Out of curiosity, how many dancers here study (or have studied) a dance form that they have no cultural connection to? I'm a girl whose entire family is from Western Europe, and I've been taking Bhahratanatyam (a type of classical Indian dance) for almost 2 years now. I find it fascinating and love it, even though I'm not Indian. What about the rest of you? How did you get interested in your type of dance? What were your experiences when you expressed an interest in learning the dance?
2006-09-21 12:03:24 · 13 answers · asked by cer798 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
I've done so many types of dancing form all over the world. I am from Eastern Europe but I live in the States now. So, here I learned American square dance and line dance and Appalachian clogging. I'm also on an international folk dance team at my university and I've taken Irish dance and Spanish dance (hota, sevillana and flamenco). I've also learned Ukrainian. Bulgarian, Russian, Armenian, German, Italian, English, Hungarian, Mexican, Japanese, Scottish, Greek, Israeli, Indian (Bhangra and a tiny bit of Bhahratanatyam) and Macedonian dances and I've also performed some of these. So, it's not that I learned the technique but I also learned the styling of each country and the traditions and customs behind the dance.
Why I'm doing it? Because I absolutely love it. It's fun, hard, rewarding and social. I have tons of friends because of folk dance. I started approximately a year ago after going to tryouts for my university's ensemble and not making it to a team. Since then I haven't stopped dancing. I learned a lot and I enjoy it more every day even when it's hard. I dance a few hours every day and I love it. It keeps me in shape and helps me to feel optimistic and that I have a great life. It even helps me with my school work because it motivates me to do my homework so I can have time to practice the dances. :) I'm so glad that you enjoy folk dances too. Have fun!
2006-09-21 16:45:47 · answer #1 · answered by Dally J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several forms of Hula. Most Islands had slight variations to each movement, but there are four basic steps. Search Google under the topic Kumu Hula, which is a master hula teacher. You will find several with websites. There was historically a hula for almost everything. To celebrate marriage, to honor the wind, to go off to war, etc. Men and Women both dance Hula. Another thing you might want to check out is the Annual Merrie Monarch Festival. It is the largest Hula competition in the world and is held in Hilo on the Big Island. You can find most of the years on video or DVD. Hope this helps
2016-03-27 01:24:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello fellow dancer. I Irish Step dance, and teach it, too. I got started when I was 5 and saw Riverdance. The first steps I learned were from watching that in slow-motion!!! Ever since then I've been hooked. I don't like to dance, I HAVE to dance! It makes me feel light and powerful at the same time-- I am most happy when I'm dancing. :)
2006-09-23 14:47:18 · answer #3 · answered by Sligo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dance flamenco but I'm not Spanish.
Funnily enough, more than half the flamenco teachers in my city are not Spanish. All the schools have dance troupes, and it's noticeable that the schools run by native Spanish teachers get a lot more work than the ones run by non-Spaniards. So if I wanted to go professional, I would strike some prejudice in the flamenco community.
2006-09-21 16:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by Kylie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm from the Caribbean and find that when I do actually learn of another dance form, its best taught from someone who is actually from there and explains not only the technical form of the dance but its meaning.
Oh God, don't you just love dancing!
2006-09-21 13:30:01 · answer #5 · answered by Jehan J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dance Latin which you can consider "foreign" to a person of European origin. However, I dance ballroom version of it, which was developed in England, which makes it a lot less foreign.
It is very typical that all sorts of people learn ballroom, so I didn't have any unsual experiences when I expressed interest in it.
2006-09-21 12:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i did do a history day project on cultural dances of native americans once and that was very interesting. i didn't actually do them myself but i learned a lot about them and i think its fascinating 2 learn about dance, especially types u have no clue about or didn't even kow existed! :o)
2006-09-22 10:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by cheercheer31 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I dance Salsa and Latin, if that counts, and I do Greek dancing and Greek Belly dancing. Hey I could go as far to say ballet is foreign, since it is from France. I dance ballet too.
2006-09-21 13:09:30 · answer #8 · answered by Norah 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i can dance indian songs like the movies even do i am not indian and i did not take class and i just like to do it i do it for past-time
2006-09-21 12:23:39 · answer #9 · answered by swt_cotton_candy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can belly dance
2006-09-21 12:11:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