Through my SIG's and reading various reading and research material,s I am really wanting to analysis more deeply the sociological role of engagement in dance.
A recent comment from Mina has outlined an interesting summary of how Dance may fit into society now, and how its role has developed over the years.
In the early years...
Religious (eg. Tribal)
Social (eg. Folk dance, court dance)
Then...
Performance (eg. Theatre performances)
A way to express emotion (not necessarily a performance)
Nowadays...
Fitness (eg. fitness club dance classes)
Educational (eg. 'dance' in P.E.)
And always...( maybe not in ritualistic dances though)
Pleasure and fun!
I think highlighting that throughout society's history the main purpose of dance is its way of making a person feel like they are having fun and enjoying themselves is key. Also, the general opinion seems to be that is includes elements of self - expression, and therefore self - control of ones body. Through learning dance, we learn to take control of how our body moves, and in effect is almost a metaphor for feeling like we are taking charge of life. Hopefully this means Dance's role will be sustainable in society and continue to grow in its popularity.
Regarding my inquiry, I am considering narrowing down my research into the role in which Dance plays, as as Stephanie has pointed out, the subject alone is simply too vast to be recordable. She suggested specifying analysis a certain age group or community. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Currently, I am freelancing for a local community Youth Dance Troupe and have been lucky enough to watch them develop a performance piece over the past 3 days under the guidance of a fantastic teacher from Phoenix Dance Company. It really sprung out to me what the ethos of this specific professional organisation is about, promoting dance in the community and making it available and appealing to all 'walks of life'. It was rewarding to see that the exploration of movement was always met with enthusiasm and encouragement, and that the teacher really acted as a means of facilitation for their own expressive ideas to develop. Running a community youth troupe in this way produced students who seemed to thrive from a sense of self - ownership of the piece, which links into the idea of dance being popular in society because of the self - control of ones body idea. Witnessing very individual personalities, from diverse backgrounds collaborate ideas and thoughts to create a performance piece which was both beautifully unique and edgy was very refreshing.
Do any non-dancers here have any thoughts on this? What would/could make you be attracted to giving Dance a go? I am conscious that as Dance is both my passion and my developing profession, I am blinded to thinking in a way someone who has never danced before may think, all ideas welcome!
2 comments:
As a 'non-dancer' who has occasionally attended dance classes/events in this past - I thought it might be helpful for you if I jot down my reasons.
Attending dance classes is a way of exercising that doesn't feel like exercise - as you are focusing on co-ordination and executing the moves you forget that you are working up a sweat. Great for someone who hates the gym!
It makes you feel good about yourself! I am sure this is partly to do with endorphines that are released after any exercise, but also when you learn a routine or learn a new skill you have a great sense of achievement.
We have all danced in front of the mirror as children (or maybe even still as adults!) emulating our favourite pop stars...and going to a dance class allows us to 'live that dream' for an hour or two. It's escapism I suppose..in a way pretending to be somebody else for a while.
At the moment I have not been dancing for a log time and I think you picked up the main causes in your other blog...it's mainly lack of time and lack of money that stop me taking it up again.
Thanks for this Stephanie, really appreciate you taking the time to show me a different point of you. Nicole has mentioned here sometimes we are 'blinded by our passion' whici I think is very true. Being professional requires us to be passionate of course, but understanding and appreciated that not everyone feels the same is invaluable.
Really interested here on your idea of it being escapism, and that actually people may enjoy the idea of being who ever they want to be for that hours or so's class. I am intrigued, is there any relationship here to acting? In a similar way you are putting on a pretense, being someone else, I'm wondering if we have found a link as to why both subjects remain so popular. With our western world in financial turmoil, do you think we are in a sense 'safe' in guaranteeing work in these professions beacause people will always need a form of escapism?
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