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{{Short description|Choreographed dance}} |
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A '''line dance''' is choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a [[Group dance|group]] of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Older "line dances" have lines in which the dancers face each other, or the "line" is a circle, or all dancers in the "line" follow a leader around the dance floor; while holding the hand of the dancers beside them.<ref>International Folk Dance at a Glance. Second Edition. Cecile Gilbert. Burgess Publishing Company. 1974. SBN 8087-0727-2</ref> |
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[[File:Line dancing in Esino Lario (27858764286).jpg|thumb|right|Line dancing at Wikimania 2016 in Esino Lario]]A '''line dance''' is a choreographed [[dance]] in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of [[dance step|steps]] while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.<ref name="Knight">Knight, Gladys L. (2014). ''Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture'', p.102. ABC-CLIO. {{ISBN|9780313398834}}.</ref><ref name="Lane">Lane, Christy (2000/1995). ''Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing'', p.2-4. Human Kinetics. {{ISBN|9780736000673}}.</ref><ref name="Lesson">Zakrajsek, Dorothy; Carnes, Lois; and Pettigrew, Frank E. (2003). ''Quality Lesson Plans for Secondary Physical Education, Volume 1'', p.188. Human Kinetics. {{ISBN|9780736044851}}.</ref> Unlike [[circle dance|circle dancing]], line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Each dance is usually associated with, and named for, a specific song, such as the [[Macarena]] or the [[Electric Slide]] (associated with the 1982 single "[[Electric Boogie]]") which are a few of the line dances that have consistently remained part of modern American culture for years. |
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[[Image:Line Dancing.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Line dancing at a Country Western Dance Hall and Saloon.]] |
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Line dancing is practiced and learned in [[Country–western dance|country-western dance]] bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as [[Country-western two-step|two-step]], [[western promenade dances]], and as well as western-style variants of the [[waltz]], [[polka]] and [[Swing (dance)|swing]]. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, [[Swing (dance)|swing]], [[rock and roll]], [[disco]], [[Latin dance|Latin]] ([[salsa suelta]]), [[rhythm and blues]] and [[jazz]].<ref name="Lane" /> |
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==History and culture== |
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The earliest [[folk dance]]s in many cultures were line dances, originating before social proprieties allowed men and women to dance together in [[couple dance]]s. In early forms men and women often danced in separate lines, but the same dances are often done today in mixed lines. The [[Balkan]] countries, among others, have a rich tradition of line dance surviving to the present. These folk line dances are also performed in the [[international folk dance]] movement. Folk line dances have many forms: pairs of lines in which the dancers face each other, or a line formed into a circle, or the line follows a leader around the dance floor. The dancers may hold hands with their neighbors, or use an arm-on-shoulder hold, or hold their neighbor's belts. <ref>International Folk Dance at a Glance. Second Edition. Cecile Gilbert. Burgess Publishing Company. 1974. SBN 8087-0727-2</ref> |
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The term "modern line dance" is now used in many line dance clubs around the world to indicate dance styles that combine many genres, including pop, Latin, Irish, big band and country. Rather than wearing Western-style clothing or boots, participants dress in casual clothing and often wear [[Dance shoe|dance trainers]]. |
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Although line dancing is associated with country-western music and dance, it has a similarities to folk dancing.<ref>Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing. Christy Lane. 2000, 1995. Human Kinetics. pages 3, 4. ISBN 0-7360-0067-4</ref> Many [[folk dance]]s are danced in unison in a single, nonlinear "line", and often with a connection between dancers. The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, [[Swing (dance)|swing]], [[rock and roll]], [[disco]], [[Latin Dance|latin]] ([[Salsa Suelta]]), and Jazz.<ref>Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing. Christy Lane. 2000, 1995. Human Kinetics. page 3. ISBN 0-7360-0067-4</ref> |
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==History== |
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The [[Madison (dance)|Madison]] was a popular line dance in the late 1950s. At least five line dances that are strongly associated with country-western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: "Walkin' Wazi"<ref>[http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?json=1&PHPSESSID=33e1419079c18f1f104e32dba329c2ff&rt=0&t=1&n=41193 step sheet at Kickit.to]</ref><ref>[http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots&bucklesworkshop.htm more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi]</ref> and "Cowboy Boogie",<ref>http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf</ref><ref>[http://www.dorisvolz.com/kenengelresume.pdf "Kentucky Ken" resume]</ref><ref>http://www.dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken</ref> five years before the disco craze created by the release of [[Saturday Night Fever]] in 1977, the same (approximate) year the "Tush Push" was created.<ref>http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf original step sheet</ref> The "L.A. Hustle" began in a small Los Angeles disco in the Summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in Spring of '76 as the "Bus Stop.<ref>The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6</ref> Another 70s line dance is the "NutBush".<ref>http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html]</ref> |
