Argentina Dances

Argentina Dances

Dancing in Argentina plays a great part in Argentina's culture. Such dance as tango is surely familiar to anyone in any part of the world. But tango is not the only dance in Argentina.

Hawaiian Hula Dance History

Hawaiian Hula Dance History

The Hula dance is associated with Hawaii and luaus and while everyone knows what the hula is very few people are actually knowledgeable of its origin. 


According to Hawaiian history there is no information available as to who performed the first hula dance or why, however it is a common agreement that the original hula dance was performed by a god or goddess, making the dance sacred to Hawaiians.


And this dance is sacred to men and women in Hawaii because the hula was danced by both sexes despite some information stating only men danced the hula. This information is incorrect and actually men and women both were involved in the sacred hula dance.

Ethiopian Traditional Music And Culture

Ethiopian Traditional Music and Dances Culture

The Beta troupe performing 
an original contemporary dance 
based on the culture of Ethiopian Jewhy

Ethiopia has a very rich and diverse music history. The various tribes and ethnic groups of Ethiopia have their own distinct music culture and tradition.

The Tigrayans to the north have this smooth, circular dance routine culminated with shoulder and neck movement. The Amharas at the center have dance style dominated by upper body and neck movement.

“Move your neck according to the music.”

~ Ethiopian Proverb  

The Oromos to the center and south have this jumping style and full body dance routine. The Gurages have an acrobatic dance that requires high level of arm, leg and body coordination.

African Dances: An Introduction

African Dances: An Introduction

African dances have both historic and social traditions that reflect more significance than those of many other cultures. 


The dances help celebrate not only special events and festivals, similar to other cultures, but regularly tell the stories of the state's history. 


Unwritten oral history, passed through generation before writing became part of the culture, frequently included African dance as a part of the process. 


Lots of the dances taught the young about social morays and values, others were simply for the excitement of celebration. Some of the dances were tributes of thanks to the gods for helping the clan achieve success on a hunt or crop. 


Many clans trained singers to provide the music for the African dance. They produced intricate harmonies and set the rhythmic pace for the dance. While most of the music came from vocals, frequently drums went with the singers to provide heavy rhythms for the dancers. The bougaragou, on of the drums used, is obviously the hottest, although there are lots of others.

Native American Dance Stick

Native American Dance Stick Traditions

Native American dance sticks allow the user to become more involved in the ceremony. The dance stick helps the dancer to focus their thoughts and energy to help make the dance a success. 

Dance is a way the Indians use to communicate a myriad of things. 

Some dances are for healing, while others may be strictly for celebration. Dance sticks add a visual as well as a spiritual meaning to any ceremony, and are treasured tribal items.

Nearly every Native American tribe made dance sticks. Not only were the sticks made and decorated for each tribe, but dance sticks were made for specific purposes. Dance sticks are generally made of a length of wood with a section of antler on one or both ends.

Khmer Traditional Music And Dance

Khmer Traditional Music And Dance

At age 78, Em Theay designated Master of Performing Arts
by the Ministry of Culture, continues to train young Cambodians 
in the art of Khmer Royal Dance 

The Khmer empire which is better known today as Cambodia was one of the biggest and long lasting Empires of South East Asia. However in recent centuries, this famous empire has been limited to a small territory following the rule of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.


This empire has gifted many valuable cultural and political aspects to the world.

Mapouka: A Traditional Dance

Mapouka: Traditional African Dance

Mapouka is also known as Macouka. It is a traditional dance from south-east of Ivory Coast in Dabon. From its inception, Mapouka was usually being carried out when some religious ceremonies were being conducted and grandly organized.

Chinese Dance History

Chinese Dance History

Chinese dance dates back nearly 5,000 years. As in many cultures around the world, early Chinese dances were a religious expression and closely linked to life experiences and concerns.


The Chinese dances can be divided into:

1. Ceremonial for praying to the gods for bountiful harvests,
2. Martial for showing fighting techniques,
3. Dramaticfor noting historical events
4. Agricultural for celebrating nature and work

Odissi Dance Glory

Odissi Dance Glory

Odissi is one of the oldest classical dance forms originating from the state of Orissa in India. With its original performance in the court of emperor Kharvela, the dance was later performed in the temples of Orissa. 


It was well performed in Jain and Buddhist monasteries as well. This fantastic form of dance lost its glory after the decline of feudal rulers in 1930s and 40s. Though there are few practitioners of this dance form present, it continues to be one of the popular and unique dance forms.

Belly Dance Through Time

Uniquely designed for the 
female body, with an emphasis on 
abdominal muscles, 
hip and chest moves.

A  celebration
 of the female spirit 
and a physical display 
of the strength 
and beauty of women

For generations, the fascinating powers of Belly Dance charmed travelers, pilgrims, kings. 


In the early days, this dance was performed by women in the Middle East and North Africa, with mystical and ritualistic character. 


About these days we can only guess, because the material on the subject is scarce.  


Unlike other dances such as Flamenco, Tango, Forro, Charleston or Ballet, this ancient dance does not have an official name. 

Samba Music Culture

Samba Music Culture

Cultural group, OLODUM founded by percussionist Neguinho do Samba,
based in the Afro Brazilian community of Salvador,
the capital city of the state of Bahia

Cavaquinho, 
small string instrument
with four wire or gut strings

Samba music is very heterogeneous and it is intricate to define. It is the result of a long simmering mix of heritage from the Portuguese songs, African rhythms, and the fast paced Indian ceremony meeting global influences.


In the beginning it was played only with drums and other bass beat instruments, but later the acoustic guitar and the small Brazilian guitar cavaquinho was added.

"Does rhythm have memory?
Can it travel through time and make the old forever new

~ Susana Baca

Tango, A Short History

Tango, A Short History

The tango practice nowadays in the most popular and greatest dance venues as a form of ballroom dancing originated in Latin America.

It is believed to have evolved in the dance halls and brothels of working class districts in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Other scholars believe that the tango arose from cross-cultural influences in the Rio de la Plata region, which compromises parts of modern day Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Calypso - A Caribbean Original

Calypso

The Trini-style Carnival and Caribbean festival,'CARICABELA' Los Angeles Carnival 
is a non-stop street party, ablaze with color, music, movement and pageantry! 

When people think of the word "Caribbean," a number of images come to mind: tropical scenes with palm trees and calm, blue waters being perhaps the most notable.

But when it comes to the evening time with dinner and dancing however, nothing invokes images of the Caribbean more than Calypso music.

Tango Dancing Boots Your Mood Research Shows

Tango Dancing Boots Your Mood Research Shows

You want to be happy. Want to have your mood changed and need a dose of neurotransmitters? What you need now is not therapy, but dance class. At at dance studio you can get introduced to some of the most famous dances the world has known. Tango is an excellent dance on the menu. 

Got Rhythm: The Music Of Latin America

Music of Latin America influences

Latin American music has influenced much of what you hear on popular music radio stations, and has entered into almost every branch of the entertainment industry, videos, television, films, even advertisements.


The "Latin beat" has taken the world by storm more than once and it remains a constant in rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and reggae. You'll hear it in the clubs, and you'll definitely hear it once you listen to your travel agent and book one of those Caribbean cruise deals.