Jane Hudson: 5 Charming Dances from All over the World
Freelance writer and college English professor, Jane Hudson, provides Metro Jacksonville's readers with a list of five dances all over the world that have grown in popularity over the years.
Dancing is a popular pastime in many nations of the world. Many countries are all about dance and will gladly exhibit their favorite dances to tourists as well as the locals. Here are five charming dances from all over the world that have grown in popularity over the years.
1. The Flamenco
The beautiful Flamenco goes back to the 18th century in Spain. Known for its dancers with brightly colored, full-skirted dresses, the Flamenco is a perfect dance to perform. When I was a Spanish teacher, I arranged for our Spanish Club to visit the local arts center to see authentic Flamenco dancers from around the world. The boisterous dance, with often just guitar playing along, fills the stage with the twirling of the dancers . . . and their skirts! The Flamenco is passionate yet as graceful as the flamingo, which some argue is where the dance got its name.
Image Source: Flavio-, (CC BY 2.0), via flickr
2. Ballet
Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a ballerina. Ballet is charming, graceful, and extremely romantic. Dating back to 15th century Italy, the ballet was popular in the court, with elaborate, heavily-costumed performances. That style is quite different from the style we have come to know with the less cumbersome dance outfits, the softer styles of dress and ballet slippers. Today’s ballerina has become almost an ethereal angel, one who twirls in a foamy white skirt, round and round on her toes. Going to the ballet is a delightful luxury for many ballet fans in modern times.
Image Source: NWSpec5, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
3. Ballroom
Traditionally reserved for the wealthy, ballroom dancing came to be popular in the 19th century in England. Ballroom dancing, considered a traditional dance, involves dancing only between two people, a man and a woman. This type of dancing was initially an activity of the upper class; they even had competitions involving it. Its classic moves involve set steps, many of which are quite intricate. The tango and waltz are some of my favorite dances included in this genre. The waltz is classy, while the tango is passionate. The foxtrot and quickstep are two other dances that fall under the umbrella of ballroom.
The Viennese Waltz. Image Source: flickr-rickr, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
4. Belly Dancing
Although belly dancing is typically considered of Asian origin, many say that it is one of the oldest forms of dance, with its roots going back to ancient Egypt. Wherever it came from, it is growing in popularity. This dance focuses on sensual movements of the hips, and, of course, the belly. Women wear colorful costumes with lots of jewelry and belts with dangling coins, and they perform in groups. Belly dancing is fun and high energy, a dance often seen at celebrations.
Image Source: Chris_Parfitt, (CC BY 2.0), via flickr
5. Hip Hop
Hip Hop became popular in the United States in more recent history, namely the 1970s. This dance involves fluid movements of the body, many involved with the lower torso, as it moves near the ground. Michael Jackson was a tremendous dancer, and many of his moves incorporated hip hop movements, as well as break dancing. This type of dance is also known as street dancing, and it definitely has a charm all its own.
Image Source: Casa Fora de Eixo Minas, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
Tap and modern dance styles certainly have their own place, and there are other cultural dances such as Irish and Indian that are all about dance and delightful to see, as well. It’s hard to limit myself to just five famous types of dance, but these all have one thing in common: charm. They are just different and incredibly appealing. If you ever get a chance to travel to these great countries, pick up travel coupons such as an Olotels discount code August and head off to see these native dances for yourself.
Author Bio: Jane Hudson is a freelance writer and college English teacher. She writes on traveling, culture, education and more.
1. The Flamenco
The beautiful Flamenco goes back to the 18th century in Spain. Known for its dancers with brightly colored, full-skirted dresses, the Flamenco is a perfect dance to perform. When I was a Spanish teacher, I arranged for our Spanish Club to visit the local arts center to see authentic Flamenco dancers from around the world. The boisterous dance, with often just guitar playing along, fills the stage with the twirling of the dancers . . . and their skirts! The Flamenco is passionate yet as graceful as the flamingo, which some argue is where the dance got its name.
Image Source: Flavio-, (CC BY 2.0), via flickr
2. Ballet
Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a ballerina. Ballet is charming, graceful, and extremely romantic. Dating back to 15th century Italy, the ballet was popular in the court, with elaborate, heavily-costumed performances. That style is quite different from the style we have come to know with the less cumbersome dance outfits, the softer styles of dress and ballet slippers. Today’s ballerina has become almost an ethereal angel, one who twirls in a foamy white skirt, round and round on her toes. Going to the ballet is a delightful luxury for many ballet fans in modern times.
Image Source: NWSpec5, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
3. Ballroom
Traditionally reserved for the wealthy, ballroom dancing came to be popular in the 19th century in England. Ballroom dancing, considered a traditional dance, involves dancing only between two people, a man and a woman. This type of dancing was initially an activity of the upper class; they even had competitions involving it. Its classic moves involve set steps, many of which are quite intricate. The tango and waltz are some of my favorite dances included in this genre. The waltz is classy, while the tango is passionate. The foxtrot and quickstep are two other dances that fall under the umbrella of ballroom.
The Viennese Waltz. Image Source: flickr-rickr, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
4. Belly Dancing
Although belly dancing is typically considered of Asian origin, many say that it is one of the oldest forms of dance, with its roots going back to ancient Egypt. Wherever it came from, it is growing in popularity. This dance focuses on sensual movements of the hips, and, of course, the belly. Women wear colorful costumes with lots of jewelry and belts with dangling coins, and they perform in groups. Belly dancing is fun and high energy, a dance often seen at celebrations.
Image Source: Chris_Parfitt, (CC BY 2.0), via flickr
5. Hip Hop
Hip Hop became popular in the United States in more recent history, namely the 1970s. This dance involves fluid movements of the body, many involved with the lower torso, as it moves near the ground. Michael Jackson was a tremendous dancer, and many of his moves incorporated hip hop movements, as well as break dancing. This type of dance is also known as street dancing, and it definitely has a charm all its own.
Image Source: Casa Fora de Eixo Minas, (CC BY-SA 2.0), via flickr
Tap and modern dance styles certainly have their own place, and there are other cultural dances such as Irish and Indian that are all about dance and delightful to see, as well. It’s hard to limit myself to just five famous types of dance, but these all have one thing in common: charm. They are just different and incredibly appealing. If you ever get a chance to travel to these great countries, pick up travel coupons such as an Olotels discount code August and head off to see these native dances for yourself.
Author Bio: Jane Hudson is a freelance writer and college English teacher. She writes on traveling, culture, education and more.