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The Arts
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Dance
American Ballet Theatre's Online Ballet Dictionary - Don't know what a Plie is? Confused by the different positions of a ballerina's feet? Learn Ballet terms and understand their meaning. There are also examples of the many ballet terms!
Ballet Dictionary ABT - Any old dictionary can give you a definition of a word. But this dictionary is illustrated with QuickTime movies that show you what the word means! Watch a dancer perform the half-bend of the knee known as the demi-pli. Ever heard someone try to explain what a " battement sur le cou-de-pied, petit" is? See the definition's movie, and you will understand.
Bassett Street Hounds Morris Dancers - As early as the 1500s, groups of dancers in the Cotswold region of western England were donning their bells and colorful ribbons and welcoming the spring season with a ritual folk dance. Morris dancing on the Net now boasts a worldwide representation from well over 100 teams. Read more about the history of Morris dancing and its various styles (Cotswold, Border, Longsword, and Northwest), all of which are part of the Hounds' repertoire. From this site, you can connect to a searchable archive of the Morris Dance Discussion List and other Morris-related Web pages.
C. K. Ladzekpo - African Music and Dance - "The Africans Are Coming, The Africans Are Coming" is the largest seasonal, professional African cultural arts extravaganza in the United States. Directed by C. K. Ladzekpo, the African Dance Ensemble has been performing since 1973 and continues to stand for tradition and creativity. Dance, especially ethnic dance, is characterized by music, costume, and tradition, and you'll find all of that here. Lots of video (and audio) clips feature the colorful and vibrant dance and percussion ensemble music of West Africa.
Cajun/Zydeco Music & Dance - Cajun two-step dancing is hotter than pepper sauce! You can explore the links here to find out basic and advanced moves. There are sources of online Cajun music, links to sites about Louisiana culture, and more. Parental advisory: Off-site links have not been viewed.
Clogging: What Is It? - If you've ever thought it would be fun to try clogging, read this explanation of what cloggers look like, what they wear, and what's on their feet. You'll learn about the music cloggers move to and the steps they take to complete the dance.
Dictionary of Ballet Terms - Check out this page to see the definitions of all the different terms used in ballet.
Folk Dance Association - Promenade in here for a nice collection of annotated links on everything from contra dancing to Israeli dancing, from social dancing to "Irish Step Dancing for Dummies." Each subsection looks similar at first, but click on the Newcomers area for beginners' information.
Hula, Hawaii's Art and Soul - The origin of hula is a mystery, but everyone agrees that it began as a sacrament, not an entertainment for tourists. You can read about how goddesses brought hula to the Hawaiians and how it is performed with reverence today in many hula schools around the islands. You can also hear a chant accompanied by traditional instruments, such as the pahu hula drum. The drum is constructed from a partially hollowed-out tree trunk with a shark skin stretched over the top.
Hula: From a Native Perspective - "Hula is not just a dance, it is a way of life." Find out how traditional hula has been preserved by Hawaiian women through the ages, and focus on a few of today's dancers and their experiences in bringing this rich cultural expression to a new generation.
Pow Wow Dancing - The powwow drum brings the heartbeat of the Earth Mother to the gathering of Native American tribes. You can see many traditional dances at these spiritual festivals, from the colorful and exciting Fancy Dress dance to more solemn sacred dances. This site explains some of the dances and the traditions surrounding the costumes. Check the schedule to see if a powwow is planned near your home!
Riverdance - The Website - Riverdance has become its own phenomenon, and through it, Irish music and dancing have gained new popularity worldwide. Read the story behind the musical, and experience a virtual "day in the life" of a Riverdance troupe as it prepares for another show. No detail is left to chance, even in rehearsal. There are also brief audio and video clips for you to download, and the page offers six different language options.
Stomp - Oh, man! Your parents are dragging you to see some stage show at the theater, and you think you'll be bored. All of a sudden, some guys come out on stage banging on trash cans and pipes, dancing a rhythm with push brooms, and in general making so much noise that no one hears you when you yell, "Hey! Who are these guys?" You've just been introduced to STOMP, the hot dance show from the British Isles. This Web page lets you hear some fantastic beats created with everyday materials, and if you go to the "Percussion for Kids" area of this site, you'll find some sound and noise experiments that you can try at home.
Studio to Stage - According to this site, ballet began with a 1581 Paris performance of Ballet Comique de la Royne. It was a five-hour production, involving not only dance, but dramatic speech. Since then, ballet has changed quite a bit. Follow the development of dance through the years as influences from France, Russia, and other places make their pointe. Check out first steps in ballet all the way through to comments on a performance from a dancer's perspective. This site was created by students for the ThinkQuest competition.
Tap Dance Homepage - Did you know that May 25 is National Tap Dance Day, signed into law by President Bush in 1989? Don't wait until then to find all the neat information about tap dancing at this site. If you're getting your shim sham confused with your paddle and roll, then refer to the Tap Steps glossary (and instructions) to set you straight. The Sites and Sounds of Tap section includes video clips and recordings. There's an events calendar, book list, tap trivia, and lots more. The Who's Who section lists tap companies and has bios of some of tap's greatest from today and yesterday, such as Gregory Hines, Hank Smith, Fred Astaire, and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, whose birthday was--you guessed it--May 25, 1878!
The US Swing Dance Server - Swing dancing has gotten hot! If you're a little confused by the names of the dances--lindy hop, West Coast swing, and the hustle--just triple-step in here. There are instructions, videos, an events calendar, and links.
US Swing Dance Server - Swing dancing has gotten hot! If you¹re a little confused by the names of the dances‹lindy hop, West Coast swing, and the hustle‹just triple-step in here. There are instructions, videos, an events calendar, and links.
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