Урок-исследование "Танцы народов мира"

Dances

If you will patiently dance in our round, And see our moonlight revels, go with us.   (William Shakespeare , “ A Midsummer Night's Dream ”)

• Waltz

• Foxtrot

• Charleston

• Tango

• Cha-cha-cha

• Hustle

• Flamenco

• Ballydance

• Barynya

• Tsyganochka

• Lezginka

• Hip hop

• Break-dance

The name “waltz” came from German verb “waltzen” that means “to be turned” . It is a pair classical dance which was popular in Austria, Czechia, Germany in the end of 18th century. At first it was more popular in Vienna. There are two main styles of waltz: slow ( age-old ) and fast (Viennese). Movements in the Viennese Waltz are gentle , smooth and graceful. The slow waltz (or the Waltz-Boston) was generated in England. There is a difference between classical Viennese dance and the Waltz-Boston in music and movements. Women dance it in a dress with a narrow top and a fluffy skirt. Men do it in a strict black classical suit.

WALTZ

FOXTROT

It is a classical ballroom dance. It was invented by an actor Harry Fox in America in the beginning of 20th century. After the 1st World War foxtrot became popular in Europe too. For that time this dance was more fashionable than waltz and tango. Later in the early 1950th Rock-and-Roll appeared and borrowed some of base movements of foxtrot. There are different styles of foxtrot. For example: American, English and International styles. Also there are two versions of foxtrot: slow (Foxtrot) and fast (Quickstep). Men dance it frock-coats and women dance foxtrot in a classical wide dress to their ankle.

CHARLESTON

The Charleston is a dance named for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, the USA. The rhythm was popular in America in 1920s. It has Afro-American roots. At that time girls danced it together or alone to emphasize their disregard to people who supported “dry law”. Then this dance was considered provocative and amoral. Nowadays the Charleston is believed to be a classical jazz dance which is performed by one dancer or a pair.

TANGO

Tango is a modern dance and music style. The word “tango” had African roots and used to name mix of European, African and American style of music. Only at the end of 19th century it became a dance. Firstly it was well known in Argentina and Uruguay and then it became popular all over the world. Today there are lots of styles of tango.

For example: Argentine, Uruguay, ballroom etc. Music and dancing elements of tango are popular in gymnastics, figure skating and other sports. Women dance it in shoes with 10 cm heel, a classic dress with open back, a narrow waist and a broadened skirt. Men’s shoes for Argentine tango must be comfortable and pretty. Usually they have a heel 2-3 cm long.

Cha-cha-cha is a modern dance and music style of Cuban origin, which has spread in Latin American countries and the USA where Caribbean expatriates live. It is a ballroom dance. It is also one of the five dances of Latin American program of international ballroom competitions. Cha-cha-cha can be danced to authentic Latin music, Latin Pop or Latin Rock. The basis of the modern dance was laid down in the 1950s and developed in the 1960s by top competitors of the time. For this dance Latin hip movements are typical and the weighted leg is almost always straight. Women usually dance in a short dress with open back. Men wear a close fit shirt and tight trousers. Both a man and a woman have heeled shoes.

CHA-CHA-CHA

HUSTLE

Hustle is a modern pair dance based on improvisation. It is a name for various dances to the music in a disco style. The word hustle in a translation from English means turmoil. Special music is not necessary for Hustle. This dance can be performed without special preparation. Some people think hustle, appeared in Latin America. Others do not agree with them. There are no special clothes and footwear for this dance. There is just one rule: it shouldn't hinder movement. Hustle is a simple, beautiful dance which can be trained quickly. Hustle becomes more and more popular.

FLAMENCO

Flamenco is not just a dance but a complex of arts. Flamenco includes playing the guitar, singing and dancing. Flamenco is a Spanish term and genre. It was founded in Andalusia in the south of Spain. There are many versions how flamenco appeared. According to the most popular version, it was brought to Spain by Gypsies. Later it took features of different cultures. Flamenco is thought to be a mixture of Arabian, Greek, Jewish and Spanish cultures. At present Spanish style is very popular in Europe. One of the classical women`s item for the dance is a shawl with very long tassels. A fan is a main subject of women’s costume too. A traditional men`s costume is a white shirt with wide sleeves, dark trousers and a wide belt. Short waistcoat (bolero), named “chaleko”, is sometimes put on over a shirt. This dance is full of passion. Listening to a flamenco singer, you can guess he is singing about love and his severe life.