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[[File:Madison_(dance)1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Madison (dance)|Madison]] dancers before quarter of turn]] |
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The precise origins of line dancing are not entirely clear.<ref name="Lesson" /> Of the confusion, music historian Christy Lane has stated that "If you were to ask 10 people with some knowledge of when line dancing began, you'd probably get 10 different answers".<ref name="Lane" /> By and large, the growth and popularity of line dancing has mainly been tied to [[Country music|country and western music]].<ref name="Lesson" /> |
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It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Lesson" /> Throughout the 1860s–1890s, the style that would later be known as [[country–western dance]] began to emerge from these dances. Schools in the United States began to incorporate dancing, particularly [[Folk dance|folk dancing]], into [[physical education]] classes in the 1900s, which popularized folk and country dancing as a social activity. Finally, servicemen returning from [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] sometimes brought European dances back to the United States, incorporating elements into American dance styles.<ref name="Lane" /> |
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Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs.[http://www.dorisvolz.com/][http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html] The 1980 film [[Urban Cowboy]] reflected the blurring of lines between country music and pop, and spurred renewed interest in country culture, and western fashion, music, and dance.<ref>Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing. Christy Lane. 2000, 1995. Human Kinetics. page 3. ISBN 0-7360-0067-4</ref> "Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader in October of 1990 for the original [[Asleep at the Wheel]] recording of the song of the same name.[http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/bootscootinboogie.htm][http://homepages.apci.net/~drdeyne/dances/bootskut.txt] The Brooks and Dunn version of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title,<ref>[http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1 "Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit]</ref> including one by Tom Maddox and Skippy Blair under contract to the recording company.<ref>[http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html see Blair statement]</ref> |
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=== 1950s–1970s: development of style === |
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[[Billy Ray Cyrus]]' 1992 hit [[Achy Breaky Heart]], helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness.<ref>Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing. Christy Lane. 2000, 1995. Human Kinetics. page 3. ISBN 0-7360-0067-4</ref> In 1994 choreographer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Maxperry22 Max Perry] had a worldwide dance hit with "Swamp Thang" for the song of the same name by [[The Grid]]. This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid 1990s period country western music was influenced by the popularity of line dancing. This influence was so great that [[Chet Atkins]] was quoted as saying "The music has gotten pretty bad, I think. It's all that damn line dancing." <ref> The Roots of Country Music" Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994</ref> |
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One of the first true line dances was the [[Madison (dance)|Madison]], a [[novelty dance]] created and first danced in [[Columbus, Ohio]], in 1957.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Madison 1|url=http://www.columbusmusichistory.com/html/madison_1.html|access-date=2021-08-27|website=www.columbusmusichistory.com}}</ref> The local popularity of the dance and record in [[Baltimore, Maryland]], came to the attention of the producers of ''[[The Buddy Deane Show]]'' in 1960, which led to other dance shows picking it up.<ref>{{citation|last=Malnig|first=Julie|title=Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader|url=https://archive.org/details/ballroomboogiesh0000unse/page/192|page=[https://archive.org/details/ballroomboogiesh0000unse/page/192 192]|year=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-07565-0}}</ref> The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.<ref>Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=retrieved 1.2011|url=http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715173231/http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_|archive-date=2011-07-15|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Renez.com}}</ref> |
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During the [[disco music]] era of the 1970s, numerous new dance styles emerged, including many line dances choreographed to disco songs.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Lesson" /> The "L.A. Hustle", a modified version of the Madison, began in a small Los Angeles disco in the summer of 1975, and hit the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] (with modified steps) in the spring of 1976 as the "Bus Stop".<ref>The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. {{ISBN|0-446-87943-6}}</ref><ref>"The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27</ref> Another 70s line dance is the [[Nutbush (dance)|Nutbush]], performed to [[Tina Turner]]'s song "[[Nutbush City Limits]]".<ref name="roots-boots1">{{cite web|author=Marayong|title=History & definition of linedancing|url=http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513041552/http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html|archive-date=2007-05-13|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Roots-boots.net}}</ref><ref name="wtf">{{cite news|last1=Baxter|first1=Lauren|date=1 February 2019|title=WTF Australia: Turns Out We Are The Only Country That Does The 'Nutbush' Dance|language=en|work=The Music|url=https://themusic.com.au/article/KiA2PD8-ISA/wtf-australia-turns-out-we-are-the-only-country-that-does-the-nutbush-dance/|accessdate=31 August 2019}}</ref> The popular dance [[Electric Slide]], associated with the song "[[Electric Boogie]]," was created in 1976. The song "Electric Boogie" was originally released by Marcia Griffiths in December 1982. It was written by Bunny Wailer exclusively for Griffiths, reaching the top spots in popularity in Jamaica in early[https://www.discogs.com/es/master/176452-Marcia-Griffiths-Electric-Boogie 1983], achieving moderate international success. In 1989, the song was remixed and re-released, this time gaining significant popularity. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming Griffiths' most successful single. The song also helped popularize the "electric slide" dance. <ref name="Knight" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Silver|first=Ric|title=This is 'The Electric' - The Complete Choreography|url=http://the-electricslidedance.com/the-complete-choreography.html|access-date=2016-11-30|publisher=The-electricslidedance.com}}</ref> |
