Autism: May I have this Waltz?

Blog Post 4

European Dances are also divided into two categories of folk dances and formal dances.

Each country had their own national folk dance and some countries even have multiple national folk dances. However, probably the most recognizable fold dance is the Irish Step dance. This particular dance was made incredibly popular by Michael Flatley and his Riverdance Troupe. Mr. Flatley’s use of traditional Irish step, theatrics that follow traditional Irish storylines, dance battles. Flashy coustumes, traditional Irish music in between dances made the troupe a sensation enjoyed worldwide.

Again, because of the sheer number of countries and regions within those countries, I could spend a considerable amount of time explaining each folk dance. Therefore I will stick to the formal dances.

As for the formal dances the list is much shorter. These dances consist of the *Waltz and the Viennese Waltz.

*The Waltz is considered to be a folk and formal dance.

The Waltz is a dance that many people can easily recognize. It is the epitome of classic ballroom dancing. It is also one of the oldest. The earliest known beginning of the Waltz is from around the 16^thcentury in Ausburg, Germany, hence the name “waltz”. The Waltz is danced in ¾ time which means the steps follow a slow-quick-quick tempo. Despite the seemingly fast-paced timing of the dance the Waltz is a slow moving dance that gives the illusion of the dancers floating on the floor. There is also a staggering of levels when dancing the waltz meaning there is noticeable up and down movement of the dancers. This help to propel the dancers across the floor.

Contrary, the Viennese Waltz is much quicker and the level are more consistently up than the traditional Waltz. The Viennese Waltz came about during the second part of the 18^thcentury. While this dance is not the oldest dance it is the oldest truly formal dance. At the beginning of the Viennese Waltz, the dance was considered to be extremely inappropriate and provocative. This is because of the requirement for the dancers to be exceedingly close to one another in order to dance the faster dance. Being that close to the opposite sex in public during that time was scandalous and outrageous.