Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ballroom Dances
Ballroom dance is also known as social dance because it encourages social interaction between dance partners.
Ballroom can be divided by 2 category that is Standard division and Latin division:-
Standard -- Waltz , Tango , Viennese Waltz , Foxtrot , Quickstep
Latin -- Cha Cha , Samba , Rumba , Paso Doble , Jive
Waltz 
The American Style Waltz involves breaking contact almost entirely in some figures. For example, the Syncopated Side-by-Side with Spin includes a free spin for both partners. Open rolls are another good example of an open dance figure, in which the secondary partner alternates between the primary partner's left and right sides, with the primary partner's left or right arm (alone) providing the lead.
In contemporary ballroom dance, the fast versions of the waltz are called Viennese Waltz.
Country Western Waltz is 99% progressive, moving counter clock wise around the dance floor. Both the posture and frame are relaxed, with posture bordering on a slouch. The exaggerated hand and arm gestures of some ballroom styles are not part of this style. Couples may frequently dance in the promenade position, depending on local preferences.
Cha Cha
There are three flavors of Cha-cha-cha dance, differing by the place of the chachacha chasse with respect to the musical bar. Ballroom Cha-cha and street Cha-cha-cha in Cuba count "two-three-chachacha". Country/western Cha-cha-cha and Latin street Cha-cha-cha in many places other than Cuba count "one-two-chachacha" or "chachacha-three-four".
In general Cha cha steps should be kept compact and the dance is danced generally without any rise and fall. 
Cha Cha is either danced to authentic Latin music, or more contemporary Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The music for the ballroom Cha-cha-cha is energetic and with a steady beat. The "Latin" cha-cha-cha is slower, more sensual and may involve complicated rhythms. "Cowboy" Cha-Cha-Cha is danced basically to any "four to the floor" music; in addition there are a number of C/W novelty dances with the names that include "cha-cha-cha".
Samba 
There are many versions of the Samba - Mesemba, Carioca, a Baion, a Batucado, Conga, Carnivale and so on. Each is similar with the difference mostly in the tempo played and variation in the technique. The variety of Samba taught in North American and European ballrooms tends to be waltz like - smoothly moving around the floor with a steady bounce.
Basic steps of samba- The Lady facing the man, will perform steps complimenting his. So if the man moves his left foot forward, the lady will move her right foot back and visa versa. This is very sensible. Otherwise, the man would probably tread on her!
There are many versions of the Samba - Mesemba, Carioca, a Baion, a Batucado, Conga, Carnivale and so on. Each is similar with the difference mostly in the tempo played and variation in the technique. The variety of Samba taught in North American and European ballrooms tends to be waltz like - smoothly moving around the floor with a steady bounce.
Basic steps of samba- The Lady facing the man, will perform steps complimenting his. So if the man moves his left foot forward, the lady will move her right foot back and visa versa. This is very sensible. Otherwise, the man would probably tread on her!
Rumba
The distinctive hip movement of Rumba, called the Cuban Motion, is one of the most important elements of this dance. Introduced in the Rumba, it is an important styling element in a number of popular Latin American Dances.
Rumba music is usually written in 4/4 time and may be played over a wide variety of tempos. Often in rumba music there may be an underlying pulsation of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4. The basic Rumba dance steps are counted Slow, Quick, Quick (SQQ)
The distinctive hip movement of Rumba, called the Cuban Motion, is one of the most important elements of this dance. Introduced in the Rumba, it is an important styling element in a number of popular Latin American Dances.
Rumba music is usually written in 4/4 time and may be played over a wide variety of tempos. Often in rumba music there may be an underlying pulsation of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4. The basic Rumba dance steps are counted Slow, Quick, Quick (SQQ)
Jive 
The Jive Dance was first popular in the 1940's. The Jive was originally the European's (U.K.) version of the American Jitterbug and/ or East Coast Swing
The dance is taught with no footwork, just a walking of the patterns which can be many. The names of modern Jive usually come from the club or association that taught the version being done and usually leads into a more structured form of swing dance as time goes on.
