OCTOBER 2030

CHAPTE
S

R8
DANCE
 Dance
Dance involves a series of bodily movements rhythmically performed and
timed to music. Human beings probably danced even before there was a word
for it because rhythmic bodily movement is instinctive. Dance connects
people, even if unconsciously to the rhythms of nature. Dance springs from a
human desire for personal expression and social connection thus dancing
developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action

Dance is said to be the oldest of the arts. The drama of most countries started
in their dances and the beginnings of music have been traced to the dance.
Throughout the ages, the dancing body has inspired the composer, singer,
sculptor and painter in creating their works of art. For these reasons, dance
has been called the mother
of the arts.
Subject Matter of Dance
1. Abstract motion - is the interrelationships of bodies in motion, often
producing remarkable abstract shapes and patterns. The medium of dance is
the human body whose movements on stage often produce sympathetic
"movements" in the audience.

2. Feeling (emotions) - is shown vividly in the movements and gestures. The

body exhibits less abstractedly in music. Pleasure and pain are normally
portrayed.

3. State of Mind- involves attitudes, tendencies that produce certain feelings

on the appropriate occasions.
DANCE as an ART a Form of
Recreation
Dance is both an art and a form of recreation. As an art, a dance may tell a
story (as normally seen in an interpretative dance), may set a mood or express
an emotion. A ballet dancer's movements can effectively portray the sharp and
sly movement of a wolf or the light and graceful movement of a swan.

As a form of recreation, dancing has long provided fun, relaxation and

companionship. Dancing at a party remains a popular way for people to enjoy
themselves and acquire new acquaintances and friends. Dance likewise
springs from human desire for personal expression and social connection.
 Basic Elements of Dance
Not all body movements can be considered as dances. A movement must have
certain basic elements to be considered as dance

1. Theme - Is an important element of the dance. It is the content or the

main ingredient of the dance. It tells us what a dance is trying to tell or
convey.
2. Design - Is the planned organization or pattern of movement in time and
space.
• Pattern in time - provided by rhythm, groups the unaccented beats of
movements into measures
• Pattern in space - created by floor pattern (the path traced by the dancer’s
travelling feet) and planes (the levels on which one moves).
1. Movement - Is the action of the dancers as they use their bodies to create
organized patterns. Body movement can be divided into steps, facial
DANCE as an ART a Form of
Recreation
5. Music - Plays an important role in the dances to which it is closely related.
It is something melodic and harmonious usually used as an accompaniment.
Music motivates the movements of the dancers. It is generally serves as
background that further captivates the spectators.
6. Costume - Is the clothing worn by a dancer when performing before an
audience. A dance costume may be custom designed for use in a specific
dance work, or it may have a traditional design, such as those used in some
ceremonial and folk dances.
7. Choreography - is the art of designing sequences of movements in which
motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the
design itself. A choreographer is one who creates choreographies by practicing
the art of choreography.
8. Scenery - Refers to the setting or background establishing the place of
Compositional Elements of Dance
The compositional elements of line, form and repetition apply to the human
body in dance in exactly the same manner as they apply to painting and
sculpture. As in all artworks occupying space, dance can create meaning by
using horizontal line to suggest calmness, placidity and serenity, vertical line
to suggest balance, strength and grandeur, diagonal line to suggest dynamic
action or movement and curve line to suggest gracefulness, submission and
humility. Dancers' bodies become like sculptures in motion as they move from
one pose to another, and because dancers move through time, the element of
repetition serves a vital part of how choreographers put dances together and
how we respond to them. Patterns of shapes and movement occur, and through
them, like themes and variations in music, we find structure and meaning in
dance works.
Compositional Elements of Dance
 The Origins of Dance
The earliest history of human dance is a continuing mystery. From the
evidence of illustrated ceramic fragments, some archaeologists have
speculated that dance originated some 5,000 to 9,000. Dance has certainly
been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment
since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations.

