Dance in the United States

The dance in the United States has evolved in parallel with the German dance scene, but in a different direction. It originated own styles in the three major areas ( Ballet, Modern Dance, Ballroom Dancing ) of the dance. Likewise, internationally known choreographer, in turn, influence the current international choreographic development established. For example, the American School of Ballet methodology developed (with a different temporal structure of the sequence of the individual exercises a ballet class ) or even the popular social dances such as the Rock ' n' Roll, Lindy Hop or the Square Dance as today are danced in Germany and Europe.

The Jazz Age

Through the African-American slaves in the United States created numerous dances like the Blues, the Cakewalk and Black Bottom.

Based on these roots developed in the heyday of the Jazz a variety of dances. The tap dance, Charleston and Authentic Jazz get still many of these roots in the field of solo dances, while in the couple dances delight the swing dances such as the Lindy Hop, Balboa and Shag again growing in popularity. Also, individual choreography as the Shim Sham or choreographed Big Apple live so on.

Many of those original dances like the Turkey Trot, Texas Tommy, Big Apple, Suzie Q or Breakaway are largely forgotten and usually live only in the form of individual dance figures.

Among these influences were numerous dance greats from the early days of cinema, such as Bill " Bojangles " Robinson, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Dean Collins. In this context, Frankie Manning is awarded to the first Aerial, Whitey's Lindy Hoppers his example, in the film Hellzapoppin ' ( " In hell the devil is going on " ) to see. Dawn Hampton, too, is over the age of 80 years was on international dancers meetings as a guest.

Rock'n'Roll

In the 60s, with the popularity of rock ' n ' roll, created numerous popular dances. Most of them have been forgotten, the most important exception is the twist. Such popular dances there were thousands that were often created only to individual songs. Are known among other Madison from the film and musical Hairspray, or the song " Shake a Tail Feather " from the movie "Blues Brothers", among other things, to the fashion dances "Twist ", " The Monkey ", "The Frug ," "The Chicken "," The Swim "and" Mashed Potato " relation takes.

African American dances

African American dance forms emerged originally in the streets. Even today, there arise new forms of movement and not in the dance schools where they enjoy a high popularity. The movement sequences arise in social interaction with one another; find it today instead of numerous performances and competitions.

The focus is primarily on improvisation. A Charakterikum is that the dances are constantly evolving. In so-called Battles Two dancers compete against each other, and the steps of the enemy be taken up and developed directly. The focus is on self-expression and realization of each dancer, his needs and interests.

Today there are in the African-American style more contemporary dance forms, while of course, at other dance forms to the already existing repertoire.

Alvin Ailey and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre are an important example of this link between the modern dance and African-American dance forms. Hip- Hop, Breakdance, African and jazz dance ( and others) are sections which are also taught separately today.

The film Save the Last Dance draws a good date picture of the scene.

Ballet

During the early 1920s, the American people learned for the first time know the classic ballet by touring European companies. The first American companies were founded in the 1930s, when dancers and choreographers with dance lovers like Lincoln Kirstein ( 1907-1996 ) joined forces. Kirstein invited the Russian choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983) in 1933 for a visit to the USA. Together they founded the School of American Ballet, from the year 1948, the New York City Ballet was born. The ballet Manager and Promotional Representatives Richard Pleasant (1909-1961) founded along with the dancer and responsible Lucia Chase (1907-1986) in 1940, America's second leading ballet organization, the American Ballet Theatre.

Strangely, Americans used as Pleasant Russian classics and clung to take this methodology, while Balanchine for his new American company with current music introduced new classical pieces developed (Stars and Stripes ) and not only the Russian standard repertoire of the past. The San Francisco Ballet Company created exciting new versions and introduced over 10 years as the only complete version of The Nutcracker.

The American ballet scene Robert Joffrey (1930-1988), Eliot Field ( b. 1942 ), Arthur Mitchell ( b. 1934 ) Since then, a combination of reinterpreted classics and neo-classical works, such as Jerome Robbins ( 1918-1998 ), and Mikhail Baryshnikov ( born 1948 ).

Modern Dance

The American modern dance developed in the early 20th century in parallel with the music scene in the United States. Among the founders to find famous names like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, her husband and co-workers as well as their students Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham. Modern dance is more to express feelings. The movements are not light and floating like in the classic, but the contrary represent conflict and gravity dar. The dancer seems to be fighting against gravity. Choreographies can be set, but there are also performances in the field of improvisation. Many of Graham's most famous pieces were developed in collaboration with leading American composers, as for example, " Appalachian Spring " by Aaron Copland.

Later choreographers such as Merce Cunningham also linked different styles; so, for example, Alvin Ailey African American elements and black music. Recently Mark Morris and Liz Lerman have proven that an exciting movement and the movement of wealth not only by age or body shape depend.

American folk dances

The now world famous square dance is not only in 19 U.S. states, state dance (see en: List of U.S. State Dances ), there arose also other typical dances:

• Cajun Jig
• Cajun Jitterbug
• Contra dance
• Cotton - Eyed Joe
• Country / Western Two-step
• Country / western dance
• English Country Dance
• Modern Western square dance
• Square dance
• Troika ( dance )
• Virginia Reel ( dance )
• Whip ( dance )
• Zydeco ( dance )

Well-known dancers

• Bill " Bojangles " Robinson
• Fred Astaire
• Ginger Rogers
• Gene Kelly
• Donald O'Connor
• Gregory Hines
• Michael Jackson
• Janet Jackson
• James Brown

Ballet companies

• Alameda Ballet Academy
• American Ballet
• New York City Ballet
• San Francisco Ballet
• The Mendocino Ballet
• The Sacramento Ballet

Dance companies

• Columbia City Jazz Dance Company
• Rock Steady Crew
• Pacific Northwest Ballet

Swell

• Dance from the United States