Rich Dance-Alston https://www.richardalstondance.com/ Blog about dance companies Mon, 26 May 2025 12:05:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2 https://www.richardalstondance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-ekg-g09fbb3e3e_640-32x32.png Rich Dance-Alston https://www.richardalstondance.com/ 32 32 Rhythm, Risk, and Reward: Why Modern Dance and Digital Games Share The Same Thrill https://www.richardalstondance.com/rhythm-risk-and-reward-why-modern-dance-and-digital-games-share-the-same-thrill/ Mon, 26 May 2025 12:05:54 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=140 At first glance, modern dance and online games might seem like distant cousins at best—one rooted in physical expression and…

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At first glance, modern dance and online games might seem like distant cousins at best—one rooted in physical expression and artistic intent, the other born of code and competition. But looking closer, something fascinating emerges: both are built on rhythm, risk, and the promise of reward.

The sensations are strikingly similar, whether you’re leaping across a stage or watching a token drop down a digital board. There’s timing. There’s anticipation. And above all, there’s the undeniable thrill of not knowing exactly what comes next.

Rhythm as Structure and Freedom

Modern dance thrives on rhythm—not always strict, metronomic beats, but pulses that shape space, breath, and movement. The dancer listens, interprets, and sometimes defies rhythm to create tension and meaning.

Likewise, rhythm is essential in digital games. It lives in the pacing of levels, the beat of user inputs, and the feedback loops between action and response. In rhythm-based games, it’s overt. In strategy or chance-based games, it’s more psychological—but always present.

Both invite us to sync with something outside ourselves to ride the wave of structured unpredictability.

Risk: The Engine of Engagement

Risk is not just present in dance and games—it’s the point.

On stage, risk lives in every improvisation, leap into space, and live performance where anything might go wrong. Risk is what gives the moment its urgency, tension, and aliveness.

In digital gaming, risk comes in many forms—strategic choices, unpredictable outcomes, or simply the click that could lead to loss or gain. The thrill is not just in winning but in the uncertainty, the commitment to a move that might go either way.

There’s a reason dancers and gamers describe the experience as “electric.”

Reward: More Than Just the Win

The rewards in dance are emotional, aesthetic, and deeply personal. The release after a well-executed sequence, the connection to music, to the audience, to self—it’s a kind of payoff that doesn’t come in points—but it’s real.

In games, rewards are more literal—levels cleared, points earned, jackpots won. But the psychological cycle is the same: tension, action, resolution. And in both worlds, the reward is sweeter because of the risk that came before it.

Consider a classic chance-based game where timing and suspense are everything. A recent Plinko slot review describes how players drop a disc down a vertical board, watching it bounce unpredictably toward various prize slots. It’s pure physics meets luck—but what keeps people returning is the rhythm of the drop, the rising tension, and that final moment of reveal.

It’s not so different from the arc of a well-crafted dance.

Why Both Speak to Human Instinct

At their core, both dance and games touch on something ancient. We are rhythmic creatures. We crave challenge and love the thrill of the unknown. We seek out patterns—and revel in moments when those patterns break.

Modern dance and digital play meet us there. They offer spaces where logic and intuition coexist, precision matters, risk is welcome, and reward is never guaranteed but always pursued.

They’re not just entertainment—they’re rehearsal for life.

Final Thoughts

The lines between artistic experience and interactive play are blurrier than ever. As gaming becomes more immersive and dance finds new expression in digital spaces, the shared language of rhythm, risk, and reward becomes more apparent.

So the next time you’re watching a dancer balance on the edge of gravity—or holding your breath as a token bounces unpredictably toward a prize—know that you’re witnessing the same ancient thrill, just in a modern form.

And maybe that’s why we keep returning to both.

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Movement as Storytelling: How Dance Translates Emotion in a Digital World https://www.richardalstondance.com/movement-as-storytelling-how-dance-translates-emotion-in-a-digital-world/ Mon, 26 May 2025 12:05:23 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=137 Before we learn to speak, we move. A raised arm, a shifting gaze, a trembling step—our bodies communicate long before…

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Before we learn to speak, we move. A raised arm, a shifting gaze, a trembling step—our bodies communicate long before our voices do. In many ways, dance is the purest continuation of that language: a way to tell stories without saying a word.