1. Dance and Ritual. Since the only requirement for dance is a body in
motion and since all cultures have this basic requirement, dance probably
precedes all other arts. In this sense dance comes first among all the other
arts. Dances of most cultures were originally connected with other
religious or practical acts both often involving magic.
 The Origins of Dance
A. The native Americans have various ritual dances that are ritualistic and
ceremonial in nature. The zuni rain dance purpose is to invoke the rain to
protect the harvest; the war dance of exorcism or healing, performed by
shamans to drive out evil spirit; the dance of invocation, calling on the gods
for help in farming, hunting, the fertility of human beings and animals, and
other tribal concern.
 The Origins of Dance
B. In india dance drama have usually been related, both generally having
religious significance. An elaborate code of movements of the arms and hands
(mudras), expressive use of the face and especially of the eyes, and a sinuous
posturing of the body are important features of Indian classical dancing,
among the best-known examples being kathakali which one of the oldest
theater form in the world
 The Origins of Dance
C. The early dances of japan, probably influenced by ancient chinese forms,
became institutionalized with the establishment of a national school of
dancing in the 14th cent. Soon the dance became associated with the famous
Noh theater play involving music, dance and drama. Secular dances are
performed by the geisha in japan.
 The Origins of Dance
2. The Development of Dance in Europe. In medieval Europe the repeated
outbreaks of dance manila, a form of mass hysteria sometimes caused by
religious frenzy and usually associated with epidemics of bubonic plague, are
reflected in the dance of death (Danse Macabre) a late-medieval allegory of
the universality of death.
 The Origins of Dance
3. Dance in the Americas. The United States initiated the barn dance, Virginia
reel, clog dance, cakewalk, and Paul Jones in the 19th century, the two- step
(c.1890), the turkey trot (one-step, c.1900); and the fox-trot (c.1912). The
popularity of jazz in the early 1920s produced a number of new social dances,
of which the most popular was the charleston.

From South America came the Argentine tango and the Brazilian maxixe and
samba; from Cuba, the rumba, conga, and mambo. Since the 1920s the United
States have seen a wave of dance crazes, among them the Lindy Hop of the
1930s, the boogie woogie and jitterbug of the 1940s, the cha cha and rock 'n'
roll of the 1950s, the twist, frug, and various frenzied discothèque and go-go
dances of the 1960s, the disco dances of the 1970s, and in the 1980s hip-hop,
which was tied to rap music and evolved into an energetic style of street
dancing, called break dancing. Tap dancing and ballroom and adagio dancing
have won wide popularity as entertainment and have been featured frequently
 Three Dance Traditions
Folk Dance. This is a form of dance developed by a group of people that
reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region and
performed to traditional music. Folk dancing originated in the 18th century to
distinguish dance forms of common people from those of the upper classes.
 Three Dance Traditions
Ballet. Ballet dance is a formal and strict type of performance dance. Ballet dance
originated in 16th and 17th century French courts, and was further developed in England,
Italy, and Russia as a concert dance form. Early ballet dance performances were presented
in large chambers with most of the audience seated on tiers on three sides of the dance floor.

Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance, as many other dance genres are
based on ballet. Ballet is based on techniques that have been developed over centuries.
Ballet uses music and dance to tell stories. Ballet dancers have the ability to transport an
audience to another world.

Early ballet dancers were not as highly skilled as they are now, as ballet dance has become a
highly technical form of dance with its very own French vocabulary. Ballet dance is
typically performed to classical music. It is taught in ballet dance schools and studios
around the world, with students ranging in age from toddlers to adults. In order to become
proficient at ballet dance, one must be extremely dedicated to the art and diligent in regard
to practice and rehearsal time. In general, ballet is highly theatrical dance consisting of solo
 Three Dance Traditions

Modern Dance. Modern dance is a dance style that rejects many of the strict
rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on the expression of inner feelings.
Modern dance was created as a rebellion against classical ballet, emphasizing
creativity in choreography and performance. As a form of dance, it is
characterized as natural and free. it does not stick to conventions, and gas
varied styles and movements, usually based on current trends
 Elements of Dance