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Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1998, the band [[Steps (group)|Steps]] created further interest outside of the U.S. with the [[Techno music|techno]] dance song [[5,6,7,8]]. In 1999 the Gap retailer debuted the "Khaki Country" ad on the Academy Awards ceremony. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_7_73/ai_55127826] Line dancers performed to the 1999 version of [[Crazy Little Thing Called Love]] by [[Dwight Yoakum]]. Line dance now has very traditional dances to country music, and not so traditional dances to non country music. |
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The release of the film ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'' in 1977 took disco and its associated dance styles to a new height of popularity.<ref>{{cite web|title=original step sheet|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623124658/http://dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-05-31}}</ref> |
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Line dancing is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide. It avoids the problem of imbalance of male/female partners that plagues ballroom/swing/salsa dancing clubs. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of [[Country and Western dance|country-western dance]], such as [[Country-western two-step|two-step]], and [[western promenade dances]], as well as western-style variants of the [[waltz]], [[polka]] and [[Swing (dance)|swing]]. |
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Line dancing to country music also became popular during this era, with two notable dances dating to 1972: the [[Walkin' Wazi]] and the [[Cowboy Boogie (dance)|Cowboy Boogie]].<ref name="Knight" /><ref>{{cite web|title=more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots&bucklesworkshop.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710144610/http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots%26bucklesworkshop.htm|archive-date=2011-07-10|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Dorisvolz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704190031/http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf|archive-date=2008-07-04|access-date=2008-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=1999-06-01|title=Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623124444/http://dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm|archive-date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Dorisvolz.com}}</ref> |
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The [[Macarena (song)|Macarena]] and the [[Chicken Dance]], the later of which is danced in a circle, are other examples of line dance. |
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=== 1980s–present === |
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Line dancing reached Europe, nourished by the arrival of Country Music Television,<ref>Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. ISBN 1-57912-049-0</ref><ref>http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/cmt_europe.html CMT Europe clips</ref> and in 2008 gained the attention of the French government.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4036375.ece] Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control</ref> |
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[[File:Neustadttreffen 2009-Linedance 01.JPG|thumb|Line dancers in Neustadt on Spree, Saxony, Germany]] |
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The 1980 film ''[[Urban Cowboy]]'' caused a trend for country and western culture, particularly the associated [[Country–western dance|dance]], [[Country music|music]], and [[Western wear|clothing]].<ref name="Lane" /> Over a dozen line dances were created for country songs during the 1980s.<ref name="roots-boots1" /> Many other early line dances were adaptations of disco line dance.<ref>Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.</ref> The [[Chicken Dance]] is an example of a line dance adopted by the Mod revival during the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|date=1988-10-01|title=see Blair statement|url=http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006080012/http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html|archive-date=2011-10-06|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Wcs-dancer.com}}</ref> |
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The music video for the 1990 [[Billy Ray Cyrus]] song "[[Achy Breaky Heart]]" has been credited for launching line dancing into the mainstream.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Achy linedance">{{cite news|date=October 30, 1992|title=Line dancing refuses to go out of style|newspaper=Star-News|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iqssAAAAIBAJ&pg=2782,6165269&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+line+dancing&hl=en|access-date=August 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Achy linedance2">{{cite news|date=April 17, 1993|title=Stepping to country fun|publisher=The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City)|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAFE6F839C80C1E&p_docnum=1|access-date=August 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Achy linedance4">{{cite news|date=June 13, 1995|title=This time around, the country craze proves to have some staying power|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3IA0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4370,6083247&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+line+dancing&hl=en|access-date=August 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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==Terms== |