But what happens to this ancient, expressive art form when it enters a digital world—where screens replace stages, and gestures are compressed into seconds?

The answer is not loss but transformation.

The Body as Narrative

Dance has always been about more than steps. It’s about tone, energy, and intention. A dancer’s choices—whether sharp or soft, sustained or sudden—create an emotional arc, a character, and a moment of connection.

Where words can sometimes fail, movement speaks in nuance. Grief slumps the shoulders. Joy lifts the chest. Uncertainty hovers at the fingertips.

This physical storytelling is deeply human, and its universality makes dance so adaptable to new platforms and formats.

From Stage to Screen

In the digital era, dance has found a new home. Choreography reaches millions on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Dancers no longer need a theater but a phone and a spark.

Of course, digital constraints change the way dance is created and shared. Movements become tighter, and transitions are quicker. Stories are told in 15 seconds rather than 15 minutes. But within those limits, new creativity emerges.

Micro-narratives unfold through everyday movement: a raised eyebrow during a pop-and-lock sequence, a costume change that punctuates a phrase, and a shift in lighting that transforms the emotional tone mid-reel.

Dance in the digital world is less about grand arcs—and more about sharp, powerful fragments of meaning.

Intimacy in the Frame

What digital dance lacks in spatial presence, it gains in proximity. The camera brings the audience inches from the performer’s face, and every breath, blink, and bead of sweat becomes part of the story.

This intimacy allows for a new kind of emotional translation. Instead of projecting to the back row of a theater, dancers invite the viewer to sit inside the moment. Vulnerability becomes visible in a way that’s hard to achieve on stage.

The result? A more personal kind of storytelling—raw, direct, unfiltered.

The Rise of Personal Choreography

Not all digital dance is about perfection. One of the most compelling shifts is toward authenticity.

More and more, dancers use movement not to impress but to express. Everyday gestures, improvisation, and even “bad” take become part of the emotional arc. The goal is not to showcase a polished product but to communicate something real.

A teenager spinning alone in their bedroom becomes a narrator of their own life. A professional dancer breaks down mid-practice and shares it. A duet happens between strangers across time zones. These are stories we never would have seen in the traditional dance world—and yet they resonate deeply.

Challenges and Possibilities

Of course, not all stories translate easily to screen. Some choreographies are designed for space, silence, and a live audience’s collective heartbeat. There’s a depth of experience in live performance that no camera can replicate.

But digital tools also open new doors: augmented reality, motion tracking, and interactive choreography. Dancers now collaborate across continents, and movement becomes part of gaming, installation, and virtual design.

In this evolving space, storytelling through dance becomes not just a preservation but a rewriting of tradition.

Final Thoughts

Dance has always been a bridge between the physical and the emotional. In a world increasingly shaped by screens, that bridge is more important than ever.

The stage may be smaller. The audience may be silent. But the stories remain—carried in a turn of the head, a fall to the floor, a hand reaching toward the light.

And wherever there’s movement, something will always wait to be told.

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Street Dance Evolution: Styles, Moves, Attire, and the Crucial Role of Dance Tops https://www.richardalstondance.com/street-dance-evolution-styles-moves-attire-and-the-crucial-role-of-dance-tops/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:07:42 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=115 Street dances have endless possibilities in order to communicate oneself, throbbing rhythms, and expressive motions that make them fascinating. They…

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Street dances have endless possibilities in order to communicate oneself, throbbing rhythms, and expressive motions that make them fascinating. They are a living representation of cultural spirit and identity rather than merely choreographic markers. The evolution of street dancing highlights the impact of socio-cultural aspects on this art form’s development in addition to its shifting forms and techniques. This essay will look at street dancing’s many routines & styles, discuss its background, and discuss the importance of clothes and dance tops in this interesting culture.

