v. danced, danc·ing, danc·es

v. intr. To move rhythmically usually to music, using prescribed or improvised steps and gestures. To leap or skip about excitedly. To appear to flash or twinkle: eyes that danced with merriment. Informal. To appear to skip about; vacillate: danced around the issue. To bob up and down.

v. tr. To engage in or perform (a dance). To cause to dance. To bring to a particular state or condition by dancing: My partner danced me to exhaustion.

n. A series of motions and steps, usually performed to music. [Middle English dauncen, from Old French danser, perhaps of Germanic origin.]

 

Costume pieces have been compiled from the following traditional origins:

Blue feather headdress - Native American
Because Native Americans lived so close to nature in the past, the traditional
dancer's regalia reflects this relationship and dependence on nature by use of feathers.

Yellow, white and red spotted face paint - Karo Dancer, Ethiopia
Possessing little in the way of material culture, the Karo people place great emphasis
on beautifying the body through painting and scarification. Body artists use vibrant
designs to accentuate their fine facial features and enhance their graceful movements.

Blue face paint - Papua New Guinea
Tribal members take part in a dance acalled a 'sing-sing'. The regional gatherings were
begun in the 1960's as a means to avert clan warfare. Face paint colors changed from
yellow to blue.

Gold coin jewellery - Roma

Bone necklace - Africa

Pearl necklace -
It has been believed that an ancient fish-eating tribe, perhaps along the coast of India,
initially appreciated the shape and lustre of saltwater pearls, which they discovered
while opening oysters for food. Alternately one legend has the Hindu god Krishna
discovering pearls when he plucks the first one from the sea and presents it to his
daughter Pandaïa on her wedding day. China's long recorded history also provides
ample evidence of the importance of pearls. In Egypt, decorative mother-of-pearl was
used at least as far back as 4200 B.C., but the use of pearls themselves seems to have
been later, perhaps related to the Persian conquest in the fifth century B.C. Rome's
pearl craze reached its peak during the first century B.C.

Silver hoop earrings - South America

Gold striped shawl - India

Ballet dress - France and Italy
In 16th century France and Italy, royalty competed to have the most splendid court.
he monarchs would search for and employ the best poets, musicians and artists.
At this time, dancing became increasingly theatrical. This form of entertainment,
also called the ballet de cour (court ballet), featured elaborate scenery and lavish
costumes, plus a series of precessions, poetic speeches, music and dancing. The first
known ballet, Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, was performed in 1581 at the wedding
of the queen of France's sister.

Spanish skirt - Spain
Flamenco derives from a number of pre-existing influences fused together in
Andalucia, Spain, by the gypsies who entered the area around the 15th century
and nurtured by them largely in secret (because of anti-gypsy laws) until the
19th century when it began to flourish as the art we know today.

White fur leggins - Inuit
Animal skins provided clothing for the Eskimos; their favorite was caribou
because it was warm and lightweight. Lacking caribou they would settle
for seal, polar bear, or even Arctic fox.

Black fan - Japan
The hand fan is often used as a prop in Japanese traditional dance, kabuki and
no performances and comes in many forms and varieties. Since its original
purpose is to bring some cool air to the person, it is used as a kigo for summer.

Purple and orange arm-band - Native American
Because Native Americans lived so close to nature in the past, the Traditional
dancer's regalia reflects this relationship and dependence on nature by use of
feathers.

Red painted legs - Africa
Used in a 'coming of age' dance ceremony.

Green and black striped arms - Hmong