Why We Dance

Why We Dance PDF Author: Kimerer L. LaMothe
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023153888X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
Within intellectual paradigms that privilege mind over matter, dance has long appeared as a marginal, derivative, or primitive art. Drawing support from theorists and artists who embrace matter as dynamic and agential, this book offers a visionary definition of dance that illuminates its constitutive work in the ongoing evolution of human persons. Why We Dance introduces a philosophy of bodily becoming that posits bodily movement as the source and telos of human life. Within this philosophy, dance appears as an activity that humans evolved to do as the enabling condition of their best bodily becoming. Weaving theoretical reflection with accounts of lived experience, this book positions dance as a catalyst in the development of human consciousness, compassion, ritual proclivity, and ecological adaptability. Aligning with trends in new materialism, affect theory, and feminist philosophy, as well as advances in dance and religious studies, this work reveals the vital role dance can play in reversing the trajectory of ecological self-destruction along which human civilization is racing.

Why We Dance

Why We Dance PDF Author: Kimerer L. LaMothe
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023153888X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Get Book Here

Book Description
Within intellectual paradigms that privilege mind over matter, dance has long appeared as a marginal, derivative, or primitive art. Drawing support from theorists and artists who embrace matter as dynamic and agential, this book offers a visionary definition of dance that illuminates its constitutive work in the ongoing evolution of human persons. Why We Dance introduces a philosophy of bodily becoming that posits bodily movement as the source and telos of human life. Within this philosophy, dance appears as an activity that humans evolved to do as the enabling condition of their best bodily becoming. Weaving theoretical reflection with accounts of lived experience, this book positions dance as a catalyst in the development of human consciousness, compassion, ritual proclivity, and ecological adaptability. Aligning with trends in new materialism, affect theory, and feminist philosophy, as well as advances in dance and religious studies, this work reveals the vital role dance can play in reversing the trajectory of ecological self-destruction along which human civilization is racing.

Attention and Focus in Dance

Attention and Focus in Dance PDF Author: Clare Guss-West
Publisher: Human Kinetics
ISBN: 1492594466
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
The Western approach to dance is largely focused on control and mastery of technique, both of which are certainly necessary skills for improving performance. But mindful attention, despite its critical role in high performance, has gotten short shrift—until now. Attention and Focus in Dance, a how-to book rooted in the 20 years of attentional focus findings of researcher Gabriele Wulf, will help dancers unlock their power and stamina reserves, enabling efficient movement, heightening their sensory perception and releasing their dance potential. Author Clare Guss-West—a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and holistic practitioner—presents a systematic, science-based approach to the mental work of dance. Her approach helps dancers hone the skills of attention, focus and self-cueing to replenish energy and enhance their physical and artistic performance. A Unique, Research-Based Approach Here is what Attention and Focus in Dance offers readers: A unique approach, connecting the foundations of Eastern movement with Western movement forms Research-based teaching practices in diverse contexts, including professional dance companies, private studios, and programmes for dancers with special needs or movement challenges Testimonies and tips from international professional dancers and dance educators who use the book’s approach in their training and teaching A dance-centric focus that can be easily integrated into existing training and teaching practice, in rehearsal, or in rehabilitation contexts to provide immediate and long-term benefits Guss-West explores attentional focus techniques for dancers, teachers and dance health care practitioners, making practical connections between research, movement theory and day-to-day dance practice. “Many dancers are using excessive energy deployment and significant counterproductive effort, and that can lead to a global movement dysfunction, lack of stamina and an increased risk of injury,” says Guss-West. “Attentional focus training is the most relevant study that sport science and Eastern-movement practice can bring to dance.” Book Organisation The text is organised into two parts. Part I guides dancers in looking at the attentional challenges and information overload that many professional dancers suffer from. It outlines the need for a systematic attention and focus strategy, and it explains how scientific research on attentional focus relates to dance practice. This part also examines the ways in which Eastern-movement principles intersect with and complement scientific findings, and it examines how the Eastern and scientific concepts can breathe new life into basic dance elements such as posture, turnout and port de bras. Attention and focus techniques are included for replenishing energy and protecting against energy depletion and exhaustion. Part II presents attention and focus strategies for teaching, self-coaching and cueing. It addresses attentional focus cues for beginners and for more advanced dancers and professionals, and it places attentional focus in the broader context of holistic teaching strategies. Maximising Dance Potential “Whether cueing others or yourself, cueing for high performance is an art,” Guss-West says. “Readers will discover how to format cues and feedback to facilitate effective neuromuscular response and enhance dancer recall of information and accessibility while dancing.” Attention and Focus in Dance offers an abundance of research-backed concepts and inspirational ideas that can help dancers in their learning and performance. This book aids readers in filtering information and directing their focus for optimal physical effect. Ultimately, it guides dancers and teachers in being the best version of themselves and maximising their potential in dance.

Unworking Choreography

Unworking Choreography PDF Author: Frédéric Pouillaude
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199314640
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
There is no archive or museum of human movement, no place where choreographies can be collected and conserved in pristine form. The central consequence of this is the incapacity of philosophy and aesthetics to think of dance as a positive and empirical art. In the eyes of philosophers, dance refers to a space other than art, considered both more frivolous and more fundamental than the artwork without ever quite attaining the status of a work. Unworking Choreography develops this idea and postulates an unworking as evidenced by a conspicuous absence of references to actual choreographic works within philosophical accounts of dance; the late development and partial dominance of the notion of the work in dance in contrast to other art forms such as painting, music, and theatre; the difficulties in identifying dance works given a lack of scores and an apparent resistance within the art form to the possibility of notation; and the questioning of ends of dance in contemporary practice and the relativisation of the very idea that dance artistic or choreographic processes aim at work production.

