Latin and Ballroom Dancing

I choose to write about this because I have done this type of dancing for 6 years and I have partaken in many competition all around Ireland against people from all across the world. Latin and Ballroom is dancing danced with a partner and has been around since the 16th century. Latin dancing consists of 5 dances: Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive and Paso Doble. All latin dancing is very upbeat and fast except for the Rumba, which is slow. Latin dancing is my favourite because of the cheorography and technique that comes with it is difficult to learn but i love the challenge. Ballroom dancing consists of the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Quickstep. Ballroom dancing is often danced to classical music but some dances such as the Quickstep can be danced to modern music aswell with the correct beat. To partake in Latin and Ballroom competitons, you are required to wear a Latin dress and a Ballroom dress. These dresses can be very expensive due to the rhinestones on them. Hair and make up have to be done aswell. 

 Latin Dancers

Ballroom Dancers

Ballet

I used to do ballet when I was younger but I quit after two years which I now regret! Ballet is a type of preformance dance that orginiated during the Itialian Renaissance in the 15th century . The first ballet school was opened in 1661, the first ballet school was opened Louis XIV. Suprisingly, only men were allowed to dance ballet until 1681 when finally women were allowed join! The most commonly danced ballet is classical. Classical ballet is often danced on point. Here are a couple of classical ballet rules: 
1: A step called a 'plié' is often used and is where both legs are bent at the same time.

A Ballet Dancer

2: Everything should be completely turned out i.e feet
3: When legs are not bent they should be completely straight or put behind in a semi classical position. 

Point Ballet Shoes

Hip hop & Break Dancing

A street preformer

Hip hop is a form of dancing that originated from Latino and African-American communities in America, such as the Bronx, in the 1970's. Hip hop quickly spread from East Coast America to all around the world. People would dance hip hop to a new sort of music called rap and beatboxing, music made vocally. Another sort of dancing similar to hip hop is breakdancing. Breakdancing was created in the 1980's as a part of hip hop culture. People who breakdance are called "B-Boys", "B-girls" or breakers. They participate in "battles", a type of competition, solo against another B-boy/girl or as part of a crew. Breakdancing can sometimes be looked down upon by hip hop dancers as they believe that breakdancing has been learnt for personal use instead of commiting to hip hop. Hip hop dancing and breakdancing is so popular in America that a tv series called "America's Best Dance Crew". In this show, dance crews battle against other dance crews to win the title "America's Best Dance Crew".


Contestants in Americas Next Dance Crew

A Hip Hop Group Preforming (video from youtube)

Irish Dancing

Irish dancing is a type of traditional group dance that was created in Ireland hundreds of years ago and has been practised ever since in countries all over the world. Irish dancing can be used as a type of social dance , called a céilí. Céilís can be preformed with as little as two people and up to 16 people. They involve couples dancing together in a line or circle to traditional Irish music. Céilís are often preformed in Gaeltacht communities as a way of bonding and getting to meet new people. They are also preformed in Irish colleges across the country.                 

Ghillies

           Irish dancing competitions are held all over the world. Young people in particular compete in them along with they're class mates. Costumes are worn at competitions. Irish dancing shoes, called ghillies are worn along with an Irish Dancing dress and knee-high white socks.



A typical Irish Dancing dress



                                                                                                

Introduction

Hi, my name is Sophie and I'll be writing my blog on The Geography Of Dancing. I chose to write my blog on this subject because I thought it would be interesting to look at all the different types of dancing that exists in different countries and also because I do Latin and Ballroom dancing and I really enjoy it, so I want to find out about what other types of dancing there is to offer from around the world. I hope you enjoy my blog!