Dance Resource Guide

1
Dance Resource Guide

• The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses
  - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on
  the road, long before I dance under those
  lights.
• - Muhammad Ali

2
Dance

• Dance (from French danser) is an art form that
  generally refers to movement of the body, usually
  rhythmic and to music, used as a form of
  expression, social interaction or presented in a
  spiritual or performance setting.
• In sports, gymnastics, figure skating and
  synchronized swimming are dance disciplines while
  martial arts kata are often compared to dances.
• Definitions of what constitutes dance are
  dependent on social, cultural, aesthetic,
  artistic and moral constraints and range from
  functional movement (such as folk dance) to
  virtuoso techniques such as ballet.

3
Dance

• Dance can be participatory, social or performed
  for an audience. It can also be ceremonial or
  competitive. Dance movements may be without
  significance in themselves, such as in ballet or
  European folk dance, or have a vocabulary/symbolic
  system as in many Asian dances. Dance can embody
  or express ideas, emotions or tell a story.
• Dancing has evolved many styles. Breakdancing and
  Krumping are related to the hip hop culture.
  African dance is interpretive. Ballet, Ballroom,
  Waltz, and Tango are classical styles of dance
  while Square and the Electric Slide are forms of
  step dances.
• Every dance, no matter what style, has something
  in common. It not only involves flexibility and
  body movement, but also physics. If the proper
  physics is not taken into consideration, injuries
  can and are likely to occur.
• Choreography is the art of creating dances. The
  person who creates (i.e., choreographs) a dance
  is known as the choreographer.

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Dance

• Dance categories by number of interacting dancers
  are mainly Solo dance, Partner dance and Group
  dance.
• There is great variety in dance in the United
  States of America, it is the home of the hip hop
  dance and its derivative Rock and Roll, and
  modern square dance (associated with the United
  States of America due to its historic development
  in that country--nineteen U.S. states have
  designated it as their official state dance) and
  one of the major centers for modern dance.
• There is a variety of social dance and concert or
  performance dance forms with also a range of
  traditions of Native American dances.

5
Training Session 1

• Conga
• Parachute Dance

6
Conga Line

• The conga is a Latin American carnival march that
  was first developed in Cuba and became popular in
  the United States in the 1930s and 1950s.

• The dancers form a long, processing line.
• It has three shuffle steps on the beat.
• Followed by a kick that is slightly ahead of the
  fourth beat.

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Parachute Dance

• Purpose of Activity The students will be able to
  perform a parachute dance which promotes rhythm,
  coordination, the development of upper body
  strength, and locomotor skills.
• Suggested Grade Level K-5
• Materials Needed CD player, parachute with
  enough spots for each child in the class
• Recommended music Behind the Clouds by Brad
  Paisley from the Cars soundtrack
• Beginning dance formation Students begin facing
  the parachute with the handle of the parachute or
  the material of the parachute in both hands with
  an overhand grip. The parachute is held at waist
  level.

8
Step-Close Sequence

• When the music begins hold for 4 sets of 8
  counts.
• 1-16 -- Step R to R side and close L, taking
  weight onto the L foot (2 counts). Repeat the
  move for a total of 8 times for a total of 16
  counts. On the last count, tap with the L foot so
  that the move can be reversed.
• 1-16 -- Step L to the L side and close R, taking
  weight onto the R foot (2 counts). Repeat the
  move for a total of 8 times for a total of 16
  counts.

9
Shake and Sway Sequence

• 1-8 -- Stand in place and gently shake the
  parachute up and down to the music.
• 1-8 -- Repeat the shaking movements.
• 1-8 -- Students will all sway to the R for 2
  counts, back to the center for 2 counts, to the L
  for 2 counts and back to the center for 2
  counts.
• 1-8 -- Repeat the swaying movements for 8 more
  counts.

10
The Mushroom Move Sequence

• 1-8 -- Raise the arms above the head making the
  parachute lift into the air to form a mushroom.
  
• 1-8 -- Students march under the parachute for 8
  counts.
• 1-8 -- Students march back from under the
  parachute for 8 counts.
• 1-8 -- Students lower the parachute to the
  starting position.
• 1-32 -- Repeat the entire Mushroom Move
  sequence.

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Locomotor Skill Sequence

• There will be instrumental music in the song.
  Students will face to the side and hold the
  parachute with the L hand.
• 1-32 -- 16 skips - Each skip is 2 counts.
  Students can begin with either foot. Emphasize
  proper spacing and parachute etiquette.
• 1-32 -- 32 runs - again emphasizing proper
  spacing and parachute etiquette. Students will
  need to face the parachute and take the beginning
  grip on the last 2 counts.