Street dancing’s past

The heritage of street dancing is extensive and diverse, rooted in a variety of social contexts and traditions. They started out as a tool for people to express themselves and protest, and ultimately they made their way into current culture and the entertainment industry.

Street dancing started to spread among African American communities in the US in the early 1900s. Street dancing evolved during this time of profound social and cultural upheaval into a form of self-expression for African Americans who experienced prejudice and injustice in addition to being a kind of entertainment.

In a situation like this, street dance appeared as a powerful medium for protest and personal expression. For African American kids, they served as a means of expressing their feelings, culture, and way of life.

The world was familiar with street dancers due to their uniqueness and dynamism and were well-liked by a variety of sociocultural groups. They developed into a colourful symbol of individuality and freedom, inspiring dancers all over the world with various styles and techniques. As such, the history of street dance encompasses not only the history of the arts but also a significant portion of the history of social movements and the fight for equality.

Principal styles

With their distinct rhythms, moves, and historical origins, the main street dancing styles are all distinctive representations of social and cultural customs.

Hip-hop

Hip-hop is a prominent and widely recognized subgenre of street dancing. There are numerous ways it can migrate, including:

  • Breaking: stressing different aspects of footwork, doing acrobatic feats & striking the ground;
  • Locking is typified by gradual, abrupt movements that are fixed at certain spots;
  • Popping – creating rhythmic contractions and expansions of muscles to create “popping” effects;
  • Dances known as “house” have their origins in the New York club scene. It is defined by fluid, smooth motions, an emphasis on emotional expression, engagement with music.

Breakdancing

Breaking, often known as breakdancing, is a vibrant and athletic kind of street dancing that’s frequently seen at dance competitions and on the streets. It consists of:

  • Aspect of acrobatics: head spins, somersaults, tumbles;;
  • Freezes: holding one’s body in a particular position while dancing;
  • Footwork refers to quick, intricate leg motions that are frequently done on the ground.

House

The fluid, flowing dance style known as “house,” sometimes referred to as the “underwater” technique, originated in New York City’s nightlife. This style primarily emphasises rhythm, musicality, & the use of dance to express emotion. The term “underwater” style refers to how it varies from other street dancing forms with its softer, more fluid motions that suggest swimming in water. Being able to blend in musically and use their movements to mirror the beat and emotion of the song is a key component of house. This dancing style focuses on feeling and experiencing the music at an emotional level, not just memorising and repeating moves. Through their facial expressions, the dancers portray this.

The importance of outfits

Clothes in street dancing become an expression of the dancer rather than just a way to hide the body. Like in any other kind of art, street dancers’ uniqueness and sense of flair are shown through their attire. Dancers dress in ways that showcase their individuality, align with their aesthetic tastes, and make them feel good about themselves when performing. Simultaneously, it’s critical that the costumes are practical, permitting the performer to move freely without being constrained.

Additionally, street dance costumes can have a symbolic meaning by expressing the social and cultural facets of the movement. They can convey the beliefs and traditions of a community or style and be intimately connected to its past. As a result, clothing not only enhances the dancing image but also helps one develop a sense of self and community inside the dance world. As a result, preparing for contests & street trance performances requires wearing appropriate clothing.

The role of dance tops

Dance tops serve several purposes in street dancing than just being an article of apparel. For numerous reasons, they have evolved into an essential component of street dancers’ wardrobes. To begin with, dancing tops offer support and comfort throughout rigorous practice and competition. Their fabrics frequently contain qualities that help the skin “breathe” and efficiently wick away moisture, preventing discomfort and overheating.

Dance tops also give you the flexibility of movement required to execute intricate and thrilling dancing moves. They are frequently engineered to minimise constraint and maximise mobility in their design and construction. Because of this, dancing is an unrestricted form of self-expression without having to worry about wearing clothes that are too tight or unpleasant.

Dance tops are essential for defining a dancer’s image and style in addition to their practical uses. They can serve as a chic addition to the entire look, enhancing the performer’s individuality and character while completing it. Dance tops are frequently utilised to set a particular tone or picture on stage, which makes dancers stand out and stick in the audience’s memory. Dance tops are therefore a crucial component of dance aesthetics and self-expression in addition to being a useful addition to the wardrobe.

