Grade 8 and 9 Dance Studies: Social, Performance, and Street Dance Foundations
Distinction Between Social and Performance Dance
Most cultures throughout the world possess dances that are performed socially. These social dances are typically performed by people at social events primarily for their own personal pleasure. A significant characteristic of social dance is the wide variety of music that can be used to accompany the movements. Dancers within this context often have a degree of choice and autonomy in how they execute steps; they may choose to improvise the majority of their movements or utilize steps they have previously learned. Social dance is accessible, as anyone can become a proficient social dancer, and the majority of participants do not necessarily pursue dance as a professional career.
Social events are defined as informal occasions where people gather for the purpose of socializing. In these settings, couples and small groups usually form spontaneously. These gatherings frequently involve the playing of music, dancing, and the sharing of food and beverages.
Performance dance, also referred to in English as "performance dance," concert dance, or theater dance, arises when dancers transition from dancing for personal pleasure to dancing for the pleasure of an audience. This distinction is foundational to the study of formal dance disciplines. Performance dance is characterized by specific traits: it is usually staged in a theater or on a platform, though any location is viable as long as an audience is present. Unlike the spontaneity of social dance, performances are generally choreographed in advance and then taught to the dancers. The music is selected with specificity, and the choreography is meticulously developed, timed, and rehearsed to align with that music.
A critical component of performance dance is the rehearsal, or "repetisie." This is the process where dancers convene to practice their steps and choreography. A high-quality dance performance is defined by thorough preparation, during which dancers rehearse regularly and with specific purpose. The primary objective is to achieve a performance that is as flawless as possible, shifting the focus toward the effect the dance has on the spectators.
Professional vs. Amateur Dance Classifications
Dancers engaged in performance dance are categorized as either professional or amateur. Professional dancers are individuals who earn money or make a living from performance dance. They typically work within a professional dance company or on a freelance basis as performing artists. These individuals undergo extremely intensive vocational training and must succeed in highly competitive auditions to secure employment.
Amateur dancers are those who pursue a career outside of the dance industry but continue to practice dance because they enjoy performing or participating in large-scale competitions. While they engage in performance dance, they do not make a living from it.
Core Dance Disciplines in South Africa
The primary dance disciplines recognized in South Africa include a variety of styles, categorized by whether they are performance-oriented, social, or both:
Classical Ballet: Performance.
Contemporary Dance (American "Modern Dance"): Performance.
Spanish Dance: Both Performance and Social.
African Dance: Both Performance and Social.
Jazz Dance: Performance.
Tap Dance: Performance.
Hip-Hop Dance: Both Performance and Social.
Irish Dance: Both Performance and Social.
Ballroom and Latin-American Dance: Both Performance and Social.
Characteristics of a High-Quality Dance Performance
A successful and high-quality dance performance is defined by several key factors:
Technical Skill: The dancers must demonstrate strong technical proficiency in the specific dance style being performed.
Energy: There must be visible energy in every movement executed.
Precision and Purpose: Even in choreography that is slow or involves "stillness," the movements must be performed with exactness and intent.
Visual Presentation: Dancers must maintain a neat appearance that aligns with the theme of the piece. This includes careful attention to costumes and the surrounding décor.
Polishing and Timing: The performance must be well-rounded, and dancers must remain in sync with one another. All group choreography must be performed "cleanly," meaning on the exact same counts and beats.
Facial Expression and Eye Contact: The dancers' faces and eyes are integral to the performance, serving to communicate with the audience, provided the specific work allows for it.
Acting and Confidence: Successful performance dancers often act as well, performing their roles with self-assurance and confidence.
The Evolution and Characteristics of Street Dance
The term "Street Dance" is an umbrella term that does not refer to a single dance but rather to a collective of styles from around the world that developed outside of traditional dance studio environments. These styles were typically created by people "on the street" in everyday locations such as parties, parks, school grounds, and clubs. Many original street dance styles that emerged from the , such as Salsa and Hip-Hop, were developed by Latin-American and African-American communities who, at the time, were or felt excluded from mainstream dance studios due to racial barriers.
Street dance relies heavily on improvisation, allowing dancers to develop their own styles and personal steps. It is inherently social, encouraging interaction and contact between dancers in a group and with the audience. Street dance has been significantly influenced by U.S. Hip-Hop culture, particularly the styles of "B-boying" (breaking) and the funk-infused "Popping and Locking." These two styles are foundational to Hip-Hop and are the most popular forms used in commercial media, such as music videos and the choreography of Broadway and West-End musicals in New York and London (e.g., The Lion King, Wicked, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
The "B-boying" style contributed to the development of the "street dance crew" culture, where groups of friends create and practice their own routines to compete against other crews. Street dance serves as a "dance language" for its specific geographical area and forms part of the social culture for people of all ages.