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Parachute Dance

• The singing will begin and the dance will start
  over.
• After repeating the dance a second time, add the
  following 16 counts1-16 -- Stand in place and
  gently shake the parachute up and down.The song
  then continues with several measures of
  instrumental music.
• You can continue to repeat the dance or add your
  own locomotor skills or activities.

13
Training Session 2

• Folk Dance
• Line Dance

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Folk Dance

• Folk dance is a term used to describe a large
  number of dances, mostly of European origin, that
  tend to share the following attributes
• Originally danced in about the 19th century or
  earlier.
• Performance is dominated by an inherited
  tradition rather than by innovation.
• Danced by common people and not exclusively by
  aristocracy.
• Developed spontaneously and there is no governing
  body that has final say over what "the dance" is
  or who is authorized to teach it. Folk dances are
  traditionally performed during social events by
  people with little or no professional training.
• New dancers often learn informally by observing
  others and/or receiving help from others.
• Folk dancing is viewed as more of a social
  activity rather than competitive, although there
  are professional and semi-professional folk dance
  groups, and occasional folk dance competitions.

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Folk Dance Terminology

• The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to
  certain dances of historical importance in
  European culture and history typically
  originated before 20th century.
• The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances
  which are to a significant degree bound by
  European tradition and originated in the times
  when the distinction existed between the dances
  of "common folk" and the dances of the "high
  society".
• The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used
  when it is required to emphasize the cultural
  roots of the dance.

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Folk Dance

• Types of folk dance include
• Clogging
• English country dance
• International folk dance
• Irish dance
• Morris dance
• Nordic polska dance
• Ball de bastons
• Square dance
• Sword dance
• Some choreographed dances such as contra dance,
  Israeli folk dance, Scottish country dance, and
  modern Western square dance, are called folk
  dances, though this is not true in the strictest
  sense.
• Country dance overlaps with contemporary folk
  dance and ballroom dance. Most country dances and
  ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with
  gradual refinement over the years.

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Line Dance

• A line dance is choreographed dance with a
  repeated sequence of steps in which a group of
  people dance in one or more lines without regard
  for the gender of the individuals, all facing the
  same direction, and executing the steps at the
  same time.
• Line dancers are not in physical contact with
  each other. Older "line dances" have lines in
  which the dancers face each other, or the "line"
  is a circle, or all dancers in the "line" follow
  a leader around the dance floor while holding
  the hand of the dancers beside them.

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Line Dance Description

• In a small group there may be only one line, but
  usually there are several parallel lines, one
  behind the other. In this parallel line
  formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized
  manner, but independently of each other. There
  are usually no moves that require any interaction
  between the dancers, other than they execute the
  maneuvers at the same time.
• Although line dances can be fairly simple, as
  with the 18 count 4 wall beginner "Electric
  Slide," increasing complexity can be created
  through several means. In general, higher-count
  sequences are more difficult. (One "count"
  corresponds to one musical beat.)
• The inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences
  of steps also makes a dance more challenging.
  When a line dance is done to fast music, it is
  usually more difficult.
• Body movements other than steps, such as hand
  gestures, can add complexity. "Phrased" line
  dances are written to go with specific versions
  of songs.
• Tags, bridges, and skipping over, or repeating
  portions of the dance, are all devices that are
  used to follow the phrasing in the music.
• These phrased dances require dancers to be more
  conscious of the music and not simply repeat the
  same sequence of steps for an entire song.
• Contra line dances such as "Wild Wild West" by
  Lana Harvery have two sets of lines with the
  dancers facing each other. Dancers may make
  momentary contact while coming close to, or
  passing, the dancer in the opposing line.

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Line Dance History Culture

• Line dance is sometimes thought of as originating
  in the Wild West. In fact, it has a much more
  diverse background. Many folk dances are danced
  in unison in a single, nonlinear "line", and
  often with a connection between dancers.
• The absence of a physical connection between
  dancers is a distinguishing feature of country
  western line dance. Line dances have accompanied
  many popular music styles since the early 1970s,
  including swing, rock and roll, and disco. The
  variety and popularity of line dances in the late
  20th, and early 21st century is, however,
  noteworthy.
• Line dancing's current popularity grew out of the
  disco period, when the country-western dance and
  music communities continued to explore and
  develop this form of dancing.