In summary

Beyond just new dance forms, street dance has developed; it is a reflection of modern society in which each step, note, and piece of clothing is a unique expression of an individual’s creativity & individuality. With its unusual and inspiring fusion of many styles, techniques, clothing, and dance verve, this type of dance contributes to the fact that it attracts and inspires audiences around the world. In addition, this type of dance serves as a forum for intercultural dialog, personal development and mutual inspiration. Each performance is a celebration of uniqueness and cultural diversity; each step becomes an act of courage.

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Unveiling the Finest TV Dance Shows for Betting Enthusiasts https://www.richardalstondance.com/unveiling-the-finest-tv-dance-shows-for-betting-enthusiasts/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:04:11 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=111 These days, millions of people watch dance TV shows in front of their screens not only to see thrilling performances…

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These days, millions of people watch dance TV shows in front of their screens not only to see thrilling performances but also to find out about exclusive betting opportunities. Because dancing competitions are unpredictable and lively, betting on their results has grown in popularity. Platforms such as betting-sider.net offer an extensive selection of options for betting on popular dance shows, making the process even more exciting. In this article, we take a look at the best dance TV shows that are attracting the attention of betting enthusiasts around the world.

Dancing with the Stars: Deep Dive

“Dancing with the Stars” is more than simply a TV program; it is a global cultural phenomenon that has brought millions of followers together. In this competition for dance skill, superstars from a variety of fields, including sports and film, join forces with experienced dancers. The program provides an exceptional fusion of drama, emotion, and talent, which makes it an ideal venue for wagering.

Particular features

  • The range of dance forms

The variety of dance genres seen on Dancing with the Stars is one of its main selling points. From classy waltzes and impassioned tangos to upbeat cha-cha-chas and contemporary hip-hop, every week brings fresh delights for viewers and new challenges for the competitors.

  • Stars and Experts

A special element of interaction and education is added to the program by combining professional dancers with celebrities. As their favorites go through the season, viewers not only follow them but also feel concerned for them since they witness their struggles, growth, and success.

Opportunities for betting

  • Champion’s Selection

Predicting the season’s winner is, of course, the most common wager. This wager has the potential to provide both large winnings and surprising detours due to the unpredictable nature of the audience and the fluctuating nature of the results.

  • Estimating the Jury’s Score

When it comes to couples advancing in the competition, jury scores are quite important. The betting procedure gains a strategic component when bets are placed on individual performance scores or a pair’s total score. Fans of the show and dance experts can forecast results with their expertise.

  • wagering on a competitor’s withdrawal

There is much anticipation for each week’s episode of the show: who will quit the project? Because even favorites may experience surprising results from low jury scores or a lack of audience votes, exit betting can be especially thrilling.

“So You Think You Can Dance”: An in-depth analysis

For dancers wishing to show off their abilities to a national audience, “So You Think You Can Dance?” offers an exceptional stage. It’s a challenge for dancers who wish to demonstrate their proficiency in a variety of dance styles, not simply a TV program. Contestants must overcome a number of obstacles from the audition stage to the finals, all of which call for adaptability, technical precision, and emotional expressiveness.

The show’s originality

  • A variety of styles

The program offers competitors the chance to demonstrate their abilities in a wide range of dance genres, including jazz, ballroom, modern, hip-hop, and modern dance. In addition to enhancing the viewing experience for spectators, this diversity enables dancers to display their versatility.

  • The Competition and the Selection Process

Open auditions are the first step in an intense selection procedure that contestants must go through from the start. Following a number of stages and live performances, they encounter obstacles that call for not only technical proficiency but also the capacity for innovative couple and group cooperation as well as the flexibility to adjust to various choreographic styles and themes.

Opportunities for betting

  • Putting a wager on the victor

Contestants and fans can wager on which competitor will emerge victorious as America’s Best Dancer in this traditional wager. This wager necessitates a thorough comprehension of the competitors’ dancing abilities and potential due to the dynamics of the program and their development from the start to the finish of the season.

