The Complete Book of Square Dancing (and Round Dancing)


Book Description

"Square dancing is friendship set to music," says author Betty Casey. Just take four couples, old or young, put 'em on a good floor, turn on the music, and you're all set. Whether you've done it before or you're just starting out, this book tells you everything you need to know--85 basic movements used all over the world, the spirited calls unique to square dancing, the costumes and equipment that are best, and music (from "Red River Valley" to "Mack the Knife") that will set your feet in motion. Down-to-earth details and anecdotes give a taste of the good times in store for you. Find out how native folk dances grew out of European quadrilles, jigs, and fandangos. Open this book and get ready to: "wipe off your tie, pull down your vest, and dance with the one you love best." This book includes: 50 basic movements, 35 advanced movements, variations, dances that are a part of the American heritage, Contra and Round Dances, polkas and reels, and calls, past and present.




Round Dancing


Book Description

The 1890s book on round dances by M.B. Gilbert, a well-known American dancing master, containing instructions for numerous variations on waltzes, polkas, galops, redowas, mazurkas, schottisches, and other dances. Somewhat unusually for the era, it does not include any notes on dances other than round dances, like quadrilles, or on etiquette. This edition is a modern reformatting of the early digitized version made by the Library of Congress for the American Ballroom Companion collection, itself now considerably antiquated. Formatting has been reworked to be both practically useful and considerably closer to the original text, and errors in the LoC digitization have been corrected when found, while errors in the original text have been preserved. GV1755 .G46




The Country Dance Book


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Folk Dancing


Book Description

This overview of folk dancing in the United States showcases an important historical movement and explains how folk dance communities evolved to fulfill the needs of specific groups of people over time. While the general term "folk dance" encompasses a surprising variety of specific dances, there are three major recreational communities or forms: international folk dance, modern western square dance, and contra dance. Throughout the last century, millions of people have enjoyed folk dancing as an educational and recreational activity, regardless of the particular style. Folk Dancing explains the reasons for the folk dance movement that exploded in Europe and North America in the late 19th century. It describes the clubs, camps, festivals, and communities that sprang up, and examines the culture of the movement—the music, key individuals and events, types of clothing, and influences of technologies and popular culture. The book contains authoritative, original information gleaned from the author's own research conducted with hundreds of folk dance enthusiasts across America.




The Juvenile Instructor


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The Round Dance Book


Book Description

Century of waltzing, with over a hundred old-time American round dances and circle mixers.




Modern Dancing


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Waltzing Through Europe


Book Description

From 'folk devils' to ballroom dancers, this volume explores the changing reception of fashionable couple dances in Europe from the eighteenth century onwards. A refreshing intervention in dance studies, this book brings together elements of historiography, cultural memory, folklore, and dance across comparatively narrow but markedly heterogeneous localities. Rooted in investigations of often newly discovered primary sources, the essays afford many opportunities to compare sociocultural and political reactions to the arrival and practice of popular rotating couple dances, such as the Waltz and the Polka. Leading contributors provide a transnational and affective lens onto strikingly diverse topics, ranging from the evolution of romantic couple dances in Croatia, and Strauss's visits to Hamburg and Altona in the 1830s, to dance as a tool of cultural preservation and expression in twentieth-century Finland. Waltzing Through Europe creates openings forfresh collaborations in dance historiography and cultural history across fields and genres. It is essential reading for researchers of dance in central and northern Europe, while also appealing to the general reader who wants to learn more about the vibrant histories of these familiar dance forms. As with all Open Book publications, this entire book is available to read for free on the publisher's website. Printed and digital editions, together with supplementary digital material, can also be found at www.openbookpublishers.com.




The XIX Century


Book Description




Dancing in His Presence


Book Description

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Through it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry (Habakkuk 2:3). ABOUT THE BOOK This guide to establishing and maintaining a dance ministry is a must read for Pastors, Church Leaders and Ministers of dance. Learn a biblical perspective on the art of worship through dance. Can anyone dance? What is the role of the worshipper through dance? What are the five critical safeguards in establishing a ministry? These practical guidelines provide keen insight into the biblical perspective and the establishment of the operational and administrative structure, vision, mission, budget, and the selection of dance movements, garments, and music for praise and worship. If God leads you to begin a dance ministry, then learn the art of establishing a ministry that is holy and pleasing to the Lord by dancing in His presence.