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Line Dance Music

• Line dancing has a cowboy image, and it was
  danced predominantly to country-western music.
  This has been changing since the 1970s, when the
  hustle line dance became popular. Line dancing
  became even more popular with a wider range of
  music in the 1990s, as more young people took up
  line dancing (largely due to several pop bands
  releasing songs with videos featuring what later
  became line dances).
• Today, country music may make up the minority of
  a line dance DJ's playlist, with the balance
  spread over a variety of musical styles both new
  and old. Genres including Celtic, Swing, Pop,
  Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost anything else
  that has a regular beat.

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Popular Line Dances

• Electric Slide
• Cha Cha Slide
• The Hustle
• Cupid Shuffle

• Boot Scootin' Boogie
• Achy Breaky Heart
• Macarena
• Chicken Dance
• Cotton Eye Joe

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Cotton-Eyed Joe

• "Cotton-Eyed Joe" is a popular American folk song
  known at various times throughout the United
  States and Canada, although today it is most
  commonly associated with the American South.

• "Cotton Eye Joe" is also a popular spoke line
  dance that can be seen and danced at country
  western dance venues.
• The 1980 film Urban Cowboy sparked a renewed
  interest in the dance, and most recently a
  version of the song recorded by the Swedish band
  Rednex in 1994 as "Cotton Eye Joe" has become
  popular.
• The precise origins of this song are unclear,
  although it predates the American Civil War.
• "Cotton-Eyed Joe" has been a standard during the
  seventh-inning stretch at Texas Rangers baseball
  games since the team moved to Texas in 1972.

23
Line Dance Terms

• Basic
• A basic is one repetition of the main dance from
  the first count to the last not including any
  tags or bridges. In competition if this is
  danced "as written" with no variations, it is
  called "Vanilla" stop
• Variation
• Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner
  status will often replace a section of a dance
  (say 8 beats) with a compatible set of steps
  which is called a variation. This is often
  required in competitive line dancing.
• Count
• A dance will have a number of counts, for example
  a 64-count dance. This is the number of beats of
  music it would take to complete one sequence of
  the dance. This is not necessarily the same
  number of steps in the dance as steps can be
  performed on an and count between two beats, or
  sometimes a step holds over more than one beat.
• Restart
• A restart is a point at which the basic dance
  sequence is interrupted and the dance routine is
  started again from the beginning. Restarts are
  used to fit the dances to the phrasing of the
  music.

24
Line Dance Terms

• Step
• A dance is made up of a number of movements
  called steps. Each step is given a name so
  teachers can tell dancers to perform this step
  when teaching a dance. The most well-known is the
  grapevine (or vine for short), which is usually a
  three-step movement to the side, with the fourth
  step added to complete the measure. There can be
  any number of movements in one step.
• Tag / Bridge
• A tag or bridge is an extra set of steps not part
  of the main dance sequence that are inserted into
  one or more sequences to ensure the dance fits
  with the phrasing of the music. The term tag
  usually implies only a few additional counts
  (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas bridge implies a longer
  piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally
  interchangeable, however.

25
Line Dance Terms

• Wall
• Each dance is said to consist of a number of
  walls. A wall is the direction in which the
  dancers face at any given time the front (the
  direction faced at the beginning of the dance),
  the back or one of the sides. Dancers may change
  direction many times during a sequence, and may
  even, at any given point, be facing in a
  direction half-way between two walls but at the
  end of the sequence they will be facing the
  original wall or any of the other three.
  Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the
  sequence uses that wall as the new frame of
  reference.
• In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same
  direction at the end of the sequence as at the
  beginning.
• In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence
  end alternately at the back and front walls. In
  other words, the dancers have effectively turned
  through 180 degrees during one set. The samba
  line dance is an example of a two-wall dance.
  While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn
  180 degrees to face a new wall.
• In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the
  end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or
  left from the direction in which they faced at
  the beginning. As a result, the dancers face each
  of the four walls in turn at the end of four
  consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before
  returning to the original wall. The hustle line
  dance is an example of a four-wall dance because
  in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the
  left to face a new wall.