  • Forecasts for the week’s top and bottom performances

Bettors and viewers can wager on who they believe will perform the best and worst each week. Because bettors must not only keep up with the present performances but also examine contestant trends and referee preferences, these bets increase the level of engagement.

  • Placing bets on personal obstacles and contests

There are fresh obstacles every week on the show, like solos, ensemble numbers, and partner dances. These particular difficulties offer gamblers additional options for analysis and prediction as bets may be placed on their results.

“World of Dance”

With its spectacular venue for the world’s most brilliant dancers, “World of Dance” has won over millions of fans and grown to become a true sensation in the dance industry. The show has benefited from the distinctive contributions of producers Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, and Derek Hough, who have given it an international audience and given dancers of all styles and cultures a platform. Because of this diversity, the show has a distinct dynamic and visual variety that makes every performance exciting and unexpected. The competition format of “World of Dance” is unique in that it allows dancers to demonstrate not only their individual talents but also their teamwork and flexibility in adjusting to various dance styles and genres. Dueling battles and team challenges are also part of this format.

Like the show itself, “World of Dance” offers a wide variety of thrilling betting options. The ability to predict what distinctive characteristics and choreography might bring victory in a given confrontation is just as important as knowledge of dance genres and technique when it comes to selecting the victors of individual duels for viewers and bettors to pick from. By taking into account each contestant’s or team’s development across the season, predicting the winner of the entire program adds long-term strategy and analysis. Furthermore, placing bets on the performances that the jury deems to be the best enables you to gain a greater understanding of the judging standards and jury preferences. This makes the betting process not only enjoyable but also instructive, illuminating the subtleties of dance technique.

For what reason would one wager on dancing performances?

  1. Uncertain results. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of dance displays adds to the excitement of the betting process.
  2. An extensive variety of genres and styles. Betting fans get the chance to learn more about the world of dance and place better educated bets because of the show’s diverse selection of dance styles.
  3. The capacity to evaluate prior performances. For betting decisions, it can be helpful to review past seasons and performances.

Dance television programs provide a special kind of gaming and enjoyment. Owing to its accessibility and popularity, fans of betting can try their luck by placing bets on their preferred shows in addition to taking in the thrilling performances. Websites like betting-sider.net offer all the resources and knowledge required to take part in this thrilling process with success.

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What is hip hop … the emergence of nir norms! https://www.richardalstondance.com/what-is-hip-hop/ Sat, 14 Jan 2023 05:20:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=65 Hip-hop dancing is a kind of modern street choreography. This genre emerged as one of the first street dances, which at that time already included elements of locking, breakdancing

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Hip-hop dancing is a kind of modern street choreography. This genre emerged as one of the first street dances, which at that time already included elements of locking, breakdancing, popping, etc., which later received a separate subspecies of choreography. The name hip hop appeared much earlier than the dance, it previously meant only a musical direction, it is something between rap and RnB so hip hop can not only dance but also listen and sing).

On the big stage hip hop came from the streets, just like other styles of street dance, hip hop dance was born in not the most prosperous area of the U.S., and it happened in 1970, very soon this dance gained high popularity among local residents, And in order for it to be something cultural and take root was created a special organization that is called “Hip Hop Culture,” and which was engaged in the development of hip-hop and promote it to the masses, for this were carried out different types of battles, first it was a small action between themselves, then between the streets, and further and between districts. This took place in the open air, right on the pavement, without any special equipment, because the Ministry of Culture did not think that hip-hop could develop something good and somehow glorify their country.

However, this did happen and greatly influenced the world choreography, now if we say the two words America and dance, we immediately have the association with hip hop.

Hip hop dance became very popular, probably no country where they would not dance hip-hop, grandiose shows, competitions, festivals are happening with this style, they attract dancers from all over the world with huge teams.

Whatever it was, but exactly every dance school in Lviv has in his arsenal of dance style Hip Hop, the greatest popularity it has gained among young people and children, especially boys.

