*you can try this at home. make up a simple foot movement with a group of friends or family and dance in a cirlce repeating the movement! Click below and dance to this sardana song!
Here are the dance steps we made up in class:
1. Right foot tap forward 2 times
2. Right foot tap backwards 2 times
3. Right foot tap forward 1 time
4. Right foot cross over left and tap once
5. Feet together
6. SWITCH AND REPEAT WITH LEFT FOOT
7. Take 4 steps to the right
8. Repeat entire dance
Bolero: A fast and spirited dance, the bolero - featuring unexpected pauses and sharp turns - is one of the oldest and most traditional Spanish dances.
The Bolero is also a piece of music composed by French composer, Maurice Ravel which premiered in a ballet in 1928.
Potpourri!
This week we will be finishing up our hispanic heritage unit with a mixture of countries, music and dance. Check 'em out below!
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
MERENGUE DANCING: The merengue actually was created by slave worked in the sugar beet fields who were chained together. In the past, it has been performed on the guitar and accordion, but nowadays it is danced in night clubs with energetic high paced music
BACHATA: Romantic style of dancing that has a very basic and repetitive movement pattern.
CUBA:
Mambo: Invented in the 1930's by native Cuban musician and composer Arsenio Rodriguez
Fast paced rhythms, use of the brass section and piano are used in addition to the large percussion section.
Chachacha: It's rhythms sound just like it's name - "1, 2, cha cha cha".
ARGENTINA:
Tango: A partner dance that originated in the late 1880's along the River Plate. the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay.
Sardana Dance: Traditional Circle dance in large groups. Often performed to classical/orchestral music.