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Step Descriptions

• Descriptions of some dance steps in their typical
  form are below. They are subject to variations in
  particular dances, where a stomp or a point may
  occur instead of a touch, for example, in the
  grapevine.
• Chasse One foot moves to the side, the other
  foot is placed next to it, and the first foot
  moves again to the side.
• Grapevine One foot moves to the side, the other
  moves behind it, the first foot moves again to
  the side, and the second touches next to the
  first. There are variations the final step can
  consist of a hitch, a scuff, placement of weight
  on the second foot, and so forth. The name of the
  step is sometimes abbreviated to vine.
• To the left or the right. This is a grapevine
  with a cross in front as well as a cross behind.
  Creates a slight zig zag pattern on the floor.
• Triple Step This is 3 steps being taken in only
  2 beats of music. Can move forward, backward,
  left, right or on the spot.
• Shuffle step A triple step to the front or the
  back, left or right side, starting on either
  foot. The feet slide rather than being given the
  staccato (short and sharp) movement of the
  cha-cha. There is a slight difference in the
  interpretation of the timing to give the element
  its distinctive look. It is counted as 1 2, 3
  4, etc. However, the actual amount of time
  devoted to each of the 3 steps in the shuffle is
  3/4 of a beat, 1/4 of a beat, then one full beat
  of music.
• Lock step A triple step backwards or forwards,
  starting on either foot, with the second foot
  slid up to and tightly locked in front of or
  behind the first foot before the first foot is
  moved a second time in the same direction as for
  the first step.
• Other steps include butterfly, coaster step ,
  hitch, jazz box, kick ball change, kick ball
  step, lunge, mambo step, , , paddle, pivot turn,
  rock step, scissor step, scuff, , stamp, stomp,
  and vaudeville.

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Two Step

• The two-step is a step found in many folk dances,
  and in various other dances. It seems to take its
  name from the 19th century dance related to the
  Polka.
• A two-step consists of two steps in approximately
  the same direction onto the same foot, separated
  by a closing step with the other foot. For
  example, a right two-step forward is a forward
  step onto the right foot, a closing step with the
  left foot, and a forward step onto the right
  foot. The closing step may be done directly
  beside the other foot, or obliquely beside, or
  even crossed, as long as the closing foot does
  not go past the other foot.
• Some types of two-step, or related steps, are
  named "lock step".

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Triple Step

• Triple Step is a generic term for dance step
  patterns that describes three steps done on two
  main beats of music. Usually they are two quick
  steps and one slow one, i.e., often they are
  counted as "quick-quick-slow", "one-and-two",
  "three-and-four", etc.
• Some dances have a pattern known as such "triple
  step". In some other dances it is referred to as
  the shuffle step.
• Some triple steps are performed in a chasse-like
  manner "side step, together, side step". The
  "cha-cha chasse" is an example of this kind of a
  triple step. In some other cases the steps may be
  done in place.
• Some dances such as swing dances have several
  variants of triple step.

29
Training Session 3

• Mexican Hat Dance
• Chicken Dance

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Mexican Hat Dance

• The Jarabe Tapatío, known in English as the
  Mexican hat Dance, is the title of the musical
  piece and the dance that accompanies it, which is
  accorded the title of the "national dance of
  Mexico".
• In the Spanish language, jarabe is a sort of
  dance, and the adjective tapatío indicates
  something from Guadalajara, Jalisco.

31
Mexican Hat Dance

• The Jarabe Tapatío dance in its standardized form
  was first choreographed by the Mexican, in the
  early twentieth century to celebrate a
  government-sponsored fiesta that commemorated the
  successful end of the Mexican Revolution.
• Since then it has become a folk dance popular
  throughout Mexico and the Southwestern United
  States as a symbol of the national pride and
  honor of the Mexican people.

32
Mexican Hat Dance

• The dance tells the story of love and courtship.
  It can be performed either by a couple or a group
  of couples. A charro, dressed in the traditional
  "charro suit", a three-piece suit composed of a
  vest, jacket, and pants bearing silver buttons
  down the seam), makes initial courtship gestures
  to la china (wearing the traditional China
  Poblana outfit).
• Just as he has impressed the woman, he becomes
  "drunk" with glory, and is shooed away as a
  "borracho" (an inebriate), but ultimately, he
  succeeds in "conquering" the china, throwing his
  hat to the ground and kicking his leg over his
  partner's head as she bends down to pick it up.
• The two do a triumphant march to a military tune
  called a diana, and the dance ends with a
  romantic turn or the couple hiding their faces
  behind the man's sombrero in a feigned kiss.

