Not only has actual dance changed over the years, but so has the music that goes along with it. Dance music consists of beats that dancers count to and can keep rhythm while dancing. Different music has been used from a long time ago, up until present day dancing. Dancing changes because music constantly changes, as well. As new music comes out, new dance ideas come to life. For some people, dance is their entire life. Back in the day, warriors used dance in preparation for battle. There were certain periods in time which certain dance styles peaked and were the most popular during that time. Dance continues to change and I believe it will never stop. People are too passionate about dance and love it too much to discontinue dance as a part of their life.

In 10 years, how much do you think dance will have changed?

Hahn, J. (2009, November 30). Dancing through history. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Dancing-Through-History&id=3353085

       What is dance? Dance is a form of art that involves movement of your body with different music and different rhythms. Dance is a huge part of all cultures. "Dance may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal communication between humans.." The actual type of dancing depends on the area and culture. A choreographer is a person who creates the movements and creates the dance. In dance, especially competitive dancing, there are large groups, small groups, trios (3 people), duets (two people), and solos (one person). Dance has evolved over time because it has became more popular world wide. It is now on television, often. There are competitive dance shows and reality dance shows now on television. This gets people more involved in dance which helps it become even more popular. People just used to dance more for themselves and dance with the people in their cultures but it quickly grew into much more.

Why do people find dance to be so intriguing and entertaining?

   This is a video from "So You Think You Can Dance," called "Time" danced by Lacey and Neil. This exemplifies the more modern type of contemporary dancing. This style of dance has changed and morphed into new kinds of contemporary a lot over the years. It has been influenced so much by the people in the dance world. When new choreographers come around they teach new styles and that's why dance is constantly being changed all the time.

Will dance ever stop changing and evolving?

   Dance has evolved a lot over the years. Dance was a mode of communication and expression and changed as societies and cultures changed. As people became more interactive with each other and other people, dance began to change and adapt to certain societies. Also, famous stars play a huge role in how dance has changed. One of the most popular people known for his dancing is Michael Jackson. He created many new dance moves throughout his career and life. With those new moves and ideas, people share them and create new dance steps to go along with it. Dancing is constantly changing and being effected everyday. 


Do you think that dance is celebrated and encouraged more now, or it was more celebrated and encouraged years and years ago?


Oconnell, P. (n.d.). Discuss how dance as an art form has evolved and changed over the years.. Retrieved from http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Discuss.dance.art.96802

Wiki

      My topic about dance has helped me learn a lot more about a very important topic to me. I learned that there was no definite time when dance began but that the history dates back a very long time ago. Dance has been around since the beginning of time and will continue to to be around forever. It has changed dramatically from when it first began and is very different than it used to be. Doing this project helped me realize that there is so much more to learn about dance and the history of it.

https://sites.google.com/site/dancingthroughyears/

Project Thus Far

   Thus far, I have really enjoyed finding research about dance and the actual history of it. Although I dance almost everyday and have been dancing my entire life,  I have never actually searched deeply for information about dance or how each style came to be. This project has helped me to better learn about my passion and it was a topic that I could really relate to.

     This is a video from the show called "So You Think You Can Dance." The two dancers are Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz. This is just one of thousands of dances performed each season. This is a dance show that showcases some of the best dancers in the world in a competition to find the best dancer overall. This is a great television show that shows many different dancing styles, some that people may not be familiar with or have ever heard of before. I think this show is not only for entertainment purposes, but it can also be to educate people about what dance really is and to inspire others who are interested in dancing. Some styles appeal more than other do. It just depends on what you are interested in. This particular video is a contemporary piece. Contemporary is a style that feeds off of ballet. Contemporary is a less strict version of ballet that allows you to move your body and a more free way and to flow your body more. Contemporary dances usually have a personal story and a meaning behind it. The meaningful story usually relates to the choreographer and that makes it easy for them to actually make up the dance.


Why do some styles of dance grab people's attention more than other styles?




perf. "Travis and Heidi-Calling You (Contemporary)."YouTube. N.p., 28 Mar 2011. web. 18 Mar 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38XIFZLlIiM>("YouTube")

Modern Dancing

Born in the early 20th century, modern dance is a dance style that centers on a dancer's own interpretations instead of structured steps, as in traditional ballet dancing. Modern dancers reject the limitations of classical ballet and favor movements derived from the expression of their inner feelings. During the 1900's, European dancers began rebelling against the rigid rules of classical ballet. Turning against the structured techniques, costumes and shoes of ballet, these dancers favaored a more relaxed, free style of dancing. Modern dance pioneers often danced in bare feet and revealing costumes. In the United States, several dance pioneers paved the way for American modern dance, including the legendary Martha Graham.

Characteristics of Modern Dance:

Modern dance encourages dancers to use their emotions and moods to design their own steps and routines. It is not unusual for modern dancers to invent new steps for their routines, instead of following a structured code of technique, as in ballet.

Another characteristic of modern dance in opposition to ballet is the deliberate use of gravity. Whereas classical ballet dancers strive to be light and airy on their feet, modern dancers often use their body weight to enhance movement. A modern dancer rejects the classical ballet stance of an upright, erect body, often opting instead for deliberate falls to the floor.

http://dance.about.com/od/solodancestyles/p/Modern_Dance.htm

      Modern is a style of dancing that is very strange and different from the other types of dancing. Some teach modern dancing as sharp, strong movements, and some teach it as soft and fluid movements. Martha Graham is a legendary women in the dance world and is one of the most  well known modern dancers. She created a style of modern dancing and has her own dance company called the Martha Graham Dance Company, which she started in 1929. Even though she passed away in 1991, she is still remembered and thought about all the time. She had such a strong passion for dancing and never let go of her dream. "Dance is the hidden language of the soul", said Martha Graham.

      Why is't modern as popular as is was 50 years ago?

80 years ago this month

"The dance began, a primitive expression of fundamental emotion. Legs and arms flexed into angular patterns, her movements started and stopped in abrupt rhythm, her body strained ecstatically, her eyes stared fixedly upon. Remote and unseen objects, and her body, wildly summoned into dynamic action, became an integral part of the dance picture. A dance like this was never seen in Europe.

... She thrills the mind, not the physical senses. Her vigorous, vital movements have completely brushed aside the trivialities and trifles of the dance; she gives us breadth, sweep, elementals, essentials, freedom. Her dynamic force is exhilarating in its intensity and power."

On Mary Wigman from the January 1932 issue of The American Dancer (one of two magazines that later merged to become Dance Magazine).

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/?tag=content;col1 

       Dance began as just an experiment of movements and grew into much more. Dancing is using your body in different ways to express emotions through your movements to music. Dancing today has grown into so much more than it used to be. Now, there are so many types of dancing. Some of which include ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and contemporary. I think that dance is  very enjoyable for people to watch other people dance. That is why we now have live shows and television shows about dancing. Dancing is also based on certain cultures. Different areas of the world have their own style of dancing that they do.

Why is it that certain cultures and parts of the world are more passionate about dancing and love it more than others?

Essential Question

    I chose dance as my topic because I have been dancing ever since I was 2 years old and it's something I truly love to do. I have made so many life long friends from dance. It is a part of me and I can't imagine my life without it. If I didn't have dance I don't know what I would do. 


    How have all the different dancing styles changed over the years?