Released on = December 8, 2006, 11:37 am

Press Release Author = Dance to Health

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = A brief survey of popular dance in the 20th Century

Press Release Body = POPULAR DANCE IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY



Popular dance in the twentieth century clearly mirrors the vast changes in moral,
material values and attitudes.

Ragtime rooted in Black American music emerged in the late 1890s.

The 20s represent the Jazz Age. The Lindy Hop got its name from the American aviator
Charles Lindburgh\'s 1927 solo flight or \"hop\" across the Atlantic. This dance
originated in the New York area of Harlem. Later the Lindy Hop developed into the
jitterbug and was introduced into Europe by the GI\'s in the 1940s.

The most popular dance of the 1920s was the Charleston. This could be a solo, a
partner or a group dance. Characteristically knees and toes were turned in and there
was much movement of the hands and arms. The dance originated in Charleston, South
Carolina and was originally a Black Folk dance.

The 1930s saw the return of the Foxtrot with its fast trotting movements.

At the 1939 World Fair in U.S.A a Brazilian orchestra played sambas. This aroused
enormous enthusiasm for South American dances such as the rumba, mambo and
chachacha.

The 1950s were a time of teenage rebellion. The period coincided with the turmoil of
the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War (1959-1975). .

In the 1960s the Twist appeared. It could be danced solo without contact with a
partner. The Twist was performed with swinging hips and upper body.

Other dances of the time were the Funky Chicken and the Mashed Potato.

Soul becomes the hit of the discotheques and \"Swinging London\" is the disco capital
of Europe.

1970 is the era of Rock. Rock differs from Rock \'n Roll in that it usually relied on
heavily amplified electronic instruments. Rock quickly became divided into various
categories from Heavy Metal to Punk.


In the 60s and 70s country dancing benefited from a more widespread folk revival.

Between 1970 and the 1980s couple dancing returned with the Hustle and other
dances with complicated choreography performed to disco music.

Nostalgia was in the air. The Big Band Sound was revived with fox-trots, waltzes
and jitterbugs. Rap music was all the rage in the 1980s with it came \"Break
Dancing\". This acrobatic solo dancing began among urban Black youths in the U.S.A.


In the 1980s Ceroc and Le Roc both French versions of the Jive enjoyed great
popularity.

The 1990s introduced the Lambada from Brazil and Salsa from Cuba. Clubbing took
over in this era with DJs mixing their own music.

Country Line Dancing inspired by square dancing spread to the urban areas. It
involved simple steps with the participants facing each other in lines.

Dance fads come and go with startling rapidity today. Now ballroom dancing is back
in favor.








POPULAR DANCE IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

DESCRIP; Feeling Nostalgic? This is a Trip down the Road of 20th Century Popular
Dance.


HTTP; popular-dance.html



KEYWORDS popular dance,jazz age,foxtrot,rock \'n roll,the Twist,the Hustle, Ceroc,
Le Roc, Clubbing,macarana,line dancing, Mashed Potato,

Web Site = http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com

Contact Details = Dzagbe Cudjoe