Styles of Dance
Ballet
A classical Western dance form that originated in the Renaissance courts of Europe. By the times of Louis the XIV (mid- 1600’s), steps and body positions underwent codifications.
Black Bottom
A dance craze from 1926 employing strong African and Caribbean-style hip movements
Dance
Movement selected and organized for aesthetic purposes or as a medium of expression rather than for its function as work or play.
Folk/Traditional
Dance associated with a nationalistic purpose, usually performed today as a surviving portion of a traditional celebration and done for social gatherings or as recreation.
Genre
A particular kind of style of dance, such as ballet, jazz, modern, folk, and tap.
Jazz Dance
Dance marked by movement isolations and complex propulsive polyrhythms. It is an outgrowth of African-American ragtime, jazz, spirituals, blues work songs, and so forth and is considered and] American dance style.
Modern Dance
A type of dance that began as a rebellion against steps, positions, and values expressive and original or authentic movement. It is a twentieth-century idiom.
Postmodern Dance
A type of dance introduced by Merce Cunningham that emerged in the 1960’s and is generally characterized by a departure from narrative theme and evocative emotion.
Social Dance
Dance done in a social setting. It is traditionally referred to as ballroom dance, but includes all popular social dances performed with or without partners.
Tap Dance
A type of dance that concentrates on footwork and rhythm. This type of dance grew out of American popular dancing, with significant roots in African American, Irish, and English clogging traditions.