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Historical dance

Historical dances are dances that reenact what was danced in times long past, together with music and costumes.

Usually they are danced as performance, but may well be danced for pleasure in the historical dance clubs and societies.

Contents

Categories of Historical dance


Medieval dance


Renaissance dance

Baroque dance


Court dance


Dance in the Regency era

a.k.a. Federalist, Edwardian or early 19th century.

We've only just finished The French Revolution and women's fashions enjoy a very brief period of sensibility. Clothing tends to be light and unrestrictive, encouraging dances with lots of skipping and jumping, such as


Dance in the mid 19th century

Starting with the great international polka craze of 1844 anyone who was anyone was dancing. Women are in hoop skirts, and turning dances help to keep the skirts out of the way.


Dance in the late 19th century, through 1910 or so

All the same dances that were done in the mid century are still being done in the late century, but by fewer people and with less enthusiasm. Dance masters, in a vain attempt to maintain their place in society and in the economy, invent dances of greater and greater complexity.

The bustle replaces the hoop, which necessitates a few changes in dancing style.

At the same time, Ragtime music begins its infiltration.


Dance in the Ragtime era

Vernon and Irene Castle bring an air of respectability to couple dancing, and spark what was arguably the largest U.S. dance craze ever. By the end of WWI people eshew these as old fashioned.


Dance in the 1920s

It's the roaring twenties, and kids are spoiled. For the first time, there is a class of children who don't have to immediately go to work to support the family. This is an era of highly energetic dances done by the younger generation.


Dance in the 1930s and 1940s

More than ever before, white society is getting its dances from black society. Swing music and swing dancing are what's happening

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Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45