International folk dance is a genre of dance wherein selected folk dances from multiple ethnic groups are done by the same dancers, typically as part of a regular recreational dance club, for performances or at other events. The dances are typically considered the products of national or cultural traditions rather than part of an international tradition. International folk dancers need not be a member of any particular ethnicity. Look up genre in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Dance (disambiguation). ... Folk dancers in Prague Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes: They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is... One of the most influential doctrines in history is that all humans are divided into groups called nations. ... The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning to cultivate, generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ... link titleThe word international can mean: Between nations or encompassing several nations. ...

It is done for various purposes, typically for preservation, recreation, or performance. Groups that dance for different purposes tend to do dances differently, and to select different dances. Recreational dancers select and tend to alter the dances (often unintentionally) according to their own tastes, and as a result of the changes that inevitably occur as dances are passed on from one person to the next. Performers typically prefer dramatic, flamboyant, or athletic dances, and they often tend to dance with stylized techniques and exaggerated movements. Dances for performances are usually selected and choreographed for presentation on stage. Nevertheless there is substantial overlap between the dances done for recreation and performance. Some dancers of both types are often concerned with the preservation of a dance for its cultural value. Look up preservation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... People participating in summer luge as a form of recreation, in the Vosges. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Some recreational international folk dance groups also perform dances not strictly considered folk dances. These are dances which are choreographed, or are aristocratic in nature. Choreographed modern Israeli folk dancing is often incorporated into international folk dance repertoire. Choreography (also known as dance composition) is the art of making structures in which movement occurs, the term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures. ... Aristocracy is a form of government in which rulership is in the hands of an upper class known as aristocrats. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

History

International folk dance developed in the immigrant communities of the United States of America during the first half of the 20th century. Traditional dances such as branles, polkas, quadrilles and others have been done internationally for hundreds of years; however, the creation of international folk dance as such is often attributed to Vytautas Beliajus, a Lithuanian-American who studied, taught, and performed dances from various ethnic traditions in the 1930s. Other prominent teachers and promoters of international folk dance in its first few decades included Michael Herman and Mary Ann Herman, Jane Farwell, and Dick Crum. Immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or permanently. ... A community usually refers to a group of people who interact and share certain things as a group, but it can refer to various collections of organisms sharing an environment, plant or animal. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... The word tradition comes from the Latin word traditio which means to hand down or to hand over. ... A branle (also bransle, pronounced brawl) is a 16th century French dance style which moves mainly from side to side, and is performed by couples in either a line or a circle. ... Street musicians in Prague playing a polka Polka is a type of dance, and also a genre of dance music. ... This article is about the dance. ... Vytautas Finadar Beliajus (often called Vyts, born February 26, 1908 in Pakumprys, Lithuania, died September 1994) is considered the father of international folk dancing in the United States. ... The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ... Jane Farwell (b. ... Richard D. Dick Crum (b. ...

International folk dance has grown into a large community of dancers, performing groups and recreational folk dance clubs throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and other countries. Dance festivals and conventions are held year-round. Dance "camps" or workshops invite teachers to instruct dancers in dances from many traditions. These groups usually focus on European dances, but the international folk dance repertoire may include dances from every part of the world: Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia and the South Pacific.

Conflicts

Disagreements exist within the recreational folk dance community. Perhaps the greatest of these is how dances should be performed. Dancers generally believe (if one has an opinion at all), that either 1) dancers should strive to perform the dances traditionally, adhering as closely as possible to the original pattern and styling of the dance or dance tradition in their country of origin, or 2) that folk dancing should be allowed to evolve, and that each international folk dance club represents another "village" where dances can take on their own style or modifications.

See also

• List of folk dances sorted by origin
• Folk dance

This is a list of ethnic, folk, traditional, regional, or otherwise traditionally assiciated with a particular ethnicity, dances by ethnicity or country . ... Folk dancers in Prague Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin, that tend to share the following attributes: They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is...

References

• Betty Casey, International Folk Dancing U.S.A., Doubleday, New York, 1981.

External links

• http://vofl3450.homeunix.net/DanishFolk/dance.html Nordic Folk Dance around the World.
• http://www.interfolk.co.uk shows the activities and repertoires of the International Folk Dance Groups along the south coast of England.
• http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/folkdanc.htm
• http://www.recfd.com/ - includes choreography notes for many, many dances
• http://www.eefc.org/site/ - East European Folklife Centre, run Balkan dance camps (in the U.S.) and an active listserve
• http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/4677/auslinks.html - Australia & New Zealand site with tons of links