1. Space. The dancer moves in and through space. Dance movement takes
up space, and a dance is performed in a space.
2. Time. This is the second element of dance. The dancer moves with or
against time. Dance movement takes up time, and a dance is performed in
a prescribed amount of time.
3. Dynamics. It is the third element of dance. It has two main components;
release of energy and weight or force. Dynamics is the interrelationship of
force, the release of energy and time. How these factors are utilized
produces a movement quality.
 Other Types of Dance
1. Jazz. It is a fun dance style that relies heavily on originality and
improvisation. Many jazz dancers mix different styles into their dancing,
incorporating their own expression. Jazz dancing often uses bold,
dramatic body movements, including body isolations and contractions.
 Other Types of Dance
2. Tap. Tap dancing is an exciting form of dance in which dancers wear
special shoes equipped with metal taps. Tap dancers use their feet like drums
to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats.
 Other Types of Dance
3. Hip Hop. Hip-hop is a dance style, usually danced to hip-hop music that
evolved from the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop includes various moves such as
breaking, popping, looking and krumping, and even house dance.
Improvisation and personal interpretation are essential to hip-hop dancing.
 Other Types of Dance
4. Swing. This is a lively dance style in which couples swing, spin and jump
together. Swing dancing is a genera term that means dancing to swing music,
or music that swings How can you tell if a song swings? Swing dancers know
when a song swings because when they hear it, they can’t stand still
 Other Types of Dance
5. Contra Dance. Contra dance is a form of American folk dance in which the
dancers form two parallel lines and perform a sequence of dance movements
with different partners down the length of the line. Contra dances are relaxed
with family-like aimospheres. Dancing is an excellent exercise, and dancers
can set their own pace. Contra dancers are usually friendly, active people with
a love of dance.
 Other Types of Dance
6. Country and Western. This dance includes several dance forms, usually
danced to country-western music. If you've ever been to a country and western
club or tavern, you've probably seen a few cowboy boot-wearing dancers
twirling around the dance floor with big smiles on their faces.
 Other Types of Dance
7. Belly Dance. Belly dance is a unique form of dance characterized by sharp,
rolling movements of the hips and abdomen. Still enthusiasts debate on the
true origins of belly dancing.

Belly dance takes many different forms depending on the country and region,
both in costume and dance style, and new styles have evolved in the West as
its popularity has spread globally. For Middle Eastern country this is called
raqs sharqi.
 Other Types of Dance
8. Flamenco. Flamenco dance is an expressive dance form that mixes percussive
footwork with intricate hand, arm and body movements. Flamenco is a Spanish art
made of three parts: guitar playing (guitara), song (cante) and dance (Baile).
Flamenco originated in the southern regions of Spain, but it's thought to be
influenced by many world cultures, including Latin American, Cuban and Jewish
Traditions. Originally flamenco dancing was not set to music; it was only singing
and clapping of hands called toque de palmas. Some flamenco dancing still follows
ancient traditions, but the use of guitars and other musical instruments has become
more popular in modern flamenco.
 Other Types of Dance
9.Contra dance refers to a group of folk dance styles in which couples dance facing
each other in parallel lines. These dance lines have no standard length, as they are
usually limited only to the length of the dance hall. Contra dance events are family-
friendly gatherings that usually last about 3 hours, consisiting of several individual
contra dances. Music is typically provided by a live band, adding to the relaxed
atmosphere of the informal gathering. Contra dance is unique in that individuals
interact with everyone in the line, not just their own partners. Contra dancing is
therefore considered by most people to be a group activity.
10. Zumba. Is a popular fitness program
inspired by Latin dance. The word Zumba
comes from a Colombian word that means
to move fast and have fun, which is just
how people describe the routine. Using
upbeat Latin music together with
cardiovascular exercise, Zumba is aerobic
dancing that is lots of fun and easy to
learn.
11. Tango. One of the most fascinating
of all dances, the tango is a sensual
ballroom dance that originated in
South America in the early twentieth
century. Tango is usually performed
by a man and a woman, expressing an
element of romance in their
synchronized movements.
12. Philippine Folk Dances. Countries in the world
have their own cultures that are made more
colorful, beautiful and vibrant because of Folk
Dances which are reflections of who they are. In
the east, the Chinese have their symbolic Dragon
Dance, the Japanese have their ancestral dance
Bon Odori. In the west, the American have their
Square Dance. The Philippines will not be left
behind. "The Pearl of the Orient" boasts of a
variety of Filipino Folk Dances.
 Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines.
The Philippines has many popular folk dances
which have evolved and changed as they have
been passed down from generation to
generation. Although a particular dance might
be performed slightly differently from one
region to the next, its remains true to its roots.
Here are some of the most popular dances from
the region.
Tinikling - Dance Movements that imitate the tinikling bird. It is performed
with two bamboo sticks and dancers step in between rhythms of opening