33
Mexican Hat Dance

• As you listen to the melody, try to feel the beat
  of the music. Repeat "1,2, 3, and 4" over and
  over in your head. This will help you to put the
  arm motions, foot steps and claps together.
  Sometimes, the beat gets faster. When the music
  speeds up, your dance movements must be quick.
  The Mexican Hat Dance can be performed with one
  partner or a group.
• The starting position is standing with feet
  together and hands at sides. Begin the dance on
  the count of "1" by folding your left arm across
  your stomach. Your left hand can have a soft
  fist. Place your right elbow on your left hand.
  Your right hand is open like you are waving.
  Fling your right hand back. At the same time, put
  your right heel out.
• On the count of "2", fold your right arm across
  your stomach. Your right hand can have a soft
  fist. Place your left elbow on your right hand.
  Your left hand is open like you are waving. Fling
  your left hand back. At the same time, put your
  left heel out.
• On the count of "3", fold your left arm across
  your stomach. Your left hand can have a soft
  fist. Place your right elbow on your left hand.
  Your right hand is open like you are waving.
  Fling your right hand back. At the same time, put
  your right heel out.
• On the counts of "and 4" , clap two times very
  fast.
• Start over and repeat the motions of counts "1",
  "2", "3", "and 4", seven times.

34
Mexican Hat Dance

• You can hear the music change. On the count of
  "1", clap. On the count of "2", clap. On the
  count of "3", clap. On the count "and 4", raise
  your arms high and shout " olé " (oh - lay) which
  means hooray in Spanish. Repeat these motions
  three times.
• The music changes again to the beginning melody.
  Repeat the beginning motions four times.
• Then, the music becomes fast and swirling. You
  are to hold hands with your partner or group and
  move quickly around in a circle.
• The song starts over. So repeat all of the hand
  motions, steps, claps and shouts from the
  beginning. The dance ends with everyone moving
  quickly in a circle.

35
Chicken Dance

• The "Chicken Dance" is an oom-pah song composed
  by Swiss accordion (Handharmonika) player Werner
  Thomas from Davos, Switzerland in the 1950s and
  the corresponding fad dance.
• This is not the same dance as "The Chicken"
  popular in American rhythm and blues in the
  1950s, in which the dancers flapped their arms
  and kicked back their feet in an imitation of a
  chicken.

36
Chicken Dance History

• The name of the original Swiss song was Der
  Vogerltanz (The Bird Dance). Since 1963 Werner
  Thomas had played it in restaurants and hotels.
  During one of Thomas' performances, Belgian
  producer Louis van Rijmenant heard the song. Van
  Rijmenant had some lyrics created and in 1970
  released it to the public, without much success.
  In 1977, Dutch local band "De Electronic"
  released an instrumental version, which became a
  hit, and started the international success of the
  song. On some recorded releases of the music
  Werner Thomas is listed as the composer, while on
  others other authors are listed, e.g., as
  "Thomas/Rendall/Hose", probably including the
  authors of the particular arrangement. Since then
  the song has become known under numerous other
  "birdie" names, including "Vogerltanz" (Bird
  Dance), "Danse des Canards", "Chicken Dance" and
  "Dance Little Bird".
• The dance was introduced in the United States in
  1981 during the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oktoberfest by
  the Heilbronn Band from Germany. They wanted to
  demonstrate the dance in costume but there were
  no duck costumes available anywhere near Tulsa.
  At a local television station, however, a chicken
  costume was available which was donated for use
  at the festival. And that is how the "Chicken
  Dance" got its name.

37
Dance Steps

• Flap the wings up
• The "Chicken Dance" song is accompanied by a
  dance requiring a group of people, and it goes as
  follows
• At the start of the music, shape a chicken beak
  with your hands. Open and close it four times,
  during the first four beats of the music.
• Make chicken wings with your arms. Flap your
  wings four times, during the next four beats of
  the music.
• Make a chicken's tail feathers with your arms and
  hands. Wiggle downwards during the next four
  beats of the music.
• Clap four times during the next four beats of the
  music.
• Repeat this process four times.
• At the bridge, hold your arms straight, in
  imitation of an aeroplane. All dancers spin
  around the room in "flight" until the bridge
  ends.
• (Alternately At the bridge, link arms with the
  nearest person, turn right eight steps, switch
  arms and turn left eight steps, then repeat until
  the bridge ends)
• The dance repeats, progressively getting faster
  and faster, until the music stops.

38
References

• Text from
• Wikipedia Search. On-line. Available
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

• Images from
• Google Image Search. Online. Available
  http//images.google.com/
• Wikimedia Commons Search. On-line. Available
• http//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

39
Additional Lesson Plans

• Rhythm Activities
• Interdisciplinary Dances
• Choreography Activities