How to learn to dance hip hop. Children’s hip hop.
To date, which dance studio you have not gone, you will definitely find a style of dance hip hop. Anyone can do this dance, there are lessons for beginners, where you learn to dance hip hop from scratch.

There are different levels of training classes, you can dance hip hop just for yourself, for your pleasure, and you can and professional, then taking part in various activities and demonstrative type.

For hip hop as important as for any other dance sense of rhythm, by and large hip hop – is improvisation, that is, you are under the music is playing now come up with moves and perform them at the same moment. Of course there are certain elements without which it is impossible to hip hop, so for good improvisation in the future you need to learn them, the basis in hip hop is quite large compared to other street dances, includes a variety of “shake” by different parts of the body as well as a large number of steps.

Hip hop improvisation is called – freestyle, just like the improvisation in rap.

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Modern dance – what is it https://www.richardalstondance.com/modern-dance-what-is-it/ Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:18:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=62 Before sorting out what modern dance is, we need to understand what is embedded in the broader concept - dance in general.

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Before sorting out what modern dance is, we need to understand what is embedded in the broader concept – dance in general.

Dance is a form of art, the material for creating images and artistic figures in it is the human body. Rhythmic movements, plasticity, expressive poses are all components of dance. It is an art allowing to embody any emotion, state of mind, to convey feelings and moods through the movements of the body, through moving in space. Dance is inextricably linked with music. It is as if the embodiment of its content, conveys the composition, the idea.

Contemporary dance – a great way not only to show and show themselves on the dance floor, but also an opportunity to better learn themselves, to immerse themselves in the depths of self-consciousness. Contemporary dance is a transfer of understanding of the world around us through the prism of modernity – pop music, mainstream, style of dress, looseness.

This type of dance is created for those who are fond of modern trends in music, who loves parties and clubs, for those who are not shy about their bodies. Modern dance is in fact modern, to keep up with the times, changing to suit the fashion trends, trends of pop culture, mass demands.

The richness of modern dance styles
As in any other art form – and modern dance is art! – Each separate style and direction is a separate story with its own features, set of movements and “tricks”. There are two large groups of contemporary dance with its own subcategories:

Club dance (jazz funk, industrial, house, strip dance, shuffle, hack, jumpstyle, go-go, vogue and others);
Street styles (hip-hop, locking, popping, dubstep, electro dance, drumnbass, krump, etc.)
Whichever style you choose, it would help anyone, even the most shy person to open up to others to show their personality through the movement of fashionable modern beats.

Do not forget, however, that the roots of modern styles go back to the good old classics. Yes, yes, you heard right – all those dubstep, hip-hop and go-go were born from the traditions of ballet, ballroom and folk dance, that’s right. Pain, joy, fear and happiness – all these emotions have been conveyed through the movements of the body and feet for centuries. And today we have the opportunity to see these stunning bunches, broken body movements, mesmerizing pas and turns only because of the traditions that came from a long time ago.

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Folk Dance https://www.richardalstondance.com/folk-dance/ Fri, 21 Oct 2022 05:12:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=58 Dance is the most ancient art. The types of folk dance reflect a nation's culture and life. With it, you can experience the passion of the Spanish or the hot Georgians

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Dance is the most ancient art. The types of folk dance reflect a nation’s culture and life. With it, you can experience the passion of the Spanish or the hot Georgians and feel the lightness of Irish culture or the sense of unity from the Greek sirtaki, explore the philosophy of Japanese dance.

The definition of “folk dance” is used for dances that have historical significance in the culture and history of a people. Definitions of “ethnic dance” or “traditional dance” are also used, although (“traditional dance”) may include characteristics of ceremonial dance. The definition of “folk dance” is for dances that are related to tradition and originated at a time when there were differences between the dances of “ordinary people” and those of “high society”. The definitions “ethnic dance” and “traditional dance” are used to highlight the cultural roots of dance. In this sense, almost all folk dances are ethnic.

Not all ethnic dances are folk dances, for example, ritual dances are not considered folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called “religious dances” because of their purpose.

