Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Assignment 6: Dance


1. Describe the baroque period of dance.
               
The baroque era in Europe, roughly 1600-1750, integrated the specific style into their dance as well.  This was closely linked to the baroque music theatre and opera.  The great innovations in this era originated in the French court under Louis XIV.  Technique was developed and its basics are similar to some of the ballet technique that is still used today.  The style was very proud and upright and was known to the French as the noble style or beautiful dance. 

The main sources of information that allow us to know about baroque are published dance manuals that give the information to be able reconstruct dances. 

2. Discuss why people dance?

People dance for all kinds of reasons.  It is a form of expression that is used for many different situations and events.  It can be used in celebration or mourning, for war, for social reasons, etc.  there is almost an infinite number of reasons that someone would dance.  It can also be used as part of exercise and personal fitness, or just pure interest and fun. 

I am a dancer and have been since I was three.  I have grown up with it being such a big part of my life and really couldn’t imagine it not being a part of my life.  I dance for the love of it.  I do not know what originally sparked my interest but it has always been so interesting to me and just brings me joy.   My favorite thing is to get on stage and dance.  Black house in front of you, lights beaming down, in makeup and costumes, it is just a rush. 

3. Describe one non western dance art form.

Bugaku is a repertorie of dances of the Japanese Imperial court. This dance is derived from traditional dance forms imported from China, Korea , India, and Southeast Asia.  There are two forms of this dance, sahō no mai (“dances of the left”), accompanied by tōgaku (music derived mainly from Chinese forms); and uhō samai no mai (“dances of the right”), accompanied primarily by komagaku (music introduced from Korea). The dances also have different costumes and the colors differentiate them. 

There are also four genres, civil dances, warrior dances, running dances and dances for children. Positions of arms, hands, and feet are highly stylized, and overall choreography consists of simple geometric patterns.  The movements are all cued by the beat of the drum.  A very important element is the masks that are worn by the dancers. 

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