Other Dance Forms
Ukrainian Dance
Ukrainian dancing - Power, grace and agility come to life. Learn more about this dance form through the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association website. The Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association was founded in 1983 to help service the needs of the Ukrainian Dance Community.
Ukrainian dancing - Power, grace and agility come to life. Learn more about this dance form through the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association website. The Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association was founded in 1983 to help service the needs of the Ukrainian Dance Community.
Social Partner Dance
Just holding each other and swaying to the music is nice, but it is fun to add some structured steps to your dancing. For years I enjoyed free style dancing at singles parties. But I was really missing something all those years by not learning structured dancing. There is something really pleasurable about learning new steps and being able to do them together with a partner. The interaction with your partner is what makes it so much fun I think and the opportunity to constantly keep learning something
new. As a follower you are thrilled with being able to do various fancy steps, all the time not knowing exactly what is coming next. As a leader, you have the pleasure that comes from being able to improvise on the spot and sometimes lead your follower to do steps that she didn't even know she knew.
Just holding each other and swaying to the music is nice, but it is fun to add some structured steps to your dancing. For years I enjoyed free style dancing at singles parties. But I was really missing something all those years by not learning structured dancing. There is something really pleasurable about learning new steps and being able to do them together with a partner. The interaction with your partner is what makes it so much fun I think and the opportunity to constantly keep learning something
new. As a follower you are thrilled with being able to do various fancy steps, all the time not knowing exactly what is coming next. As a leader, you have the pleasure that comes from being able to improvise on the spot and sometimes lead your follower to do steps that she didn't even know she knew.
Polka
The Polka was introduced into the ballrooms of France and England in 1843. The Times of London described it as embracing the "intimacy of the waltz combined with the vivacity of the Irish jig". It's hard to imagine a time when the quick little closing half step was a novelty, yet from it, the dance was named. Polka, from the bohemian word pulka, which means half, refers to the little half step or close-step that is characteristic of this dance.
It would be nice to describe the Polka position and be done with it, but there is no such animal. In practicing the basic step which follows, you should try it both in the regular dance or waltz position and also side by side, with your arm around your partner's waist, and her hand on your near shoulder.
The Polka was introduced into the ballrooms of France and England in 1843. The Times of London described it as embracing the "intimacy of the waltz combined with the vivacity of the Irish jig". It's hard to imagine a time when the quick little closing half step was a novelty, yet from it, the dance was named. Polka, from the bohemian word pulka, which means half, refers to the little half step or close-step that is characteristic of this dance.
It would be nice to describe the Polka position and be done with it, but there is no such animal. In practicing the basic step which follows, you should try it both in the regular dance or waltz position and also side by side, with your arm around your partner's waist, and her hand on your near shoulder.
Hambo
The Hambo is one of the most widely performed dances of Sweden and is very popular among folk dancers of many other nationalities as well.
The title of the Hambo is thought to have been derived from a Swedish proper name with the possibility that the dance may have originated in a particular geographical location of that name. However, the term Hambo is used now in much the same sense in which we use the terms Polka and Schottische to designate a type of social or
couple dance. The Hambo is danced in triple time, like a waltz.
The Hambo contains two parts. Because the Hambo step is "tricky" in its timing with partners executing different steps on the turn in the second part, the analysis of the Hambo which follows differs from the form used in the description of most other folk dances. The man's and woman's steps for both parts of the Hambo are analyzed separately with the recommendation that they be practiced and perfected first with each moving forward, then turning as described. These separate analyses fo the entire dance rather than for the Hambo step alone are important for the continuity of movements to insure smooth transitions throughout. They are followed by the description of the Hambo as it is actually danced by one or more couples.
The Hambo is one of the most widely performed dances of Sweden and is very popular among folk dancers of many other nationalities as well.
The title of the Hambo is thought to have been derived from a Swedish proper name with the possibility that the dance may have originated in a particular geographical location of that name. However, the term Hambo is used now in much the same sense in which we use the terms Polka and Schottische to designate a type of social or
couple dance. The Hambo is danced in triple time, like a waltz.
