Thursday 13 - Dance Edition

Posted: Thursday, November 15, 2007 by Travis Cody in
22

I had such a wonderful experience last week with Peace Globes. A great benefit from that day is that I've met a lot of new bloggers. Of course, the side effect to that is there are many more blogs to visit.

I'm having a tough time getting to everyone. But it's not an option not to visit. So it may take me all week to make my rounds, but I'll get there.



Today I present 13 dance terms.

1. Allegro - A dance with a fast or moderate tempo.

2. Ballroom dances - social dances usually performed by couples, including the fox-trot, waltz, tango, rumba, swing, mambo, samba, and cha cha.

3. Carolina Shag - A very popular Swing style from Virginia down through the Carolinas into areas of Georgia. Most often danced to "Beach Music" performed by such groups as the Tams, The Embers, The Drifters and a wide range of "Motown" recording artists. The dance showcases the man and resembles West Coast Swing with the same slot movement, shuffles, coaster steps and pronounced lean resulting in role of the partner movement. The music tempo is slow to medium and can be danced comfortably by all ages.


4. Cuddle position - (also known as Varsouvienne or Skating Position) - Woman is at man’s left or right side, both facing in the same direction; one arm of man is across woman’s back, and position of other arm depends on method of arriving in cuddle position. Yum-OH!

5. Five positions - The basic positions of the feet. First position: feet in a straight line, heels touching. Second position: feet in a straight line, heels apart. Third position: one foot in front of the other, parallel to it, with heel of front foot in hollow instep of back foot. Fourth position: one foot in front of the other, parallel, but apart. Fifth position: One foot in front of the other, parallel, with heel in front foot touching toe of back foot.

6. Hoofer - A term used for a dancer of the 1920's, and later not just any dancer, but became specifically to refer to a tap dancer.

7. Jitterbug - A lively social dance popular during the 1930's. It is a toned down version of a Lindy Hop.


8. Line - The length and stretch of the body from head to toe.

9. Pas de Deux - A dance for two, usually a woman and a man. In its traditional form, it begins with an entree and adagio, followed by solo variations for each dancer, and a coda.

10. Phrasing - The fitting of dance figures to the rhythm and/or melody of the music. Phrasing may be adjusted in certain dances by the use of lead-in steps to bring the dancers in on a different beat.

11. Rise and Fall (ballroom) - a controlled raising and lowering of the body while dancing. The waltz is characterized by rise and fall.

12. Tour en l'air - A turn in the air, executed as the dancer jumps with the body held vertically straight. Males perform single, double or triple tours.

13. Viennese Waltz - With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have today's Viennese Waltz.


These terms were all lifted from Centralhome.com, which is a website dedicated to information about all kinds of dance.

22 comments:

  1. Jeff B says:

    You're like the Cliff Clavin of the dance world! That was really cool info to check out.

    Ah, to have a right and a left foot instead of two lefts. It'd be so nice.

  1. Anndi says:

    YOU USED FRENCH!

    Great post sweet bro of mine! (see Vince, I'm not the only video monster... bwahahahahahahaha!)

    LOVED it!

    Maybe I should look into signing The Chicklet up for dance lessons...

  1. Great post--I've learned a lot about dance that I never knew before from here! Happy TT!

  1. Gledwood says:

    I 1ce had to do "chacha" it was most unpleasant... at ballroom dancing classes... I don't want to talk about it it was a horrible experience hahaha!

    ;->...

    How is your royal huskiness these days? I've not been by here for a while... and might not have had my robohammy "avatar" at the time... either...

    Take it Easy!!

    all the best

    Gledwood
    "Vol 2"...
    ;->...

  1. Hi Trev, I wish I knew where I found those photos, it was a website I stumbled on, I wish I had bookmarked it, sorry.

  1. Anonymous says:

    I remember visiting and meeting you last week through the peace globes--what a great event, huh? Great topic for TT, but I have two left feet!! Can you teach them too? Have a great Thursday.

  1. Gosh, who knew? I randomly watched one episode of Dancing with the Stars and was a little overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing!

    Happy TT!

  1. Schmoop says:

    Most women find me too allegro in bed. Cheers!!

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. fun post....

    I'm with you on trying to catch up...if everyone would just quit posting for a couple days...I might just have a chance.

  1. Sandee says:

    We are all trying to keep up. That's a good thing Travis. You sure like dancing don't you. Have a great TT and I learned a lot from your list. :)

  1. UPDATE: I found it
    http://veteranshistory.org/index.htm

    this is a cool site, go back and click on the photo and see these people today, wow is that cool.

  1. TY Travis for the definitions...and please explain to sweet Anndi, that using a couple of videos in NO WAY equates to her being Queen Of The Video Monsters when she has 5-20 on her posts!

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Well I never knew all that - thanks for the info. :)

  1. okay, i'm just not a big "watching the dance" fan, but that jitterbug video was freakin' amazing!

  1. Jeff: The only advantage I had before I took ballroom classes was that I was an athlete and had a certain coordination. Anybody can learn how to do the steps and have a good time. We can't all be pros, but we can all learn how to sweep our ladies around the dance floor.

    Ann: I did! And I didn't THUMP myself. She's musical, she might enjoy dance.

    Joely: I'm pleased to share my enjoyment of it.

    Gledwood: Welcome back. I get a kick out of most ballroom and Latin dances, except I've never really enjoyed Tango.

    Sarge: I may have to scroll on through the bloggosphere and see if I can stumble on it. It's a really cool set of photos.

    Bridget: Well, if you have a partner who understands how to lead all you have to do is move with those guidance cues. And if you can count rhythm and stay in it, then you're dancing!

    Claudia: It's quite a fun show.

    Matt: There's a time and a place for quick. Cheers!

  1. Katherine: I guess if we're all struggling to catch up, then we all understand the problem and no one will be upset if it takes a day or two to get around and comment on posts.

    Sandee: It is a good thing. It means our community is getting bigger. And I love dancing!

    Sarge: Woooooooooo!!! Cool Sarge. I'll be checking this out.

    V: Uhm...do I have to?

    Akelamalu: You are quite welcome.

    Mo: I love that Jitterbug! My gram taught me how to do that when I was a kid. I can't do the crazy stuff anymore, but I can still keep the pace.

  1. Jeni says:

    You left out the term about dancing that applies directly to me -"Two LEFT Feet!"

  1. Neila says:

    Isn't Allegro an allergy medication? I'm just saying . . .

  1. I didn't see the term "Klutz" on your list. That's the inability to remain upright when trying to perform the simplest of all dance steps.
    ~~~Blessings~~~

  1. Holly says:

    I've been addicted to this season's Dancing With the Stars. Does that count?

    Smiles,

    Holly
    http://theabundanceplace.com

  1. Jeni: I firmly believe that anyone can learn to dance well enough to enjoy themselves.

    Neila: You're funny!

    Gracie: Awww now. Bet I could teach ya.

    Holly: It always counts! I do recap posts on Tuesday and Wednesday too.