Geographical variations of Street Dance include:
North America: Hip-Hop is the most common style.
Cuba and South America: Merengue and Salsa are dominant.
Brazil: Samba is the primary street style.
Argentina: Argentine Tango is considered a form of street dance.
South Africa: Authentic forms like Pantsula and Kwaito are identified as African Street Dances because they developed on street corners and playgrounds outside of formal studios.
Hip-Hop Culture and Technical Dance Characteristics
Hip-Hop culture is built upon four general elements or art forms: I. DJing (Music and DJ Techniques). II. Graffiti (Visual Arts). III. B-boying (Breaking/Breakdancing). IV. MCing (Rap, Poetry, and Song).
From a technical perspective, Hip-Hop dance is characterized by specific physical attributes:
Movement and Flexibility: Exceptional mobility and suppleness.
Isolation: The ability to move specific body parts independently from the rest of the body.
Groundedness: A distinct "grounded" feeling throughout the dance.
Heavy Dynamics: A heavy dynamic, particularly in the way the chest is utilized during movement.
Rhythmic Alternation: Dancers easily switch between movements that follow the beat of the music and those that move "through" the music.
Musicality: Exceptional musicality is vital; both dancers and audiences value how closely the movements align with the music.
Freestyle: Improvisation is a core value, allowing dancers to add their own style or invent steps spontaneously during a dance.
The Concept of Dance Fusion
Dance fusion ("dansfusie") occurs when two or more styles meet and are blended during a performance. This happens when recognizable elements of one specific dance style are mixed with those of another. For example, a choreographer might combine African dance with Classical Ballet or Jazz with Latin-American dance to create unique and interesting new choreography.
Historical Development and Techniques of Classical Ballet
Classical Ballet is a complex dance form that originated from the court ballets of century Italy. However, it gained immense popularity in century France during the reign of King Louis XIV. Known as the "Sun King" because he adopted the sun as his personal symbol, Louis XIV was a devoted dancer who choreographed works for the royal court and often performed the lead roles himself. He founded the first-ever ballet school, the Paris Opera Ballet School.
Historical technical features of Ballet include:
Posture: Due to the richly decorated, heavy costumes and headpieces worn during the early eras, a very straight posture with the head held high and proud became standard.
Footwork: Highly intricate footwork was developed, and these movements are still practiced today using their original French names.
Turn-out: Dancers work in a "turned-out" position, meaning the legs are rotated outward from the hips to allow for faster and easier movement.
Aesthetics: The style is characterized by lightness, elegance, and absolute control. Dancers strive to hide the immense effort required, making all movements appear easy and carefree.
Modern developments in Ballet include the shift from natural materials like cotton, silk, and linen to synthetic materials that stretch, allowing for greater freedom of movement. Contemporary classical dancers execute incredibly precise leg and foot movements, high extensions, and large, controlled jumps and pirouettes (turns on one leg).
In the century, women began dancing on the tips of their toes, known as "en pointe." This enhanced the sense of lightness. While pointe shoes have evolved and hardened over the years to protect the feet, injuries and "bloody feet" remain a traditional and ongoing reality of this work. Male dancers typically perform on "demi-pointe."
Structural Components of a Ballet Class
A classical dancer typically begins every day with a ballet class, which follows a specific sequence:
The Barre: The class begins at the barre, where foundational exercises are performed.
The Center: Dancers move to the middle of the floor to practice more athletic work, including jumps and turns.
Reverence: The class concludes with a bow or "reverence" to the teacher, which is a traditional sign of respect.
Essential Components of a Dance Warm-Up
A proper warm-up is essential for dancers to prepare the body and prevent injury. It consists of three main stages:
Cardiovascular Exercise: Aimed at increasing the heart rate, quickening the breathing, and inducing a light sweat (e.g., jogging or cycling). This pumps blood faster through the body, warming it up and transporting oxygenated blood to the muscle groups.
Joint Mobility (Circles): This involves starting with small circles and gradually making them larger in all joints where bones meet. This action loosens ligaments and muscles and stimulates the release of synovial fluid to lubricate the joints and improve mobility.
Light Stretching: Stretching should always be done with good form to ensure effectiveness and reduce injury risk. A stretch should be held for at least . Dancers must never bounce while stretching; the position should be held still while breathing deeply.
Terminology and Definitions
Technique ("Tegniek"): The mechanical skills or methods used by an artist to perform their work.
Choreography ("Choreografie"): The act of creating dances by arranging steps and movements together.
Rehearsal ("Repetisie/Rehearsal"): When dancers assemble to practice their steps and choreography.
Professional Dancers: Dancers who earn money or a livelihood from performance dance.
Amateur Dancers: Dancers who engage in performance dance but do not make a living from it.
Social Events: Informal gatherings for socializing where music, dancing, and food are often shared.