Every country has its own calling card: a folk dance. Each country’s style is unique – the movements themselves were formed at the dawn of the nation’s formation.

Jewish dance
Seven Forty is a song based on an old tune by street musicians from the square in the late 19th century. It is based on the Freilehe dance. The fast dance embodies the spirit of the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. There, people discovered the tremendous power they expressed in collective dance.

Sirtaki
This dance has no age-old history, although it does contain elements of Greek folk dances. In particular, Sirtos and Pidichtos. The action starts slowly, then speeds up, becoming lively and energetic, like the Pidichtos.

Gypsy Dance.
Gypsies have the most beautiful dancing and long skirts. The premise of “Gypsy” was to interpret the dances of the people around them. The original purpose of the Gypsy dance was to make money in the streets and squares on the principle: who pays, dances.

Irish dance.
It can easily be classified as a type of folk dance, the history of which began in the 11th century. The dancers, with their hands down, beat a shot with their feet on their heels. Church priests considered the hand gesture pointless, so they stopped using their hands in the dance. But the feet filled that void.

Lezginka
Traditional Lezginka is a young dance in which a temperamental, strong and skillful boy, who is in the embodiment of a hawk, seeks the attention of a gorgeous girl. This is especially noticeable when he stands on tiptoes, moves around her, proudly raises his head and spreads his “wings” (arms), as if he is about to take off.

A fiery flamenco
The dance of the peoples of the world discovered the “fiery” flamenco for people. This dance was born in the Spanish province of Andalusia, originally represented by percussion, with flying hands and expressive singing to the guitar castanets. But the adventurous nature of the Spaniards could not resist wind music and dramatic singing.

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Jazz dance https://www.richardalstondance.com/jazz-dance/ Mon, 08 Aug 2022 05:06:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=55 Jazz dance originated in Africa, but was formed in the United States. The artistic feature of jazz dance is the perfect freedom of movement of the whole body of the dancer

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Jazz dance originated in Africa, but was formed in the United States. The artistic feature of jazz dance is the perfect freedom of movement of the whole body of the dancer and individual body parts both horizontally and vertically of the stage space. Jazz dance is, above all, the embodiment of emotion of the dancer, it is a dance of feeling, not of form or idea, as it is in the modern dance.

Jazz as an artistic phenomenon is the result of centuries of evolution of percussion playing by the Negro tribes of Africa. Each Negro tribe has its own set of dances with specific rhythms for each particular occasion. The rhythms change even with the seasons and are clearly differentiated. It takes more than four hours to perform many of them completely.

For three hundred years, from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, black slaves were taken from Africa to Latin America and the United States. Once in America, they recovered their holidays and customs fairly quickly. But, adapting, instead of drums, the black population of America used clapping hands and beating the rhythm with their feet. Whereas in Africa the customs, festivals, dance, and song rhythms were unique to each tribe, in America they blended into one.

At the same time another process was going on. Since the bulk of the U.S. population consisted of Irish, Scottish, and English settlers, the dances of these particular national cultures were an important part of art and daily life. These dances can be divided into two large groups. To the first belonged the so-called “country dances,” i.e. country dances of folkloric character performed by a group or a duo. Irish “Jig” and “Clog” dances were performed in special wooden shoes, with the help of which the rhythm was tapped.

These two cultural trends, European and Negro, influenced each other in the New World and eventually assimilated. Thus, we can conclude that the process of birth of jazz dance as a movement occurred on the basis of African culture, that is, rhythms and dances of folklore character, on which were superimposed various layers; ethnic, religious, aesthetic, geopolitical.

By the end of the 1960s, jazz dance had firmly taken its place among the trends of modern choreography. Its application was wide enough: domestic dance, theatrical dance, film dance, and finally purely choreographic performances created by the language of jazz dance. Being an “open” system, jazz dance in its quests refers to expressive means of other systems and trends of dance, absorbing the achievements discovered by modern dance, classical dance, folk choreography and other trends of dance art. As a result, the process of merging of the main schools of modern choreography began and a new artistic phenomenon appeared – modern jazz dance.