Moving History/Dancing Cultures

Moving History/Dancing Cultures PDF Author: Ann Dils
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press
ISBN: 0819574252
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 513

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Book Description
This new collection of essays surveys the history of dance in an innovative and wide-ranging fashion. Editors Dils and Albright address the current dearth of comprehensive teaching material in the dance history field through the creation of a multifaceted, non-linear, yet well-structured and comprehensive survey of select moments in the development of both American and World dance. This book is illustrated with over 50 photographs, and would make an ideal text for undergraduate classes in dance ethnography, criticism or appreciation, as well as dance history—particularly those with a cross-cultural, contemporary, or an American focus. The reader is organized into four thematic sections which allow for varied and individualized course use: Thinking about Dance History: Theories and Practices, World Dance Traditions, America Dancing, and Contemporary Dance: Global Contexts. The editors have structured the readings with the understanding that contemporary theory has thoroughly questioned the discursive construction of history and the resultant canonization of certain dances, texts and points of view. The historical readings are presented in a way that encourages thoughtful analysis and allows the opportunity for critical engagement with the text. Ebook Edition Note: Ebook edition note: Five essays have been redacted, including “The Belly Dance: Ancient Ritual to Cabaret Performance,” by Shawna Helland; “Epitome of Korean Folk Dance”, by Lee Kyong-Hee; “Juba and American Minstrelsy,” by Marian Hannah Winter; “The Natural Body,” by Ann Daly; and “Butoh: ‘Twenty Years Ago We Were Crazy, Dirty, and Mad’,”by Bonnie Sue Stein. Eleven of the 41 illustrations in the book have also been redacted.

Queer Dance

Queer Dance PDF Author: Clare Croft
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199377332
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 337

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Book Description
Queer Dance challenges social norms and enacts queer coalition across the LGBTQ community. The book joins forces with feminist, anti-racist, and anti-colonial work to consider how bodies are forces of social change.

A Life in Dance

A Life in Dance PDF Author: Rebecca Stenn
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781542982351
Category : Dance
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Rebecca Stenn and Fran Kirmser have spent decades supporting and encouraging young dancers. They know that in addition to the immense passion and commitment that a dancer needs, a working knowledge of the financial and practical aspects of a life in dance are equally important. With A Life in Dance,Stenn and Kirmser give you resources to help you book a rehearsal space; obtain a legal representative and a tax preparer; find auditions; apply for grants; acquire health insurance; meet photographers, agents, publicists, and consultants; pay off student loan assistance; and begin financial planning. Stenn and Kirmser have also compiled narratives from some of the industry's most critically acclaimed performers to give you a glimpse into the life of a professional dancer. Brittany Schmid shows you what life is like for a dancer one year out of college. Wendy Osserman shows you what life is like fifty years out. Hamilton dancer Kamille Upshaw gives you tips on auditioning while choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance debate the benefits of live stage performance and television shows. Other stories include nuanced discussions about race in dance, mindful dancing, and the role of social media in the performing arts.

The Idea of Dance

The Idea of Dance PDF Author: Guru Pandit Shyamal Maharaj
Publisher: Notion Press
ISBN: 1685097952
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 417

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Book Description
The Idea of Dance is a culmination of Kathak Guru Pandit Shyamal Maharaj’s five-decade-long career as star performer and then beloved Guru to thousands of students. An alumnus of Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, and Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, Pandit Shyamal Maharaj has developed a unique style of Kathak, based on the Lucknow Gharana. This book exemplifies the Guru–Shishya parampara as the renowned Guru shares his in-depth knowledge of dance through it with students of Indian classical dance based in India and abroad. The Idea of Dance is based on the syllabus provided by Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, and various universities and is meant for students from Prarambhik Part I to those in their Seventh Year of Indian classical dance as well as for all others who have a deep interest in Indian classical dance and wish to acquire knowledge about it.

This is One Way to Dance

This is One Way to Dance PDF Author: Sejal Shah
Publisher: University of Georgia Press
ISBN: 0820357235
Category : Children of immigrants
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
Deluxe -- Thank You -- Pelham Road -- There Is No Mike Here -- Things People Said: An Essay in Seven Steps -- Temporary Talismans -- Six Hours from Anywhere You Want to Be -- No One Is Ordinary; Everyone Is Ordinary -- Ring Theory -- Saris and Sorrows -- Voice Texting with My Mother.

A Choreographic Mind

A Choreographic Mind PDF Author: Susan Rethorst
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789529765706
Category : Choreographers
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
"A Choreographic Mind began to take shape as I wrote out my thoughts in an attempt to make sense of the wall of difference I encountered on a move to Europe when I was in my forties. My efforts to untangle the assumptions I saw around me necessitated a backward look into the origins of my own assumptions and influences, interior and exterior, nature and nurture. The book begins as I search my childscape for memories that shed light on the first inklings of my choreographic mind, and broadens out to life in the studio and then to the larger world of dance and its potentialities. These essays draw on my own life and experience to create a context for the reader and further the emphasis on what many of my students have termed a zpractical philosophy3 of choreographic thought. It is a subjective account of how dance making brings the maker, and ideally the viewer, to understandings of self and the body?s mind"--Back cover.

Poetics of Dance

Poetics of Dance PDF Author: Gabriele Brandstetter
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199916578
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 457

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Book Description
The book looks at dance at the beginnings of the 20th century, the time during which modern dance first began to make its radical departure from the aesthetics of classical ballet. Author Gabriele Brandstetter traces modern dance's connection to new innovations and trends in visual and literary arts to argue that modern dance is in fact the preeminent symbol of modernity.