Dance In American Culture

Dance, like any other art form, is constantly evolving. Its roots are planted in every place in the world. America can thank several countries for creating what the dance industry is today. Since America is a melting pot, it has blended movements from all over the world. This country accepts all cultures and invites new art. Textbooks do not expand on the importance of dance, but it not only played a role in early American society, but todays as well.
Dance has been a continuing art form in American culture. In the early 18th century, colonial dance was popular. Dance gatherings back then is what social media is now. Citizens would anticipate these parties because it is where they could meet new people, mostly for marriage purposes. People

The English colonists brought the dance to America and it was later published by Sir Roger de Coverley. It comes from a pre-Christian Irish dance called the Rincce Fadha. Couples come together in a long ways formation while the fiddler plays. Partners closest to the fiddler are the head partners and partners on the opposite end are the foot partners. Partners walk four steps toward each other and bow on the fourth step and take four steps back into place. Partners then walk forward again and grab the right are and swing clockwise and return to places and repeat on the left. Then partners pass right shoulders and take a step to the right and pass left shoulders going backwards. The head partners do eight slides to the foot partners then eight slides back. The head partners then do right elbow swings down the line with each partner. After getting to the end of the line, they slide back to the head. Typically called “Peel the Banana” head partners face front and the rest face a head partner in a single file line. The head partners turn to the left and walk towards the foot of the line while the rest follow. When they get to the foot they face each other and form the “Arch” by holding hands up together. Every partner takes turns going underneath the arch. The dance ends when each partner has a chance to be a head

Now it is a modern twist on a southern tradition. Now it is a program, according to the National League of Junior Cotillions, that helps juniors learn everyday manners, formal manners, character education, electronic etiquette, “netiquette”, and dance. Everyday manners education consist of learning first impressions, introductions, greeting and shaking hands, paying and receiving compliments, telephone manners, family dining, table manners, and polite conversation. Formal manners consist of learning formal dining, party courtesies, hosting a party, receiving lines, eating unusual foods, and instructional dinners. Character education is learning honesty, integrity, promise keeping, fidelity, caring, respect, citizenship, excellence, accountability, and handling peer pressure. Electronic etiquette, which was nonexistent in the 18th century, is learning cell phone courtesies, phones and digital manners at home, and parents’ guide to electronic safety. Todays “Netiquette” teaches how to use the web, emails, and instant messaging; responsibility, ethicality, and consideration. Learning dance is similar how it was in previous centuries. They learn music appreciation, teamwork, timing, coordination, basic dance courtesies, and current popular line