Dancing with

Different Cultures
Coach Andrew Ramos
8th Grade PE
The Evolution of Dance - 1950 to 2019
What dances did
you recognize?
What is Dance?

According to Merriam-Webster, dance is..

“To move one's body

rhythmically usually to music:
to engage in or perform a
dance”
The Importance of Dance (Eze, 2021)
● Dance “was used in the oral ● The rhythmic flow of the body can mean
performance of ancient cultures as many things to different people dictated
mimes to pass on myths and traditions by the pace of the movement
from one generation to another”
● Greek and Romans infused dance to
● Ritual dances are an essential element in their religion and everyday common life
the foundation of human civilization
● Africans have a rhythmic sway of the
● A “tie between dance and religion that
body that aligns with religion as a
goes way back and still unites in
contemporary times” ritualistic performance that is preserved
and fused to life’s activities
● Some dances are a theatrical display of
colors and flash moves
Dance 1: Salsa ( Juliao)
● Musical style with Caribbean and
African roots dating back to the 1900s

● Popular in Latin America and Latin

communities in America

● Easy dance to learn

● Basic 4 step movement going along with

the music. Main movement comes from
below your waist

● Can add other movements using the

arms and torso, and even spins
Dance 2: Agbadza (2011)
● Agbadza means “for everybody”
meaning anyone can do it and will be
expected to perform it
● Known as “the chicken dance”
● Popular recreational dance for funerals,
weddings, and other get togethers and
parties
● Rhythm relies on traditional ewe
drumming
● Used to be a serious dance for war, but
then turned recreational
Dance 3: Irish 1-2-3 (Scott et al., 2022)
● Irish dancing in an important part of the
Irish heritage and culture

● Came from the Celts and the druids who

roamed Ireland and typically took place at
religious ceremonies

● Step routines are the flagship Irish dancing

style

● Percussive sounds are made with the feet

to ad to the rhythm of the music

● Music is traditionally harp, bagpipe, or just

singing, but now the music can be more
complex
Dance 4: Bollywood Dance (2021)
● India has over 500 years of dance
history

● Bollywood is a hybrid dance

● Incorporates head, neck, and body

movements as well as footwork

● Has elements of classical dance and

other dance forms

● Centered around lively music and dance

 So now we know what we’re
doing…. Time to get into groups!
Independent Practice
There are 4 stations in the gym, each station is specific to one dance we learned

At each station, you will practice the dance for 5 minutes, and then we’ll switch

The videos are playing at each station so that you can refresh your memory if need
be!

At the end of class, don’t forget to fill out your reflection sheet!
Questions?