Which is your favorite professional performance dance?

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.”

– Martha Graham

Dancing has always been an intrinsic part of human culture, a form of expression transcending boundaries and languages. Whether you’re into the pointed toes of ballet or the rhythmical taps of tap dance, there’s a style for everyone. In this article, we explore the different professional performance dances that have captured the hearts and feet of Americans.

Before we plunge into this artful universe, remember we’re doing a poll. What’s your favorite professional performance dance? The results will offer us a snapshot of America’s dance pulse!

Ballet: Elegance Embodied

“Ballet is like dreaming on your feet.”

– Anonymous

Why Choose Ballet?

• Historical Roots: Ballet originates in the 16th century Italian Renaissance courts and has since evolved into a highly technical dance form. This makes it one of the oldest styles, offering rich traditions to delve into.
• Technique: From adagio to pirouette, ballet demands a high level of technical skill, showcasing the epitome of human agility and control.
• Storytelling: If you appreciate dance as a narrative form, ballet often offers complex stories told through movements and expressions.

Fun Facts:

• Ballet dancers can go through 2-3 pairs of pointe shoes weekly.
• The Nutcracker is perhaps the most performed ballet in the United States, especially during the holiday season.

Contemporary Dance: The Rule-Breaker

“People sometimes ask me, ‘Why do you dance?’ And I tell them, ‘I dance to live, and I dance to breathe.’ It’s the natural order of things.”

– Paul Taylor

Why Choose Contemporary Dance?

• Freedom of Expression: Contemporary dance offers a break from rigid structures, allowing dancers to express their emotions freely.
• Innovative: This style always evolves, incorporating elements from different dance styles, even martial arts or yoga.
• Social Themes: Contemporary dance often tackles relevant issues, making it both engaging and thought-provoking.

Fun Facts:

• Contemporary dance emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the rigidity of ballet.
• The genre frequently employs a technique called “contact improvisation,” where dancers react to each other’s movements in real time.

Concert Dance: The Grand Spectacle

“Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.”

– Alvin Ailey

Why Choose Concert Dance?

• Variety: Often blending multiple styles, concert dance is like a buffet for dance lovers.
• Big Productions: Think of elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, and captivating light shows.
• Accessibility: Usually performed in large venues, concert dance is often more accessible to the general public than other forms.

Fun Facts:

• The term “concert dance” is used primarily in the United States to describe performances in concert halls.
• It can incorporate various styles like jazz, ethnic, and modern dance.

Modern Dance: The Rebel with a Cause

“The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.”

– Mata Hari

Why Choose Modern Dance?

• Personal Interpretation: Modern dance encourages individual interpretation, making each performance a unique experience.
• Emotion-Driven: It focuses more on emotional expression than technical prowess.
• Breaking Norms: Modern dance challenges societal norms, making it entertaining and enlightening.

Fun Facts:

• Modern dance icons like Isadora Duncan were considered highly controversial in their time.
• Unlike ballet, modern dance often employs the use of everyday clothing and bare feet.

Tap Dance: Rhythm That Speaks

“Tap dance is the dance of creating music.”

– Savion Glover

Why Choose Tap Dance?

• Musicality: If you have an ear for rhythm and beats, tap dance turns the dancer into a percussive instrument.
• Energy: The high-energy performance can be infectious, often leaving audiences tapping their own feet.
• Historical Blend: Tap incorporates Irish and African-American dance forms, providing rich historical context.

Fun Facts:

• Tap dance was an integral part of the Vaudeville era, a form of variety entertainment in the United States.
• Tap shoes are specially made with metal taps on the heel and toe to produce sound.

Wrap-Up

Each dance form has its unique charm, from the technical brilliance of ballet to the emotional depth of contemporary, the grand spectacle of concert dance, the rule-breaking nature of modern dance, and the rhythmical appeal of tap. What resonates with you may echo your personality, interests, or even your outlook on life.

So, what’s it going to be? Don’t forget to participate in our poll to show us what makes your heart—and feet—skip a beat!