The statement basically says that the way an audience reacts to a dance explains and gives a representation…
It is obvious that Katherine Dunham transformed American dance in 1930’s. By studying the foundation and roots of black dance and rituals, she was able to transform them into artistic pieces of choreography. She introduced the use of both ethnic and folk dance and is a prominent founder of the anthropological dance movement. At that time, dance was heavily influenced by Europe, but Dunham was able to create an impact in the dance world by bringing Caribbean and African…
The dancing has already started when I arrived. I was told that they were doing the ‘Intertribal Dance’. In this particular dance, everyone is welcome to take part – even the spectators. The dancers moved in a circular clockwise motion a without any particular moves. They then invited the public to join them in the dance. I was hesitating to try it at first. But I told myself that won’t get the experience anywhere else. So, I decided to just do it. The basic step is the same step used by traditional dancers. First, one foot is tapped on one beat, placed down flatly. The action is then repeated with the opposite foot, without missing a beat. I enjoyed taking part in the dance as it was the only chance for me to experience the Native American culture closely.…
American dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham is one of the most famous African American dancers of all time. She strived to expose the awareness of the African Diaspora through her choreography. Her dance technique shows a collection of many cultures since she herself was a very cultural ethnic person. Dunham’s work has brought a great influence in the world of dance. Her hard work is still honored and appreciated to this day.…
After the reservation, I went to vist Oklahoma. I see Indians dancing the dance was called Ghost Dance. Once the U.S Army saw the dance they made them stop but they didn’t. The U.S Armey was scared that they were going to fight against them. Once the Armey decided to kill them, About 200 men, woman and children died. They called it Wonded Knee once they killed the Indians dancing the Ghost Dance. The U.S. Armey would use guns many poeple died the weapons are alot diffrent from now. Many people died back then. They would die from the U.S Armey now they really…
The holy drum and the people around it began the tempo and started to chant and sing. Then the outer circle which I’m assuming are the dancers who began to shake what it looks like a shaker and goes along with the tempo. During the song, they would eventually stand up from their chairs and start moving around the circle slowly dancing and shaking their shakers. When the song gets louder and stronger the beat, they would stop and lift their heels up as they shake their shakers harder. They were all holding a big feather with their left hand while holding the shaker with their right. They were also wearing a blue-red blanket over their shoulders. What I also noticed was that only the men were able to participate while the women were making the least amount of movements other than their legs or knees. I am not quite sure if this is part of the Gourd Dance, but then I saw that they began to gather close to each other and in front of one elder they began to drop money in front of his feet and said something to him, then started forming a long line next to him. It wasn’t just the dancers but also other people including women began to do the same process. My group and I were confused about why this was happening during a dance, but from what I was listening, it seems like it was to support and to honor that elder. In my Korean culture, just dropping money in front of someone older, then it is disrespectful but for the Native…
One of the dances I saw was called the Stomp Dance. The meaning behind this dance was that many Native American kids were sent out to boarding schools. Like every other school, this boarding school had a requirement to dress a certain way which did not allow these students to wear their traditional clothing. However, during recess, many of the students would gather together at a school courtyard. They would come in a circle a simple walking around with swaying movements and sing.…
A pow-wow is often set up as a series of large circles. The center circle is the dance arena, the outside circle which is much larger consist of the MC's table, drum groups, and sitting areas for dancers and their families. Most of the various types of dances performed at a pow-wow are descended from the dances of the Plains tribes of Canada and the United States, the most common is the intertribal, where a drummer will sing a song and anyone who wants to can come and dance. The clothing worn by participants is known as Regalia. Music for pow-wow dance competition and other activities is provided by a "Drum," a group of performers who play a large, specially designed drum and sing traditional songs. The number of members of a drum group may vary, but is usually at least four people, and can be far more. Some members of the drum group may wear traditional regalia and dance as well as drum, other times drummers simply wear street clothing. Drums usually rotate…
The stage performance of Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma was a beautiful integration of book, song and dance. The three elements add richness and aesthetic quality in very distinctive ways. Dance is a form of expression using rhythmic movements of the body. Facial expressions and the use of body language through dance offer portrayals of feelings that compensate for dialogue. The choreography done by Agnes de Mille integrates dance into the lives of the frontiersmen (and women) of the Oklahoma territory. The 20th Century Fox film version released in 1955 had key differences than the current Broadway musical. One of the main differences other than a little extra dialogue was the utilization of dance. In the film dance was not used as a primary asset to the production. The impact of dance could be described by comparing the stage performance with the film.…
The first dance was held by Wovoka in 1889. The ritual lasted five successive days, being danced each night and on the last night continuing until morning. Hypnotic trances and shaking accompanied this ceremony, which was supposed to be repeated every six weeks. The ceremony also had rhythmic drumming and introduced many new musical instruments into Indian religious ceremonies. In addition, both men and women participated in the dance, unlike other Indian religions in which men were the primary dancers, singers, and musicians.…
Music is a form of expression. It is a way of communicating an idea and telling a story. But music can be used in various ways. Throughout my life, I’ve found the power of music within my passion for dance. I enjoy finding different instrumental pieces and discovering how I can create movement based on them. However, my favorite part about creating choreography is letting myself go and using my experience in theatre to understand the power of conveying a story. I decided to follow this passion when we were assigned to create a creative assignment based off of one of the topics we’ve covered this year in World History Class. I have always been really interested in change and learning about how an individual is able to go against society to…
1. Moko Jumbies - The stilt dancer known throughout the Caribbean, is a traditional folk character that was originally brought from West Africa. The word "Moko" is derived from the name of a West African God and "jumbie" or "ghost" was added by liberated slaves after Emancipation. On stilts, that ranged between 10 to 15 feet high (often brightly painted in stripes) the Moko wore long full skirts or pants, a brightly coloured satin or velvet jacket and an elaborate admiral's hat topped by plumes. The Moko Jumbie (sometimes accompanied by a dwarf in similar costume) would dance through the streets all day, collecting money from spectators gathered at second floor windows or on balconies. He danced a jig to the accompaniment of drum, triangle and flute or to the music of passing bands.…
Like many Indian arts, Indian dance also has its root in religion. Without the religious and cultural background of India, the growth and beauty of Indian dance is not possible. In Natya Shastra', there is a small story about the origin of Indian dance. According to Hindu mythology, dance first existed in heaven. There was always a constant conflict between the Asuras and the Devas for wealth and power. The Devas were tired of the Asuras' greediness and jealousy.…
Dr. Bala is one of the faculty members of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. His daughter, Adithi performed a dance called Bharathanatyam. It is a classical dance of India. Then the event almost came to an end by a sensational medley by Sandeep, Bharath, Ravi, Pratyusha, Pavithra, Haritha and Varsha. The sensational medley was composed of four different songs- Barso Re, Dethadhi Dethadhi, Gaajulu ghallu mannave and Naka Muka. Barso Re is a country style dance. Dethadi Dethadi is a folk-style courtship dance. Gaajulu Ghallu Mannave is a song of bangles and finally Naka Muka is street dancing. After all…
Kuchipudi dancers are quicksilver and scintillating, rounded and fleet-footed, they perform with grace and fluid movements. Performed to classical Carnatic music, it shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam. In its solo exposition Kuchipudi numbers include 'jatiswaram' and 'tillana' whereas in nrityam it has several lyrical compositions reflecting the…