Dance In American Culture

Dance, like any other art form, is constantly evolving. Its roots are planted in every place in the world. America can thank several countries for creating what the dance industry is today. Since America is a melting pot, it has blended movements from all over the world. This country accepts all cultures and invites new art. Textbooks do not expand on the importance of dance, but it not only played a role in early American society, but todays as well.
Dance has been a continuing art form in American culture. In the early 18th century, colonial dance was popular. Dance gatherings back then is what social media is now. Citizens would anticipate these parties because it is where they could meet new people, mostly for marriage purposes. People

in the 21st post their status, but the colonists showed it off. Colonial dance gatherings allowed people to present their social status and fashion. The country may have been fighting for many reasons, but dance was a common ground. Both the North and South participated in the same dances. In order to create a distraction from the war, assemblies were created. Dance masters from Europe traveled in America and taught in small spaces in colonial towns or even homes. They also developed schools in large urban areas. Famous dance masters include Charles Cleate, Barbara de Graffenreid, James Robardet, and William Byrd II. Robardet actually taught the children of political figures. Cities had multiple schools for dance. The college of William and Mary, taught by William Dering, was a popular school for gentlemen. Schools were separated by sex. They would rehearse on different days as well. The Richmond school, only teaching teenagers, in 1784 allowed mixed genders. In lower class areas classes were held in homes.
Assemblies and balls were held in big cities like Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Alexandria, and Winchester according to a contributor, Amy Stallings, for the Virginia encyclopedia. Citizens would buy tickets from businesses or the head of the ball. Charles Stagg and Christopher Graffenreid managed several assemblies in the 1730s. Stagg was a dance master who taught William Byrds daughters. Graffenreid and his wife were etiquette teachers for couples. The assemblies that they held were popular in everyday life and continued to be in the 19th century. Balls were held to not only socialize, but to celebrate royal birthdays, military victories, and more. According to the Encyclopedia of Virginia some towns in Virginia funded entertainments that had dancing to celebrate the defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Towns such as Williamsburg, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hanover County. Richmond Assemblies also became tradition at the end of the American Revolution. These assemblies were founded by a group of gentlemen and became famous in the new capital. It was an invitation only assembly made for government officials and professionals. Ironically, Washington was known to be an excellent dancer. There are accounts that he loved dancing and would spend many nights dancing with many women.
As popular as the balls were, General and president George Washington was not in favor of them. In Kate Van Winkle Kellers book, Dance and its Music in America, Washington thought that Congress and the wealthy were hypocrites. He did not understand how they could support the war but waste money on extravagant parties and balls. He did not like wasting his precious time either attending these assemblies.
One of the most famous colonial dances, considered a “fancy” dance, was the Minuet. This dance came from France and England. It is rooted from the folk dance branle de Poitou. Although it was popular, by the 1810s it had died out. It was only used for extremely formal occasions. The Minuet is slower and consist of smaller steps. This dance would start every formal ball. One couple at a time would perform it while the rest watched. The wealthiest couple would start first in this ceremony. It began with a bow and a curtsy to the partner. Similar to the waltz, it alternates from “S” patterns and “Z” patterns. Unlike other dances at the time, most of it was improvised. There were set figures but it was up to the couple what moves they wanted to do. It is a light, graceful, and effortless looking dance. It requires skill and power. When the first couple finished the dance, they would dance with another partner. This was an important part of the ball because it is an honor to be asked to dance the Minuets. The single couple dances would last several hours and transition into country dances.
A popular country dance in the 18th century was the Virginia Reel.

The English colonists brought the dance to America and it was later published by Sir Roger de Coverley. It comes from a pre-Christian Irish dance called the Rincce Fadha. Couples come together in a long ways formation while the fiddler plays. Partners closest to the fiddler are the head partners and partners on the opposite end are the foot partners. Partners walk four steps toward each other and bow on the fourth step and take four steps back into place. Partners then walk forward again and grab the right are and swing clockwise and return to places and repeat on the left. Then partners pass right shoulders and take a step to the right and pass left shoulders going backwards. The head partners do eight slides to the foot partners then eight slides back. The head partners then do right elbow swings down the line with each partner. After getting to the end of the line, they slide back to the head. Typically called “Peel the Banana” head partners face front and the rest face a head partner in a single file line. The head partners turn to the left and walk towards the foot of the line while the rest follow. When they get to the foot they face each other and form the “Arch” by holding hands up together. Every partner takes turns going underneath the arch. The dance ends when each partner has a chance to be a head

partner.
France became a influence for America in this time period. French dances, like the cotillion, became popular in America. It was similar to a square dances and was made for four couples. The dance was called cotillion because the women wore “cotte’s” which were short petticoat’s. The ladies would lift up their dress and expose their feet. There are different versions of the cotillion. At some, women would hold a candle and when approached by two gentlemen she would pick one to dance with and the other would have to hold the candle. In another version, men would pick up aprons that one woman has thrown. They would have to quickly tie it on over their coat and whoever put on first got to dance with the woman who through the apron. They would then have to wear it while they danced with the lady. Another figure of the cotillion, called the Coquette, a women sitting in a chair would have gentlemen come up to her and ask her for a dance. If she rejects the man, he has to stand behind her chair. This would go on until she finally accepts someone. Most of these were done by a group of eight people. At a cotillion they would give out “dance favors”, such as gifts and prizes. Many of the gifts were made to embarrass.
Today’s cotillion differs than the one in the 18th century.

Now it is a modern twist on a southern tradition. Now it is a program, according to the National League of Junior Cotillions, that helps juniors learn everyday manners, formal manners, character education, electronic etiquette, “netiquette”, and dance. Everyday manners education consist of learning first impressions, introductions, greeting and shaking hands, paying and receiving compliments, telephone manners, family dining, table manners, and polite conversation. Formal manners consist of learning formal dining, party courtesies, hosting a party, receiving lines, eating unusual foods, and instructional dinners. Character education is learning honesty, integrity, promise keeping, fidelity, caring, respect, citizenship, excellence, accountability, and handling peer pressure. Electronic etiquette, which was nonexistent in the 18th century, is learning cell phone courtesies, phones and digital manners at home, and parents’ guide to electronic safety. Todays “Netiquette” teaches how to use the web, emails, and instant messaging; responsibility, ethicality, and consideration. Learning dance is similar how it was in previous centuries. They learn music appreciation, teamwork, timing, coordination, basic dance courtesies, and current popular line

dances.
Thanks to early colonial dance, America now has ballroom dance. Although ballroom dancing has many different forms, it can link back to the social dances in the 18th century. Now there is the Waltz, the Tango, the Swing, and many more. In some historical towns they do reenactments of colonial dances such as the young widow, soldier’s joy, and glossary of figures. Square and social dancing are still popular in southern culture.