Folk Dancing [Hardcover]

This overview of folk dancing in the United States showcases an important historical movement and explains how folk dance communities evolved to fulfill the needs of specific groups of people over time.

While the general term folk dance encompasses a surprising variety of specific dances, there are three major recreational communities or forms: international folk dance, modern western square dance, and contra dance. Throughout the last century, millions of people have enjoyed folk dancing as an educational and recreational activity, regardless of the particular style.

Folk Dancingexplains the reasons for the folk dance movement that exploded in Europe and North America in the late 19th century. It describes the clubs, camps, festivals, and communities that sprang up, and examines the culture of the movementthe music, key individuals and events, types of clothing, and influences of technologies and popular culture. The book contains authoritative, original information gleaned from the author's own research conducted with hundreds of folk dance enthusiasts across America.

Series Foreword
Preface
Timeline
Introduction
Chapter 1: Native American Dances
Chapter 2: African American Dances
Chapter 3: European Dances
Chapter 4: Origins of the Folk Dance Movement
Chapter 5: American Folk Dance Activities
Chapter 6: International Folk Dance
Chapter 7: Modern Western Square Dance
Chapter 8: Contra Dance
Conclusion
Glossary
References
Index