The Hambo contains two parts. Because the Hambo step is "tricky" in its timing with partners executing different steps on the turn in the second part, the analysis of the Hambo which follows differs from the form used in the description of most other folk dances. The man's and woman's steps for both parts of the Hambo are analyzed separately with the recommendation that they be practiced and perfected first with each moving forward, then turning as described. These separate analyses fo the entire dance rather than for the Hambo step alone are important for the continuity of movements to insure smooth transitions throughout. They are followed by the description of the Hambo as it is actually danced by one or more couples.
Dance Lesson Ideas
The following dance/rhythmic lesson ideas may be helpful to those who teach dance and rhythmic movement in your physical education program. Some are original ideas, and others are instructions for dances that have been around for some time.
The following dance/rhythmic lesson ideas may be helpful to those who teach dance and rhythmic movement in your physical education program. Some are original ideas, and others are instructions for dances that have been around for some time.
Dance History
This dance history archive is the place to find the origin and creator of various dance forms. Click on a form of dance
to read about where it all began. This site is dedicated to the dancers of 'West Coast Swing' and its variants. There is much information here on other dances as well, especially in our huge, Free Dance History Archives. Sonny's Dance Instructional Videos, Dance Video's, Dance Music, Dance Posters, Dance Gifts, & DVD's, information on Swing and Hustle dance lessons, and much more for the Swinger and Dancer available here.
Alberta Dance Alliance
You are invited to be transformed by dance! With the smallest movement of their feet, dancers – from professional to recreational – change perceptions. Audience members will begin to see dance differently, recreational dancers will begin to see themselves in a new light, professional dancers will see the effect of their creations. Small actions by artists, audiences and participants effect small increasingly positive outcomes. See it, do it, dance – start a movement.
Animal Walks
Using "Animal Walks" in your PE class can help students increase their balance, flexibility, muscle strength and more! This is also a great way to introduce students to creative movement. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade continue with additional locomotor skills as an extended part of the warm up. This portion of the warm up a more functional warm up, which also serves as a tool to improve essential locomotor skills that are required for future success in physical activity, sports, and leisure activity. I call these movements animal walks, as they bring another element of fun and enjoyment to the students. These animal walks are children's way into strength and conditioning. I do not use all
of them for grades K-2, however, I do use about 10 to 14 in each and every lesson. Third and fourth graders do all the locomotor skills on their list.
This dance history archive is the place to find the origin and creator of various dance forms. Click on a form of dance
to read about where it all began. This site is dedicated to the dancers of 'West Coast Swing' and its variants. There is much information here on other dances as well, especially in our huge, Free Dance History Archives. Sonny's Dance Instructional Videos, Dance Video's, Dance Music, Dance Posters, Dance Gifts, & DVD's, information on Swing and Hustle dance lessons, and much more for the Swinger and Dancer available here.
Alberta Dance Alliance
You are invited to be transformed by dance! With the smallest movement of their feet, dancers – from professional to recreational – change perceptions. Audience members will begin to see dance differently, recreational dancers will begin to see themselves in a new light, professional dancers will see the effect of their creations. Small actions by artists, audiences and participants effect small increasingly positive outcomes. See it, do it, dance – start a movement.
Animal Walks
Using "Animal Walks" in your PE class can help students increase their balance, flexibility, muscle strength and more! This is also a great way to introduce students to creative movement. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade continue with additional locomotor skills as an extended part of the warm up. This portion of the warm up a more functional warm up, which also serves as a tool to improve essential locomotor skills that are required for future success in physical activity, sports, and leisure activity. I call these movements animal walks, as they bring another element of fun and enjoyment to the students. These animal walks are children's way into strength and conditioning. I do not use all
of them for grades K-2, however, I do use about 10 to 14 in each and every lesson. Third and fourth graders do all the locomotor skills on their list.