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A '''basic''' is one repetition of the main dance from the first count to the last not including any tags or bridges. In competition if this is danced "as written" with no variations, it is called "plain Vanilla". |
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In the 1990s, the hit Spanish dance song "[[Macarena]]" inspired a popular line dance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clark|first=Walter Aaron|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d7DHvfmzHhkC&dq=macarena+dance&pg=PA189|title=From Tejano to Tango: Essays on Latin American Popular Music|date=2013-02-01|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-1-136-53687-8|language=en}}</ref> |
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Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner status will often replace a section of a dance (say 8 beats) with a compatible set of steps which is called a '''variation'''. This is often required in competitive line dancing. |
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A line dance for the 1990 [[Asleep at the Wheel]] single "[[Boot Scootin' Boogie]]" was choreographed by Bill Bader.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers|url=http://www.billbader.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428053857/http://www.billbader.com/|archive-date=2011-04-28|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Billbader.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2004-03-07|title=Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader|url=http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/bootscootinboogie.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708001248/http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/BootScootinBoogie.htm|archive-date=2011-07-08|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Billbader.com}}</ref> The 1992 [[Brooks & Dunn]] cover of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title.<ref>{{cite web|date=2011-05-27|title="Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726204138/http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1|archive-date=2011-07-26|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Kickit.to}}</ref> [[Billy Ray Cyrus]]' 1992 hit "[[Achy Breaky Heart]]" helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness.<ref name="Lane" /> In 1994 choreographer Max Perry had a worldwide dance hit with "Swamp Thang" for the song "[[Swamp Thing (song)|Swamp Thing]]" by [[The Grid]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of line dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid-1990s period, country western music was significantly influenced by the popularity of line dancing.<ref>''The Roots of Country Music'' Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994</ref> |
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A dance will have a number of '''count'''s, for example a 64-count dance. This is the number of beats of music it would take to complete one sequence of the dance. This is not necessarily the same number of steps in the dance as steps can be performed on an ''and'' count between two beats, or sometimes a step holds over more than one beat. |
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Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson Szymanski, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1997, the band [[Steps (group)|Steps]] created further interest outside of the U.S. with the [[Techno music|techno]] dance song "[[5,6,7,8]]". In 1999, American retailer [[Gap Inc.]] debuted the "Khaki Country" ad at that year's [[Academy Awards]] ceremony, in which line dancers performed to the 1999 version of "[[Crazy Little Thing Called Love]]" by [[Dwight Yoakam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=GAP a-Go-Go | Dance Magazine | Find Articles at BNET|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_7_73/ai_55127826|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201184014/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_7_73/ai_55127826|archive-date=2009-02-01|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Findarticles.com}}</ref> |
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A '''restart''' is a point at which the basic dance sequence is interrupted and the dance routine is started again from the beginning. Restarts are used to fit the dances to the phrasing of the music. |
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The arrival of the [[CMT (American TV channel)|Country Music Television]] channel to Europe fed the popularity of line dancing there.<ref>Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. {{ISBN|1-57912-049-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/cmt_europe.html |title=CMT Europe clips |publisher=.tv-ark.org.uk |access-date=2011-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219181409/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/cmt_europe.html |archive-date=2012-02-19 }}</ref> In 2008, line dancing gained the attention of the French government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4036375.ece |title=OUI-Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control - Times Online |access-date=2008-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712155823/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4036375.ece |archive-date=2008-07-12 }} Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control</ref> |
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A dance is made up of a number of movements called '''step'''s. Each step is given a name so teachers can tell dancers to perform this step when teaching a dance. The most well-known is the ''[[grapevine (dance move)|grapevine]]'' (or ''vine'' for short), which is usually a three-step movement to the side, with the fourth step added to complete the measure. There can be any number of movements in one step. |
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Based on per capita ranking of MeetUp Groups in the US, Durham, N.C. was declared the line dancing capital of America in 2014.<ref>Time. Sept. 8-15, 2014. page 43.</ref> |
