Ulrich, A. (2004). Who’s Dancing? Who’s Watching? Dance Magazine, 78(8). 27-27.
Featured in Dance Magazine, this article details the analysis of the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts taken by the National Endowment for the Arts. It draws conclusions from the survey’s findings to establish the differences between those who are watching dance and those who are doing the dancing. It also describes the demographic for the ballet audience, and differentiates how ballet is received compared to all other forms of dance as a whole. The article serves as a rare reference to statistical findings relating to the pursuit for the reason behind the separation between the dances people watch and the dances that they do.
Sherman, S. (2000, February). The History of Black Dance in America. New Crisis(1559-1603), 107, 60.
This periodical gives an overview of the history of black dance in America. It explains how today’s American social dance is rooted in plantation dances and the rhythm embraced by black slaves. It also discusses how the form was not readily accepted by whites or any upper class and therefore resonated with a lower class stigma. The point of physical difference hindering blacks from taking part in prestigious forms of dance such as ballet is also analyzed. For a journalist researching social dance, this article provides history on the long time struggle of black dance in relation to economic and racial status and how that has still carried on in how American social dance is perceived today due to its black influence.
Conover, K. (1997, April). Social Dancing Sweeps America. Christian Science Monitor, 98, 1.
The social dance this article refers to is ballroom and other sorts of partner dancing. It notes the open acceptance to social dances of this style and their increasing growth as a favorite American pastime. The article discusses ballroom’s appeal as a chance for competition, method for physical fitness and playful hobby to take up with family or friends. The differentiation between the American outlook on ballroom dance versus the more commonly practiced club social dances is important because it highlights the varied characteristics like competition, fitness and sharing of a social experience that can interest people in dance. It also raises the question of why these characteristics are not more easily related to club social dance as its sexual stigma is and points out the difference organized classes could make in legitimizing this genre as it has worked for other social dances.
About Me
- Christina Synodinos
- Public Relations student at Ohio University and proud Greek-American. My family is from Chios and my culture is a huge part of my lifestyle. Parea was inspired by all the things my Greek friends and I try to keep up on and spend much time calling one another about to share within our large group of friends (parea).