An introduction to ballet, discussing the history, styles, and famous dancers and choreographers.

Modern dance was a movement that began at the turn of the 20th century when American dancers Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, and Ruth St. Denis broke from formal dance traditions with their own personal vision of movement. Soon, their visions evolved through Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, who would all go on to teach their methods and present modern dance as a serious art form. Avant-garde choreographers, including Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor, stripped dance down to the essence of movement itself, while Alwin Nikolais, Alvin Ailey, and Twyla Tharp incorporated...

The ancient tradition of African dance has influenced dance styles all over the world. It is used to commemorate many annual ceremonies and activities, such as rites of passage and the harvest, and it is also an important form of recreation, religious expression, and storytelling. In African Dance, Second Edition, the varied cultures of Africa and their respective dances are explored, along with the effects that colonialism had on the art form.

The various cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean have produced their own unique forms of dance. Latin and Caribbean Dance highlights dances indigenous to Cuba (mambo and cha-cha-cha), the Dominican Republic (merengue and bachata), Haiti (compas and Vodou ritual dances), Argentina (tango), and Brazil (samba and capoeira). Explore how each dance has developed and been adapted through European and African influences, as well as how they continue to develop in the modern world.

The rich, diverse cultures of the Middle East have long inspired fascination among outsiders. That interest, coupled with misunderstanding, has sometimes led to mythical and exaggerated interpretations of regional dances that are far from authentic. This new edition of Middle Eastern Dance clearly and colorfully showcases the many dances of the region that have been performed for thousands of years, such as the spiritual spinning dances of the Whirling Dervishes and the dabkeh line dance of the Lebanese, Palestinian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Iraqi people.

Popular Dance: From Ballroom to Hip-Hop takes readers on a journey through the trends and developments in popular dancing from European nobles during the Renaissance and early Baroque periods in Europe through 21st-century America. Discover how social and historical elements influence the development of the waltz, the Charleston, jitterbug, and urban street dancing (such as krumping), and learn about the continuous crossover between theatrical performance and dancing for pleasure. Plus, look inside the artistic process to see how dancers not only invent new ways to express themselves, but...

Asian Dance introduces readers to the rich variety of dance traditions of India, Thailand, Java, Bali, China, and Japan. From the profound impact Hindu deities had on dance in India and later in Southeast Asia thousands of years ago to the 20th-century development of Butoh in Japan, dance has been a means for people to express themselves religiously, culturally, and socially in celebration. In learning about the varied Asian dances across the world's largest continent, readers will discover how the art form is an essential way for Asians to express themselves and their history.

One of the most formal and demanding genres of dance, ballet has enthralled audiences with its grace, precision, and remarkable feats of dexterity. Its early roots can be traced back to the 16th century, when court dances were performed for Italian and French royalty. After spreading throughout Europe, ballet flourished in 19th-century Russia, the home of some of the world's greatest dancers and choreographers. Once these dancers traveled to America in the 20th century, ballet began to evolve as the style came in contact with the burgeoning modern dance movement. In this revised edition of...

Long before people learned to write or build cities, they danced to communicate with their gods, bring luck, banish evil, and mark life's passages. Today's well-known folk dances have developed over centuries of struggle and celebration. This new edition of European Dance looks at the folk dances of four peoples: the accomplished and athletic step dance of Ireland, the lively and lyrical group dances of Poland, the communal dances of the villages of Greece, and the proud and fiery dances of Spain. In tracing the roots of these dance traditions, readers can learn how the histories of these...