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What is ballet https://www.richardalstondance.com/what-is-ballet/ Fri, 20 May 2022 04:57:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=52 Ballet - a kind of stage art, the main expressive means of which are inextricably linked music and dance.

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Ballet – a kind of stage art, the main expressive means of which are inextricably linked music and dance.

Most often at the heart of the ballet is a story, dramaturgical idea, libretto, but there are also ballets without a story. The main types of dance in ballet are classical dance and character dance. The pantomime plays an important role here, with the help of which the actors convey the feelings of the characters, their “conversation” with each other, the essence of what is happening. The elements of gymnastics and acrobatics are also widely used in modern ballet.

Ballet is an example of a wonderful art that combines body movements and music. The traditions of classical dance were formed during the centuries; the movements were perfected to perfection during the generations. The formula of classical dance is the pursuit of beauty and everything beautiful. Ballet is the art of classical dance, capable of penetrating into the depths of the human soul and winning hearts. Classical dance makes us rejoice and cry, exult and empathize.

The cradle of classical dance is considered to be Renaissance Italy. Originally, ballet was a type of ceremonial performances that were staged at times of celebration for the aristocracy. Solemn ceremonies, in which dancing was given an important and honorable place, became a common phenomenon in Milan, and even the Vatican staged performances with dancing.

THE HISTORY OF BALET
It was then that Domenico de Piacenza coined the new word “ballet”. It came from the Italian “balletto,” which means to dance. The fashion for ballet spread very quickly and rapidly. It gained enormous popularity in neighboring France, and the development of ballet took place there. Catherine de Medici elevated ballet to the rank of matters of national importance. Another French monarch, Louis XIII, composed music for his productions of the famous Marlezonian Ballet, and Cardinal Richelieu staged ballets himself and even danced in them. But the true golden age of ballet art was the reign of the “king-sun” Louis XIV, who himself danced ballet for twenty years. During the reign of Louis XIV, in 1661, the first ballet school in the world was created in Paris – the basis of classical dance. It is now the famous choreographic school of the Grand Opera.

At first, ballets were staged at home by aristocrats. The dancers were serfs, but soon professional ballet troupes began to form. If you look at the history of the formation of modern ballet, the dancers were at the origins of the creation and prosperity of ballet companies around the world.

Today, ballet has not lost its popularity; on the contrary, it is evolving and keeping up with the times.

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Modern and folk dances https://www.richardalstondance.com/modern-and-folk-dances/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:47:00 +0000 https://www.richardalstondance.com/?p=25 Dance has been an integral part of all folk festivals. We cannot imagine real fun without dancing. The energy of joy, apparently, is a special energy

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Dance has been an integral part of all folk festivals. We cannot imagine real fun without dancing. The energy of joy, apparently, is a special energy, because it inevitably spills out, pours out in movement. Each people, each nationality has its own special set of movements, its own rhythm, its own very special plastics. This was fixed and proved to be as enduring as the national costume, the national character. Different epochs, changes in the way of life, social and cultural relations were reflected in the dance. Fashion affected the development of dancing. Folk dances evolved in every nation, and like national dress and architecture they had their unique features. Every nation had dances with different moods and purposes. Folk dances, which previously were an essential part of folk festivities, reached our days.

Ballroom dancing
When dances moved from squares to the halls of palaces, they became an expression of life in the upper classes. It was said of the favourite in the 18th century minuet: “He who dances the minuet well does well in everything he undertakes, and may undertake everything.

The elegance of manners, the nobility of posture, and the refined deference required in the minuet were the essential qualities of a courtier.
At that time ballet appeared at court, which very soon became a favorite entertainment of kings. It is known that Henry IV and his minister Sully danced in a ballet composed by the king’s sister; Louis XIV loved to take part in the ballet.

In the XX-XXI centuries a lot of new dance styles appeared – swing, hustle, break-dance, contemporaries, etc. Ballroom and historic dances also evolved. Modern dances are usually divided into three large groups:

-stage;
-competitive;
-environmental; -competitive; -entertainment.

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