Assignment #6 Dance

The baroque period of dance:


The baroque period of dance was from 1600-1750.  The baroque dance was performed by the upper European classes as a social event, ballroom dancing, and was performed theatrically, ballet dance.  This period of dance derives from classical music mixed with dynamic movement.  This period did not last very long and to this day it is being reconstructed in Broadway shows, plays, and operas.   The roman catholic church was mainly responsible for the encouragement of the baroque style because they thought that the arts should promote religious themes through movement.  

Why people dance?


People dance for different reasons.  Some people dance to express themselves, others dances to have fun.  Dancing makes someone become loose, and they use it as a form of exercise.  Like Zumba, an exercise dance routine, many people use this method as a way to get their weekly fitness in.  People also dance at big events/celebrations like weddings and parties.  At weddings it is a tradition for the bride and groom to share a dance before everyone else starts dancing and it is symbolizes their love for each other.  There are also many different forms of dance and some people dance because it is a part of their ethnicity or religion.  I am Irish, and I used to Irish dance up until I was a sophomore in high school.  The types of dances vary throughout the different cultures.  People can dance whenever they feel like, it is a way to let their intellectual side out and a way to just have fun.

Non western dance art form: The Cha Cha


The cha cha is a type of ballroom dance that derives from Latin America and was laid down by Pierre and Lavelle and then became developed later on by Walter Laird.  The cha cha that is danced in the ballroom uses energetic music with a steady beat. The authentic style cha cha is danced to cuban music or latin rock. The basic foot step count in one's head is "one, two, cha, cha, cha" "three, four, cha, cha, cha".  Along with the footwork, the dancers have to include the swaying of the hips to make the dance more exciting, and it also makes it fun too.  The cha cha is a basic dance that is taught to many beginner ballroom dancers.