Dances from the Past

 Ancient Egypt.  3,300 BCE (First Dancing). It is  Ancient Egypt.  3,300 BCE (First Dancing). It is believed that
believed that the first people to dance were the the first people to dance were the Egyptians. Archaeologists
Egyptians. Archaeologists discovered paintings of discovered paintings of dancing figures in rock shelters and
dancing figures in rock shelters and caves.  As a way caves.  As a way of expressing religious service and teaching
of expressing religious service and teaching ancient ancient myth, three (3) major dancers were evolved: (1) the king;
myth, three (3) major dancers were evolved: (1) the (2) the priests who performed magical dances; (3) virgin dancers
king; (2) the priests who performed magical dances; who were trained to perform during ceremonies led by the
(3) virgin dancers who were trained to perform during priests.
ceremonies led by the priests.

Ancient Greece.  Dance was not just for religious  Ancient Rome.  Gave less importance to dancing which
and military training but also a form of entertainment eventually became an integral part of the corruption in the
and display.  Plato immensely gave importance to latter days of the Roman Empire resulting in the
dance in education as stated in the education on the condemnation of dance by early Christians.  Dance was
Laws. He highlighted the two kinds of dance and primarily performed for religious, social and entertainment.
music: the noble (fin and honorable) and the ignoble However, theatrical entertainment was prohibited but still
(imitating what is mean or ugly). existed and was performed within church during religious
ceremonies.

 1400 (Ballet Comes into Play). Ballet started in this A vast dance movement occurred throughout the
year in Italy, but didn’t really become popular until courts of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries.
around the year 1500. Ballet gained its popularity During these times, new court dances performed by
when a lady of the arts, Catherine de Medici, married the nobility came about as well as the rise of the art
King Henry 11 and threw festivals where they would of ballet in Italy and France.
perform ballet dances. Ballet is believed to be the
main core of every single dance style.

1600 (Masque Dancing). Masque dancing started

A period in the history of dance in Italy, France, and
from elaborate pageants and shows in the 16th
England which was considered to be pleasantly deep
century. Masque dancing involved intricate costuming
and rich. France became the forerunner in dance
and stage designing that also incorporated singing
during this period
and acting as well as dancing. It was often used as a
court entertainmentA period in the history of dance in
Italy, France, and England which was considered to be
pleasantly deep and rich. France became the
forerunner in dance during this period

1800 (Tippity Tappity, Time for Tap). Tap dancing

1800 (Tippity Tappity, Time for Tap). Tap dancing
originated from African tribe dancing. Tap dancing
originated from African tribe dancing. Tap dancing
makes percussion sounds because of dancers most
makes percussion sounds because of dancers most
commonly wearing leather shoes with two pieces of
commonly wearing leather shoes with two pieces of
metal and clip and clap against hard floors. Tap is still
metal and clip and clap against hard floors. Tap is still
very popular to this day.
very popular to this day.

1900 (Jazz and Acro). It involves doing smooth and Described as a period of “dance fever” wherein the
flexible movements, and lots of back bending and young and old alike were not limited to express
tricks. Both styles are widely popular to this day. emotions through dance.

1950 (Contemporary Dance). Contemporary dance is 1970 (Hip Hop Dance). There are many styles of hip
a style that combines jazz, ballet, and modern dance. hop that include breaking, popping, locking, and
It can be many different styles, but most of the time it more. Street dance was performed both in night clubs
is melancholy and or intense. and on the streets. It is associated with funk,
breakdancing, and hip-hop

2018 (Dance Nowadays). Today's dance style

has taken a turn towards more hip hop dances.
Small and popular dances that involve hip hop
and that most everyone can achieve include
the whip and nae nae, Gangnam Style (it’s a
little old), shooting, and more.