Dance Traditions in America

-Music generally serves as the springboard for dance, giving it much of its expressive power. Rhythm provides an important part of this energy, inviting humans everywhere to move. -In America, dance is both a popular social diversion and a creative athletic art form. -Historically, Native Americans developed a rich tradition of dance. Dances served ceremonial, and spiritual purposes. Choctaw Indian Dances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onwnuVEoxcc Map of Trail of Tears

-Ireland has influences many American dances. European Influences -Ireland has influences many American dances. -early Irish settlers brought with them colorful songs that became part of American folk music. -Native Irish dances, especially jigs and reels, became popular in both social and theatrical settings. -Jig – most associated with Ireland, use 6/8 meter with a triple feeling. The name ‘jig’ refers to the dancers vigorous up-and-down body movements. -Reel – means “weaving motion”, danced to quick music in 2/4 (duple meter). Reels are dances for 2 to 16 dancers. This type of dance was one of the forerunners to American square dancing. Jig Dancing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDIZ6lsCKtg Reel Dancing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e58jAqXq8PY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1dN7zhznkI

Ceili and Step Dances -Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) dances includes mainly reels and jigs danced at a ceili, or a traditional Irish and Scottish social dance. -Solo dances called step dances are also an important part of this step tradition -concentrate on close to the ground step work in which the dancer beats out rhythmical accompaniments to a reel or jig. -This virtuosic dance became very popular in minstrel and vaudeville shows and was often referred to as clog dancing or clogging. Riverdance is a popular traveling group that combines traditional step dancing with new music and contemporary costumes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgGAzBDE454

Conjunto Dances -One of the traditions of the American Southwest is conjunto (pronounced con-hoon-toe), which is a dance created by Mexicans in Texas. -Influenced by their new European neighbors (Germans, Czech, and Polish people who immigrated to Texas), tejano (pronounced teh-hah-noh), or Texas-American, musicians created dance music based on the steady duple polka rhythm. -Sometimes called “Tex-Mex” music, it evolved from the unique European/Texas-Mexican cultural mix. -Traditional conjunto music features the button accordian, the 12 string Mexican guitar called the bajo sexto, the electric bass guitar, and a drum set. Spanish lyrics are often sung in the typical Mexican style of close harmony in parallel thirds. Start video at 3:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP1WSgyzWtA

Hula -When the entertainment industry started to boom in Hawaii in the 1930’s, tourists and Hollywood film audiences started to become attracted to the hula dance. -Movie audiences also became attracted to the ukulele, a four-stringed guitar-like instrument. -Films presented hula as superficial and frivolous entertainment, but today it’s respected for its artistic beauty and role in providing important links to Hawaii’s colorful past. An example of Old Hollywood Hula featuring Eleanor Powell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks2fHGt68TI

-The term hula literally refers to movements and gestures. -The traditional concept of hula kahiko (ancient hula) was developed thousands of years ago by Hawaii’s original Polynesian settlers. -It is the expression of mele, or poetry, in physical form. -Traditionally, body movements and gestures, whether performed in a standing or seated position, were the means by which indigenous Hawaiians interpreted mele. -This poetry told life stories, recounted family histories, and narrated history from generation to generation. Video about the Hawaiian language and its use in hula https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upK-xODTd50