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A '''tag''' or '''bridge''' is an extra set of steps not part of the main dance sequence that are inserted into one or more sequences to ensure the dance fits with the phrasing of the music. The term ''tag'' usually implies only a few additional counts (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas ''bridge'' implies a longer piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally interchangeable, however. |
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==Wall== |
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===Step descriptions=== |
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[[File:Line dancing.jpg|thumb|right|Line dancing at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii]]Each dance is said to consist of a number of ''walls''. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back, or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, face in a direction halfway between two walls. At the end of the sequence, they will face the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference.<ref name="Lane" /> |
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Descriptions of some dance steps in their typical form are below. They are subject to variations in particular dances, where a stomp or a point may occur instead of a touch, for example, in the grapevine. |
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* In a ''one-wall dance'', the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning (either no turn or a full turn, 360 degrees). |
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[[Chasse]]: One foot moves to the side, the other foot is placed next to it, and the first foot moves again to the side. |
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* In a ''two-wall dance'', repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set (half turn). The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}} |
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* In a ''four-wall dance'', the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning (quarter turn). As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. In some dances, they turn 270 degrees, a "three-quarter turn," to face the new wall.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} |
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[[Grapevine (dance move)|Grapevine]]: One foot moves to the side, the other moves behind it, the first foot moves again to the side, and the second touches next to the first. There are variations: the final step can consist of a hitch, a scuff, placement of weight on the second foot, and so forth. The name of the step is sometimes abbreviated to ''vine''. |
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[[Weave (dance move)|Weave]]: To the left or the right. This is a grapevine with a cross in front as well as a cross behind. Creates a slight zig zag pattern on the floor. |
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[[Triple step]]: This is 3 steps being taken in only 2 beats of music. Can move forward, backward, left, right or on the spot. |
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[[Shuffle step]]: A triple step to the front or the back, left or right side, starting on either foot. The feet slide rather than being given the staccato (short and sharp) movement of the cha-cha. There is a slight difference in the interpretation of the timing to give the element its distinctive look. It is counted as 1 & 2, 3 & 4, etc. However, the actual amount of time devoted to each of the 3 steps in the shuffle is 3/4 of a beat, 1/4 of a beat, then one full beat of music. |
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[[Lock step (dance)|Lock step]]: A triple step backwards or forwards, starting on either foot, with the second foot slid up to and tightly locked in front of or behind the first foot before the first foot is moved a second time in the same direction as for the first step. |
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Other steps include [[applejack (dance move)|applejack]], [[botafogo (dance move)|botafogo]], butterfly, [[coaster step]], [[heel grind]], hitch, [[jazz box]], [[kick ball change]], kick ball step, lunge, [[Mambo (dance)|mambo]] step, [[military turn]], [[Monterey turn]], paddle, [[pivot turn]], [[rock step]], [[sailor step]], scissor step, scuff, [[spiral turn]], stamp, stomp, [[sugarfoot (dance move)|sugarfoot]], swivet and vaudeville. |
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===Wall=== |
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Each dance is said to consist of a number of ''walls''. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, be facing in a direction half-way between two walls; but at the end of the sequence they will be facing the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference. |
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* In a ''one-wall dance'', the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning. |
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* In a ''two-wall dance'', repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set. The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall. |
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* In a ''four-wall dance'', the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning. As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. |
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==Popular line dances== |
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[[The Time Warp]]<br /> |
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[[Poco-Poco]]<br /> |
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[[Electric Slide]]<br /> |
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[[Cha Cha Slide]]<br /> |
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[[The Hustle]]<br /> |
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[[Cupid Shuffle]]<br /> |
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[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6230728851104118785& Boot Scootin' Boogie]<br /> |
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Achy Breaky Heart<br /> |
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Alley Cat<br /> |
