Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The history of tap dancing: where it started, where has it come and what the future looks like


Tap dance is a unique form of art expression, counting on the melodic sounds of the dancer’s shoes hitting the floor as they execute each movement. The sound, made by the metal on a tap shoe’s toe and heel, can be heard differently depending on the style or brand of shoe, but the main theme throughout this entire class of dance is the rhythm of the tapping alongside the movements of the dancer.
Tap dancing is thought to have originated in the 1800s, influenced by traditional English and Irish dancing, and became popular in the United States as part of vaudeville entertainment. These shows were theatrical entertainment shows that put together a variety of separate acts and scenes in one sitting, allowing the audience to experience a multitude of dancing and singing. A popular tap routine during vaudeville shows in the 1900s was the Shim Sham, which involved a shuffle step without lifting the feet.
There are two main forms of tap, known as Broadway tap and rhythm/jazz tap. Broadway is the style you’re most likely to see during live theatre, focusing heavily on movement and dance. 42nd Street, Billy Elliot and Singin’ in the Rain are some of the world’s most popular stage musicals that incorporate tap dancing into their shows.
Rhythm/jazz tap is different, concentrating more on music and its place in the history of Jazz culture. This style came from Jazz clubs during the 1940s.
Outside of musicals, tap is regularly performed a cappella, and the performance relies on the sound of the metal shoes hitting the floor. The Hoofer style of tap makes sole use of the feet, and little movement in the hands or arms. Show tap, on the other hand, makes full use of the arms, and is more likely to be used in stage productions.
By the 1930s, tap dancing was synced with Lindy Hop, an American dance trend out of New York City that infused jazz dance and swing.
National Tap Dance Day is celebrated annually on May 25 in the U.S. This date is the birthday of one of history’s most loved tap dancers, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, who rose to fame in the tap dance industry during the early 1900s.
Along with Bojangles, other famous tap dancers include Fred Astaire, Master Juba, John W. Bubbles and Sammy Davis Jr.
Tap remains a popular form of dance today, and is still taught at dance schools across the world. There’s even an indie-pop brand from Nebraska, known as Tilly and the Wall, who use a tap dancer in place of a drummer.

While tap dancing took a hit during the 1950’s and ‘60s as rock’n’roll music took over, it’s taken its place in the dance industry as a classic technique, and is still a part of many musicals, shows and dance competitions all over the globe. People love to dance tap as it differs from other disciplines, allowing the performer to make an impact on their audience with the rhythm and beat of their shoes.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Seven Benefits of Taking Part in Dance Competitions


Competitions are a rite of passage for every passionate dancer - a chance to showcase their techniques to an audience, express themselves through dance and exhibit their skills in an environment that rewards talent and dedication.
The benefits of taking part are limitless, and every dancer should experience competitive dancing in order to further develop their skills. From promoting group interaction, building confidence and challenging the physical body, here are seven advantages of dance competitions:
Competitions Promote Focused Control and Learning
In a typical dance competition environment, there are many rules that dancers must follow, and learning to abide by guidelines in a competitive setting is a fabulous way of teaching children and young dancers a discipline, while still pushing them to have fun and enjoy their art. This teaches and encourages respect while allowing dancers with an artistic platform.
Provides Insight into the Development of Others
Dancers who want to further their career can get a clear vision of the skills of others by taking part in competitions, allowing them to see how they measure up against the rest of their age group, and assess what skills they need to work on in order to improve and meet the standard of elder, more experienced dancers. This can be a great motivator, encouraging further training and learning.
Feeds Healthy Competiveness
Dance comps can also encourage youngsters to develop a lively competitive streak, influencing them to push themselves as they begin to desire to succeed both in the world of dance, and other aspects of their lives that these skills may be transferred to. While not everyone can win, everyone can take part.
Promotes Social Interaction
Dancers will have the opportunity to meet lots of new people as they travel to compete, enhancing their social skills and providing them a vast network of friends who have hobbies in common. Socialization is one of the most important components in a child’s development, and a happy and healthy child is a social one.
Great Physical Challenges
It is not just the competition itself that calls for the dancer to be fighting fit, but training too. The existence of a competition can keep dancers focused on practice, as they have a solid goal in mind for their training. This encourages consistent physical exercise, keeping dancers athletic and at the top of their game.
Encourages Confidence Building
There’s nothing better for building a dancer’s self-confidence than the loud applause of an appreciative audience, and performing in front of a crowd is an amazing self-esteem booster for those who are prone to being shy, and is definitely satisfying for more outgoing types. It’s also the chance for dancers to show family and friends what they’ve been working on.
Influences Community Spirit
Group numbers in competitions require dancers to work together, promoting team work and instilling a sense of community. Being a part of a group, especially one that trains and dances together in the name of competitions is a rewarding experience. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate a win than with your best friends!