Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
History of Spanish Dance
When many think about Spanish dances, images of the strumming guitars, stomping feet and bright dresses of
flamenco come to mind. Yet, people barely expect to visit Spain and hear the sounds of bagpipes and tambourines streaming along the streets. Dancing is used as a form of
communication and personal expression. Ritualistic dances honoring battles and other war-related themes were the first to
appear in Spain and centuries later during the Middle Ages, structured religious-themed ritual dances were seen. Through these dances, many others were formed and combined now
resulting into hundreds of types of dances.
The Chotis
The Chotis
The Chotis is part of Madrid’s classic music and dance. Coming from a Scottish origin and
similar to the country and folk dance, it became extremely popular in the nineteenth century
mainly danced by working class people in the neighborhoods of Lavapies and El Ratsro and
in traditional festivals.
The Chotis
The Chotis involves the couple facing each other, with the woman taking large steps and the man
spinning on his axis. The woman traditionally
wears an embroidered scarf/shawl and the man
a beret.
The Flamenco
The FlamencoThe Flamenco originated in Andalusia from the eighth to nineteenth centuries when Spain was
under Arab domination. Their style of music and instruments were customized and adapted by
Christians and Jews and later by gypsies, becoming a combination of styles, unlike the
musical form in which it was first created. The word Flamenco applies to the song, dance and guitar and did not come into use until the 18th
century.
The FlamencoFlamenco at the beginning consisted of one voice
combined with hand clapping. Later the guitar was integrated. During the 20th century, the zapateo “feet
tapping” was introduced: dancers tapped the steps of the dance accompanied by the music. This simple
combination of elements, known as cuadro flamenco, was established as more additions were made to it: hand
clappers to accompany the music and provide rhythm, male and female singers to accompany the main singer,
the caja “box”, a rectangular wooden percussion instrument, and the castañuelas “castanets”, small wooden
instruments played by hand.
The FlamencoThe women usually wear
long colorful flowing dresses. The men usually wear black pants, white or
spotted shirts and, on occasion, a small back
bolero jacket on top of a belt. The men as well as the women wear heeled
shoes to give emphasis to the dance steps.
Music and dance in Madrid includes a wide variety of forms ranging from the folk music/dance to hip-
hop. Music and dance in Madrid shapes a considerable
characteristic of culture and entertainment, blending the traditional with the contemporary to create a enticing and alluring cultural experience.
References:Article Websites:
Aguilera, A. (2011). Enforex Spanish in the Spanish World: History of Spanish Dance. Retrieved from: http://www.enforex.com/culture/spanish-dance-history.htmlAguilera, A. (2011). Enforex Spanish in the Spanish World: Flamenco Dance. Retrieved from: http://www.enforex.com/culture/flamenco.html (2011). Go Madrid: Madrid Flamenco. Retrieved from: http://www.gomadrid.com/activity/madrid-flamenco.html (2011). Madrid Info Site: Flamenco in Madrid Music Dance and Shows. Retrieved from: http://www.madridinfosite.com/en/entertainment/madrid-flamenco.aspx (2009). Black Tomato: The Cutting Edge Travel Experts. Retrieved from: http://www.blacktomato.co.uk/37288/dance (2009). Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia: Schottische. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schottische
References:Article Websites Cont.
(2008). Maps of the World: Madrid Dance. Retrieved from: http://www.mapsofworld.com/cities/spain/madrid/dance.html (2008). Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia: Flamenco. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco (2007). Madrid Travel Guide: Fiesta De San Isidro. Retrieved from: http://www.whatmadrid.com/san-isidro.html(2000). All about Spain: Flamenco History. Retrieved from: http://www.red2000.com/spain/flamenco/history.html
References:Images from Google Search Engine:
Chotis Dancers 1st set (February 28, 2011). Retrieved from: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3582338731_5d5fd049db.jpgChotis Dancers 2nd set (February 28, 2011). Retrieved from: http://www.blogonlyapartments.com/wp_images/san-isidro-madrid.jpg Flamenco Dancers 1st set (February 26, 2011). Retrieved from:http://www.thelovecollage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/flamenco-dancers.jpgFlamenco Dancers 2nd set (February 26, 2011). Retrieved from: http://www.holabarcelonatours.com/images/flamenco1.jpgMusic Notes (February 26, 2011). Retrieved from: http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp196/gaunaman/music-notes.jpgSingle Flamenco Dancer (February 26, 2011). Retrieved from: http://www.paintingsilove.com/uploads/6/6958/flamenco-dancer-2.jpgSpanish Musical Instruments (February 28, 2011). Retrieved from: http://www.la.unm.edu/~davies/MAA/images/maa_lutes.jpg and http://www.pliggfra.com/adpics/diatonia_8Dna2908.jpg