Itik Itik - This Dance basically mimics the steps the way the duck walks, as
well as the way it splashes the water on its back to attract males

Idudu - Came from the Province of Cordillera, Abra. This dance is a celebration
of the family as a building block of Philippine Culture

Dinuyya - a famous Cordillera dance in Ifugao Province. The dance is regularly

staged. There are three kinds of gong instruments such as ordinary gongs, tobob
and hibat

Sayaw sa Bangko - Dancers need good balance as they go through a series of

movements that includes impressive acrobatics

Binasuan - Dancers carefully balance three half-filled galsses of rice wine on

their heads and hands as they gracefully spin and toll on the ground
Pandanggo sa Ilaw - Similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the pandanggo is performed
while balancing three oil lamps

Maglalatik - the dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two
devoted to reconcilling

Kappa Malong-Malong - A Muslim influenced dance from Cotabato. Malong is a

tubular garment and the dance shows how many ways it can be worn

Habanera botolena - It combines Filipino and spanish teps and is popular dance at
weddings

Pantomina - Pantomina mimics the courtship between doves and is often also a
courtship dance between the couples that perform it

Cariñosa - A dance made for flirting, Dancer makes a number of flirtatious movement
as they hide behind fans of handkerchiefs and peek out at one another

Maria Clara - Spanish dance form which named after the main female characters in
Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tanghere
Rigodon de honor - This dance
originated in Spain and is commonly
performed in formal affairs like
inaugural balls

Singkil - Singkil is a dance traditionally

performed by single women to attract the
attention of potential suitors
National
Artist in
Dance
1. Alice Reyes (2013) - Founder, Artistic Director Emeritus
and Rama Hari choreographer and director. Alice Reyes is
the visionary founder of Ballet Philippines under the Cultural
Center of the Philippines who propelled the company into a
national arts institution we can all be proud of. In the
Philippines, she established regular season concerts,
professionalized dance as a career, and played a major role in
the phenomenal development of dance in the country.
2. Ramon Obusan (2006) - A dancer, choreographer, stage
designer and artistic director. He achieved phenomenal
success in Philippine dance and cultural work. He was also
acknowledged as researcher, archivist and documentary
filmmaker who broadened and deepened the Filipino
understanding of his own cultural life and expressions.
3. Lucresia Urtula (1988) - Choreographer, dance
instructor and spent almost four decades in the
discovery and study of Philippine folk and ethnic
dance. She applied her findings to project a new
example of an ethnic dance culture that goes beyond
simple preservation and into creative growth
4 Leonor Orosa Goquingco (1976) - Dubbed the
"Trailblazer of Philippine Theater Dance" and "Dean of
Philippine Performing, Arts Critics," a pioneer Filipino
choreographer in balletic folkloric and Asian styles, has
produced for over 50 years highly original, first-of- a-
kind choreographies, mostly to her own storylines.
 5. Francisca R. Aquino. Acknowledged as the Folk
Dance Pioneer. This Bulakena began her research on
Folk dances in the 1920's making trips to remote barrios
in Central and Northern Luzon. Her research on the
unrecorded forms of local celebration, ritual and sport
resulted into a 1926 thesis titled" Philippine Folk
Dances and Games," and arranged specifically for use
by teachers and playground instructors in public and
private schools