic display, encompassing not only the world of ballet but reaching vaudeville, burlesque…

Dance hall is a type of music that originated in Jamaica in the island's dancehall clubs. It took old musical beats and reworked them with new vocals, creating a popular musical genre.

The limbo is a dance in which participants have to cross under a stick by bending backward at the waist. The stick is lowered a notch each time every one passes under it, and those who touch the…

Middle Eastern dance, as an ancient art form, has evolved from a dance done to prepare for the pain of childbirth to a form of entertainment. In its earliest form, this dance was passed on to young…

The minuet was a popular dance among aristocratic society in 17th century France. It was a slow dance for couples, known for its distinctive pose-like gestures.

Highland dance is the legendary dance of Scottish warriors and has a long and well-recorded history. According to Highlandnet.com, most of the true Highland dances come from ancient Scottish folk…

The jitterbug dance is composed of energetic, acrobatic and improvisational movements performed with a partner, solo or in a line. Under the umbrella of swing dance, its freedom of movement influenced…

According to Constance Valis Hill, a dance professor and author of "Tap Dance in America: A Very Short History," tap dance is America's oldest indigenous dance form. It began centuries ago in Africa…

The Hokey Pokey is a popular song and dance often performed by children. There is mystery surrounding the origins of the song, however it is likely to be popular for years to come.

The Cancan is a choreographed dance that became popular entertainment when it was introduced in the late 19th century at the Moulin Rouge, a night club in Paris. In addition to making the Moulin Rouge…

Break dancing exploded onto the scene in the Bronx. It shaped the culture, and it also provided a visual for the emerging hip-hop culture.

Traditional dance, also called folk dance, dates back before history was officially documented. Various forms of folk are still practiced all throughout the world. Folk dance is also the early…

Graceful dancing on the tips of the toes epitomizes the art of ballet. Dancing en pointe requires years of training, and special shoes that have developed over centuries.

It is nearly impossible to say when dancing became a part of human culture. Dance has been part of all cultures since humans have existed, playing an important part in religious rituals, celebrations…

The tambourine is a percussion instrument that comes in various sizes and forms. It originated in the Eastern hemisphere thousands of years ago, but found its way westward to The Americas and become a…

Burmese dance combines folk and classic steps to tell a story. Learn more about the history of Burmese dance in the free video from a professional Burmese dancer.

During colonization, many Filipino tribes developed dances to preserve their cultural traditions. Learn more about the history of Filipino dancing in this free dance lesson video from an award-winning…

Odissi traditional dance steps differ from the 1950s style. Learn more about modern Odissi dance history from a professional Indian dancer in this free dance lesson video.

The Odissi is an Indian dance style that originated in 300 B.C. Learn more about the origins of the Odissi dance from a professional Indian dancer in this free dance lesson video.

An overview of dancing in colonial times.

The Karankawa are a group of Native American peoples, comprised of several tribes, and have been extinct as a tribal group since 1860. The Karankawa are also known as Karankawan, Clamcoëhs, and…

Learn the history of the Melbourne Shuffle in this free dance lesson video.

Learn about the history of tap dancing in this free video lesson for beginning tap dance.

Kathak dance is the national dance of Pakistan and remains popular in South Asia. Learn more about the history of Kathak dance with expert tips in this free dance lesson video.

Learn the history of tap dancing with expert tap dancing instruction from a professional dancer in this free online advanced dance lesson and choreography video clip.

Learn about the history of tap dance with expert tap dancing instruction from a professional dancer in this free online dance lesson and choreography video clip.

Learn about the history Merengue dancing in this free dance lesson video.

Manipuri dance is a major Indian classic form of dancing. Learn more about the history of Manipuri dancing in this free dance lesson video.

Oberek dancing is one of the five national Polish dances. Learn more about the history of oberek dances in this free dance lesson video.

Learn about the history of merengue dancing with expert Caribbean merengue dancing instruction from a professional dancer in this free online dance lesson and choreography video clip.

Tap dance is considered "America's second pastime" for good reason. For more than a century Americans in all regions of the country have pursued and perfected the original style of dance. Today, the…