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[[Macarena (song)|Macarena]]<br /> |
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[[Chicken Dance]]<br /> |
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[[Cotton Eye Joe]]<br /> |
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[[Soulja Boy]]<br /> |
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[[Copperhead Road]]<br /> |
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Catfish<br /> |
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Charleston<br /> |
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Tennessee Twister<br /> |
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Pensacola Slide<br /> |
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Power Jam <br /> |
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Blue Boy<br /> |
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Cripple Creek<br /> |
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Jose Cuervo '97<br /> |
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Booty Call<br /> |
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Mustang Sally<br /> |
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Wild Wild West<br /> |
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Cruisin'<br /> |
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Tulsa Shuffle<br /> |
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Cleveland Shuffle<br /> |
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Play Something Country<br /> |
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Good Time (as seen on the Alan Jackson video for the song Good Times)<br /> |
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Hoedown Throwdown |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[ |
* [[Haka]] |
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*[[Chorus line]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.billbader.com/worldrecords.htm "Complete list of official line dance world records: "World's Longest Line Dances" and "World's Largest Line Dances" (according to Guinness and also prior to Guinness' world records for line dancing)] |
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====World records==== |
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* http://www.billbader.com/worldrecords.htm |
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* [http://blog.cmt.com/2008-06-06/choreographing-the-worlds-longest-line-dance/ "World's Longest Line Dance"] |
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{{Dance}} |
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====Line dance resources==== |
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{{Authority control}} |
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* [http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jgothard/SECT5B.HTM#CAPETHE Line & Country & Western Dance & Music Glossary of Line Dance Terms] |
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* [http://www.worldlinedancenewsletter.com World Line Dance Newsletter] |
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* [http://www.linedancermagazine.com Linedancer Magazine] |
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* [http://www.copperknob.co.uk Linedance Step Sheet Database] |
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* [http://www.danceweb.co.uk/line DanceWeb: Linedance News, Classes & Event Directory] |
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* [http://www.yipee.per.sg Linedance Videos and Step Sheet Database] |
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====Major line dance events and competitions==== |
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* Australia -Australian Line Dance Festival [http://www.dare2dance.org website] full events details, 5 days of non stop line dance action |
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* Barcelona (Spain)- [http://www.linedance-spain.com The Spanish Event, step sheets and videos of dances] |
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* Chicago - [http://www.countryedge.com/Events/WindyCityLinedancemania.htm Windy City Line Dance Mania] |
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* UK - Crystal Boot Awards, check the website for full details [http://www.linedancermagazine.com linedancermagazine.com] |
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* USA Tampa Bay Line Dance Classics in November. |
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* All American Line Dance Showdown in the Spring in Boston |
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www.LineDanceShowdown.com |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Line Dance}} |
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[[Category:Line dances| ]] |
[[Category:Line dances| ]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Folk dance]] |
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[[ca:Line dance]] |
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[[da:Line dance]] |
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[[de:Line Dance]] |
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[[et:Rivitants]] |
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[[es:Línea de danza]] |
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[[fr:Danse en ligne]] |
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[[it:Line dance]] |
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[[hu:Linedance]] |
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[[nl:Linedance]] |
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[[ja:ラインダンス]] |
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[[simple:Line dancing]] |
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[[fi:Countrytanssi]] |
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[[sv:Linedance]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:39, 11 December 2024
.jpg)
A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.[1][2][3] Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Each dance is usually associated with, and named for, a specific song, such as the Macarena or the Electric Slide (associated with the 1982 single "Electric Boogie") which are a few of the line dances that have consistently remained part of modern American culture for years.