The Jive Dance was first popular in the 1940's. The Jive was originally the European's (U.K.) version of the American Jitterbug and/ or East Coast Swing
The dance is taught with no footwork, just a walking of the patterns which can be many. The names of modern Jive usually come from the club or association that taught the version being done and usually leads into a more structured form of swing dance as time goes on.
Salsa
The word Salsa today is used to describe the music and the dance, a modern term for Latin if you will. However the dance known as Salsa is really just a slowed down MUTATED Mambo. As Tito Puente has said, "Salsa is what you eat". Mambo is again gaining much popularity today (2002) with a little more pop or disco beat, not to mention the likes of Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Lou Bega, etc. helping it along.
Paso Doble
Paso Doble originates from Spain. It developed on the basis of movements performed by the matadors during the bull fights.
In Paso Doble the man (matador) is in focus more than in any other dance. The lady is left with playing a role of a cape ("cappa") the red canvas of the toreador or a bull, depending on circumstances.
The dance came into fashion around 1920.
It is probably the last dance you will learn if you take up Latin American dance classes. That's because it is based around previously agreed choreography (arranged precisely to the music) and it is far more difficult to lead and improvise it.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Iranian dance
Persian Style and Movements 
Persian dance was delicate, intricate, subtle, and full of meaning. Delicate hand movements, gentle upper body undulations, and facial expressions were the essential elements of this dance.
Persian classical dance is very similar to the Tehrani-style recreational dance, but the execution is more refined and sophisticated, so as to be suitable for presentation to an audience. The movements of Persian classical dance mostly involve the upper body. Professional dancers may also dance with tea glasses or finger cymbals to mark the rhythm.
The movements require extreme flexibility and grace of the upper body and varied facial expressions, including moving both eyebrows independently. Indeed, Persian classical dance emphasizes feeling, rather than movement. The dancer teases the audience with her coquettish glances, and displays a variety of expressions: reluctance, joy, sensuality, pride, laughter. Of course, the arms move, and turns and small hip movements are part of the style.
Unlike Indian classical dance or western classical ballet, Persian classical dance has not been organized and codified. Thus each dancer creates her own style and improvises within a recognizably Persian framework of movements. An innovative dancer is able to extend the vocabulary of movements in many directions, while retaining the essential Persian feeling.Because of the emphasis on expression, Persian classical dance is best suited to intimate settings, rather than large concert halls. It was created and grew up in the courts of the princely classes and in private homes, and flourished in the tea houses. None of these venues could compare in size with the concert halls of today.
Persian dance was delicate, intricate, subtle, and full of meaning. Delicate hand movements, gentle upper body undulations, and facial expressions were the essential elements of this dance.
Persian classical dance is very similar to the Tehrani-style recreational dance, but the execution is more refined and sophisticated, so as to be suitable for presentation to an audience. The movements of Persian classical dance mostly involve the upper body. Professional dancers may also dance with tea glasses or finger cymbals to mark the rhythm.
The movements require extreme flexibility and grace of the upper body and varied facial expressions, including moving both eyebrows independently. Indeed, Persian classical dance emphasizes feeling, rather than movement. The dancer teases the audience with her coquettish glances, and displays a variety of expressions: reluctance, joy, sensuality, pride, laughter. Of course, the arms move, and turns and small hip movements are part of the style.
Unlike Indian classical dance or western classical ballet, Persian classical dance has not been organized and codified. Thus each dancer creates her own style and improvises within a recognizably Persian framework of movements. An innovative dancer is able to extend the vocabulary of movements in many directions, while retaining the essential Persian feeling.Because of the emphasis on expression, Persian classical dance is best suited to intimate settings, rather than large concert halls. It was created and grew up in the courts of the princely classes and in private homes, and flourished in the tea houses. None of these venues could compare in size with the concert halls of today.
Persian Dance History
The history of modern Persian classical dance was sown during the Qajar dynasty (1780-1906). Fath Ali Shah (1798-1834) in particular devoted a great deal of the royal treasury to all forms of art, including dance.
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