DANCE History and Styles
Jan 13, 2016
DANCE
History and Styles
HISTORY
Pre-Renaissance: dance for spiritual ceremonies/rituals
1400’s: Renaissance Ballet and Ballroom
1500’s: Classical Ballet 1600’s: Court Ballet 1700’s: Reform Ballet 1800’s: Romantic Ballet; International Ballroom 1900’s: Modern Ballet, jazz, contemporary,
modern
1400’s- Ballet
Ballet is one of the oldest established types of dance
Characterized by orderly, symmetrical movement
Originated in the courts of Italy during the Renaissance, but has its roots in the dancing of the Middle Ages religious themes, folk dancing, open-air dancing, and mock
battles
Domenico da Piacenza, history’s first choreographer
1500’s- Classical Ballet
Classical ballet- the storyline is the focus
Moved from Italy to France
At first, the French merely mimic the Italian style until Balthasar blends Italian and French ideals and approaches into one performance
1600’s- Court Ballets
Popular in France
Only in courts for aristocracy
Very extravagant
Louis XIV establishes Royal Academy of Dance “Professional” dancers appear Women in the field
1700’s- Reform Ballets
“Ballerina” becomes scandalous
Rapid spread across Europe
Other art forms incorporated (ex. Mime)
New costumes and techniques appears
1800’s- Romantic Ballets
Satin slipper introduced
“Pointe” ballet dancing
Dramatic gesture, more expression, extreme plots
Jean-Francois Coulon- father of romantic ballet
1900’s- Modern Ballet
Russia is center for ballet
1885- famous “tutu” introduced
Modern ballet developing worldwide England- classical style United States- contemporary (Isadora Duncan, Martha
Graham) Russia- political tools
Tchaikovsky’s ballets: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker
1400’s/1900’s- Ballroom
Set of partner dances for social or competitive purposes Traditional- First appeared in courts during Renaissance International- Developed internationally as cultures
mingled
Smooth/Standard Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
Rhythm/Latin Cha cha, rumba, swing, jive, merengue, samba,
bolero, mambo, salsa
FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS
Iconic dance partners of the 30’s
Made 10 movies together
Blended ballroom, tap dancing, singing, and acting
1900’s- Jazz
Mixture of European and African dance styles
Two phases: 1) 1920’s- mirrored jazz music of the time (ex.
Charleston) 2) 1960’s- jazz music became complicated; blended
with ballet and modern dance
Jack Cole- father of jazz. Other names: Gus Giordano and Bob Fosse
GUS GIORDANO
Founded the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Company in Chicago
Organized the first Jazz Dance World Congress
Authored the first book on jazz
His company toured Russia in1955
BOB FOSSE
Couldn’t conform to the rigidity of ballet
Used characteristics props—bowler hats, canes, chairs
Had a successful career on Broadway as both a performer and a director
1900’s- Modern/Contemporary
Anti-ballet
Emotional and personal rather than structured and formal
Three generations: 1920’s- born out of interpretive dance 1940’s- post WWII; more theatrical 1960’s- social upheaval; more sophisticated
Focuses more on conveying emotions than technique, and the movements are more loose and flowing
Still organized but adds variations and personal stylizations on the dance movements
ISADORA DUNCAN
Founder of modern dance
Dance style characterized by free movements
Free-flowing costumes, bare feet, and loose hair
MARTHA GRAHAM
Became a teacher at the Eastman School of music and theater in 1925
Developed dramatic situations or characters to express a feeling
Founded the Martha Graham Dance Repertory Theater in 1930
MIA MICHAELS
Leading contemporary choreographer
So You Think You Can Dance star
Grammy award winner
Late 1900’s- Hip Hop
1970’s- DJ’s in New York isolate rhythms for dance
Transmitted among people, not formal classes
Influenced by disco and break dance block parties
Hip hop is characterized with the almost unlimited ability to freestyle and to add personality to dance moves
MICHAEL JACKSON
Joined the family band at the age of five
Amazing dancing/stage presence
Music videos helped him break the color barrier in media at the time
Became the most popular performer in America by 1983
LAURIE ANN GIBSON
One of the major hip hop choreographers
Choreographs for current movies
Worked with stars like Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga
TABITHA AND NAPOLEAN
Husband and wife choreographers
SYTYCD and ABDC stars
Grammy award winners
Innovative hip-hop (lyrical)