Line dancing is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as two-step, western promenade dances, and as well as western-style variants of the waltz, polka and swing. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, Latin (salsa suelta), rhythm and blues and jazz.[2]
The term "modern line dance" is now used in many line dance clubs around the world to indicate dance styles that combine many genres, including pop, Latin, Irish, big band and country. Rather than wearing Western-style clothing or boots, participants dress in casual clothing and often wear dance trainers.
History
[edit]1.jpg)
The precise origins of line dancing are not entirely clear.[3] Of the confusion, music historian Christy Lane has stated that "If you were to ask 10 people with some knowledge of when line dancing began, you'd probably get 10 different answers".[2] By and large, the growth and popularity of line dancing has mainly been tied to country and western music.[3]
It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s.[2][3] Throughout the 1860s–1890s, the style that would later be known as country–western dance began to emerge from these dances. Schools in the United States began to incorporate dancing, particularly folk dancing, into physical education classes in the 1900s, which popularized folk and country dancing as a social activity. Finally, servicemen returning from World War I and World War II sometimes brought European dances back to the United States, incorporating elements into American dance styles.[2]
1950s–1970s: development of style
[edit]One of the first true line dances was the Madison, a novelty dance created and first danced in Columbus, Ohio, in 1957.[4] The local popularity of the dance and record in Baltimore, Maryland, came to the attention of the producers of The Buddy Deane Show in 1960, which led to other dance shows picking it up.[5] The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.[6][7]
During the disco music era of the 1970s, numerous new dance styles emerged, including many line dances choreographed to disco songs.[2][3] The "L.A. Hustle", a modified version of the Madison, began in a small Los Angeles disco in the summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in the spring of 1976 as the "Bus Stop".[8][9] Another 70s line dance is the Nutbush, performed to Tina Turner's song "Nutbush City Limits".[10][11] The popular dance Electric Slide, associated with the song "Electric Boogie," was created in 1976. The song "Electric Boogie" was originally released by Marcia Griffiths in December 1982. It was written by Bunny Wailer exclusively for Griffiths, reaching the top spots in popularity in Jamaica in early1983, achieving moderate international success. In 1989, the song was remixed and re-released, this time gaining significant popularity. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming Griffiths' most successful single. The song also helped popularize the "electric slide" dance. [1][12]
The release of the film Saturday Night Fever in 1977 took disco and its associated dance styles to a new height of popularity.[13]
Line dancing to country music also became popular during this era, with two notable dances dating to 1972: the Walkin' Wazi and the Cowboy Boogie.[1][14][15][16]
1980s–present
[edit]
The 1980 film Urban Cowboy caused a trend for country and western culture, particularly the associated dance, music, and clothing.[2] Over a dozen line dances were created for country songs during the 1980s.[10] Many other early line dances were adaptations of disco line dance.[17] The Chicken Dance is an example of a line dance adopted by the Mod revival during the 1980s.[18]
The music video for the 1990 Billy Ray Cyrus song "Achy Breaky Heart" has been credited for launching line dancing into the mainstream.[2][19][20][21]
In the 1990s, the hit Spanish dance song "Macarena" inspired a popular line dance.[22]
A line dance for the 1990 Asleep at the Wheel single "Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader.[23][24] The 1992 Brooks & Dunn cover of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title.[25] Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 hit "Achy Breaky Heart" helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness.[2] In 1994 choreographer Max Perry had a worldwide dance hit with "Swamp Thang" for the song "Swamp Thing" by The Grid.[citation needed] This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of line dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid-1990s period, country western music was significantly influenced by the popularity of line dancing.[26]
Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson Szymanski, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1997, the band Steps created further interest outside of the U.S. with the techno dance song "5,6,7,8". In 1999, American retailer Gap Inc. debuted the "Khaki Country" ad at that year's Academy Awards ceremony, in which line dancers performed to the 1999 version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Dwight Yoakam.[27]