BELLYDANCE

Bellydance is a traditional form of danc ing in the Middle East performed on holidays. Bellydance as a dancing style appeared in the Western world in the middle of the 18 th cent ury . The history of this dance numbers more than four thousand years. However it is not clear till now where this dance has arisen. There are several versions of occurrence of bellydance. Bellydance became very popular in the West too, especially nowadays. It is exotic, mysterious and feminine. This dance is performed by girls. The movements in the dance are flexible and distinguished. T he costume is very important for this dance . The length of a skirt should not reach an ankle. Very wide trousers can be used i nstead of a skirt. At the top a dancer wears a bra adorned with gold, silver, pearls or shining stones. The base of the dance is active movements of hips.

BARYNYA

Barynya is a Russian national dance. It is a spectacular fast and merry group dance. It is danced by a big amount of people. Usually there are 12 or 18 dancers in a group. But may be even more, up to 50 dancers.

Barynya is danced in Russian national costumes. A woman wears sarafan (pinafore dress) and typical Russian shirt named kosovorotka . Also women wear kokoshnik (woman’s headdress in old Russia) . A man wears man’s kosovorotka and “porti” (typical Russian man’s trousers.)

TSYGANOCHKA

Gipsy dance (in Russian: “Tsyganochka”) is very popular in Russia as a dance at wedding parties and street festivities. Gipsy dance has the Indian origin as gypsies themselves. Resettlement of gypsies from India began in the 5th century. Gypsies moved to the West, gradually adopting customs of other people and influencing on their traditions as well. Singing and dancing always took important place in gypsies’ life. So this dance was born somewhere on the roads of the world. The main feature of the dance is a gradually increasing tempo: from slow to fast. Gipsy dance can be divided into three parts:

1. Slow and quiet beginning

2. Dance development. Music acceleration.

3. Very fast temp, short movements.

It is danced in very wide and long skirts, usually red or bright, and a top tied on the breast.

Lezginka

Lezginka is a national dance of Caucasus mountain dweller s. Lezginka is a dance-challenge. Men must demonstrate power and dexterity . Women show grace and fluidity . Usually Lezginka is danced to accompaniment but also it can be danced to drums and claps. The melody of the dance is fast dynamic and the tempo is rising. The movements of a woman are accurate as if she glide s like a swan . A man follows her or suddenly rushes and blocks her way. In concerts women dance in black dresses embroidered with gold or silver ornaments. On holidays such as a wedding party women dance in bright clothes and men do it in tight black trousers.

HIP HOP

Hip–Hop is a street dance. It has got a lot of Jazz movements, because the first performers of Hip-hop were Afro–Americans. In general, Hip–Hop is a quiet dance, with the movements descending to the floor. It is easy to explain by the fact that African people believe in God of the earth. That’s why the movements of the dance are springing and dancers always have a bit relaxed knees.

The first musical instruments of Afro-Americans were drums, that`s why Hip – Hop has a good rhythm. The clothes, as a rule, are simple: free, sports style: trainer and baseball caps, T–shirts and basketball vests, jackets, baggy trousers (also called «pipes») and lowered wide shorts. Hair dresses are short but African dreadlocks are also popular.

BREAK-DANCE

Break-dance is a modern street dance. It is a base of hip-hop culture. It was born in 1969 in New York and was named “Good Foot” in honor of the dance (“Get on the Good Foot”). It was in fashion that time. It became very popular in 1980s and spread all over the world. Break dance isn’t just a mixture of spinning, power moves (energetic movements often involving rotation ) and freeze elements( acrobatic pauses in movement ). It is a developing dance with its own fashion and style of live. B-boys (fans of break-dance) invent new elements like “windmills” and “back-spins” and update previous ones. They usually wear wide shirts, baggy jeans and caps. There are different types of break-dance. For example, toproc k ( movement while standing up ) and downrock (or footwork) ( movement on the ground) . D ownrock s are more popular nowadays.