Dance

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Dance (disambiguation).

"Dancer" and "Dancing" redirect here. For other uses, see Dancer (disambiguation) and Dancing
(disambiguation).

Dance

Modern dance

Originating culture

various

Originating era

Antiquity

See also: List of basic dance topics

Dance is the art of movement of the body, usually rhythmically and to music, using prescribed
or improvised steps and gestures. "A dance" is any one prescribed sequence of such movements, or
the music to which it is performed, or an event at which it takes place. Dance may also be regarded
as a form of nonverbal communication recognisable in other animals; in bee dances and behaviour
patterns such as mating dances.
[1]

Dance can be categorized and described in various ways. It may be analysed purely by
its choreography, its repertoire of movements, or it may be classified according to its time or place of
origin. Yet study reveals many generic similarities in many different times and places.
An important distinction is to be drawn between theatrical and participatory dance. Nevertheless,
these two categories are not completely separate. Each may borrow from the other. Social dancers
may become professional or competitive dancers, may be watched by millions. Both may also have
special functions; they may be ceremonial dances performed only at one time of year, they may be
intended as an erotic dance, a war dance or a sacred or liturgical dance. Such dances allow
both emotional expression and invocation.
[2]

Martial arts kata are often compared to dances, and sports such as gymnastics, figure
skating and synchronized swimming are generally thought to incorporate dance.