The arrival of the Country Music Television channel to Europe fed the popularity of line dancing there.[28][29] In 2008, line dancing gained the attention of the French government.[30]
Based on per capita ranking of MeetUp Groups in the US, Durham, N.C. was declared the line dancing capital of America in 2014.[31]
Wall
[edit]
Each dance is said to consist of a number of walls. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back, or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, face in a direction halfway between two walls. At the end of the sequence, they will face the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference.[2]
- In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning (either no turn or a full turn, 360 degrees).
- In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set (half turn). The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.[citation needed]
- In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning (quarter turn). As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. In some dances, they turn 270 degrees, a "three-quarter turn," to face the new wall.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Knight, Gladys L. (2014). Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture, p.102. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313398834.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lane, Christy (2000/1995). Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing, p.2-4. Human Kinetics. ISBN 9780736000673.
- ^ a b c d e Zakrajsek, Dorothy; Carnes, Lois; and Pettigrew, Frank E. (2003). Quality Lesson Plans for Secondary Physical Education, Volume 1, p.188. Human Kinetics. ISBN 9780736044851.
- ^ "Madison 1". www.columbusmusichistory.com. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
- ^ Malnig, Julie (2008), Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader, University of Illinois Press, p. 192, ISBN 978-0-252-07565-0
- ^ Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892
- ^ "retrieved 1.2011". Renez.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6
- ^ "The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27
- ^ a b Marayong. "History & definition of linedancing". Roots-boots.net. Archived from the original on 2007-05-13. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ Baxter, Lauren (1 February 2019). "WTF Australia: Turns Out We Are The Only Country That Does The 'Nutbush' Dance". The Music. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ Silver, Ric. "This is 'The Electric' - The Complete Choreography". The-electricslidedance.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
- ^ "original step sheet" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ "more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi". Dorisvolz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken". Dorisvolz.com. 1999-06-01. Archived from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.
- ^ "see Blair statement". Wcs-dancer.com. 1988-10-01. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ "Line dancing refuses to go out of style". Star-News. October 30, 1992. Retrieved August 12, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Stepping to country fun". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City). April 17, 1993. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ "This time around, the country craze proves to have some staying power". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. June 13, 1995. Retrieved August 12, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Clark, Walter Aaron (2013-02-01). From Tejano to Tango: Essays on Latin American Popular Music. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-53687-8.
- ^ "Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers". Billbader.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ "Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader". Billbader.com. 2004-03-07. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ ""Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit". Kickit.to. 2011-05-27. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ The Roots of Country Music Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994
- ^ "GAP a-Go-Go | Dance Magazine | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. ISBN 1-57912-049-0
- ^ "CMT Europe clips". .tv-ark.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ "OUI-Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control - Times Online". Archived from the original on 2008-07-12. Retrieved 2008-12-15. Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control
- ^ Time. Sept. 8-15, 2014. page 43.
