Product Description
Teach these Mexican songs in the classroom and your students will enjoy dancing. Titles are: La Bamba * La Burrita (The Little Donkey) * Chiapanecas (Clap Hands Dance) * Chihuahua * La Cucaracha * La Jesusita * La Raspa. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Godsend
We do the annual 5 de Mayo celebration and our candidates for queen usually do a folkloric dance number as part of the pageant.This year our instructor broke her foot and I had to step in and teach the girls a dance.This book was a godsend.The steps are easy and I am sure they will look great on stage.

Mexican Folk Dances (World Dance Series)
Explaining the dances could be a little more detailed. Perhaps a slower tempo of each song with a cue as to when to start after the intoduction, ques for turning, etc. A dvd video of someone performing the dance would be an excellent additionto the package! Otherwise, my students and I made it work.. and have benefitted from the book, dance and music. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must-have classic for dancers and callers.
Complete guide to square and folk dancing for teachers, dancers and callers. Spans the interests from novice to experienced dancers. More than 90 dances. All terms defined with calls, steps and some music. Unique section on senior citizen square dances. ... Read more

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A guide to 100 of the most popular traditional and modern reels as well as common ceilidh and party dances, with explanations of the basic steps and formations and illustrations showing progressions. ... Read more

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This is the story of English Country Dance, from its 18th century roots in the English cities and countryside, to its transatlantic leap to the U.S. in the 20th century, told by not only a renowned historian but also a folk dancer, who has both immersed himself in the rich history of the folk tradition and rehearsed its steps.

In City Folk, Daniel J. Walkowitz argues that the history of country and folk dancing in America is deeply intermeshed with that of political liberalism and the ‘old left.’ He situates folk dancing within surprisingly diverse contexts, from progressive era reform, and playground and school movements, to the changes in consumer culture, and the project of a modernizing, cosmopolitan middle class society.

Tracing the spread of folk dancing, with particular emphases on English Country Dance, International Folk Dance, and Contra, Walkowitz connects the history of folk dance to social and international political influences in America. Through archival research, oral histories, and ethnography of dance communities, City Folk allows dancers and dancing bodies to speak. From the norms of the first half of the century, marked strongly by Anglo-Saxon traditions, to the Cold War nationalism of the post-war era, and finally on to the counterculture movements of the 1970s, City Folk injects the riveting history of folk dance in the middle of the story of modern America.

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B> Setting dance within a cultural context that is both understandable and interesting, this insightful reference captures the true art form of dance and traces the activity of dance as it existed down through the ages and all over the world.Beginning with the origins of dance and moving on to what takes place on Western dance stages today, this volume offers a sweeping overview of primitive, ethnic, and folk dance forms ... examines the major branches of Western dance art including ballet from its inception in 16th century Europe, modern dance, jazz, avant-garde, and the international eclectic contemporary scene ... tracks the repertory, technical training of performers, and creative theory of the many traditions that unify this art form ... includes discussions of significant dancers, their contributions, and the performers that inspired them; the background of period styles; pertinent ideas of major choreographers; capsule biographies of outstanding dance artists; effects of music and design on choreography; national characteristics of dance; the psychology of performers; and coverage on such concepts as Classic, Romantic, and Avant-garde to clarify trends and invoke thought on the Dance Art and society ... and makes many comparisons to current day events.Suitable for anyone involved or interested in dance history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

...
Book contains a wealth of information, but is overwritten and contains numerous extraneous rabbit-trails of information from the author that are more opinion than fact.

The Best Book Ever Written
This book has brought me back from the cusp of darkness to a state of enlightened euphoria in which I shall remain forever. If you do not own this book, you will be condemned to a firey hell. ... Read more

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This hilariously uplifting memoir follows an Arab American woman's merry life as she shimmies her way from getting dumped by her tattoo-artist boyfriend to coming to grips with being single, ample, and 30. Feeling lost and heartbroken, Anne Thomas Soffee moves back home to Richmond, Virginia. Against the wishes of her extended family and friends, she enrolls in a belly dancing class hoping to heal her heart and reconnect with her Lebanese roots. Her life is never the same after she discovers the riotous world of American belly dancing, a warm and welcoming subculture where younger and thinner are not necessarily better. Wildly funny adventures ensue as a newly confident Soffee embarks on romantic adventures with a domineering sheik and a beautiful Lebanese boy-next-door. Among the zils (finger cymbals) and thrills of attending classes and performing in moose lodges and county fairs, Soffee is surprised to find happiness and true love along the way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (53)

I don't think she ever got better. And repetative too
I couldn't aspire to ever want to be here nor understand her memoir. And perhaps we weren't suppose to.

I enjoyed her dry wit but she goes on WAY too much about her insecurities as a half-lebonese and in the end still has no identity. So just how did BD help her? Glad she had a few good times. Thanks for sharing your story but I won't be reading it again.

Disappointment
i bought the 307 pages long book a few years ago but could never get into it and always ended up putting it to the side.
A few days ago i picked it again and started trying to read it.... Still couldn't get into it. but this time i jumped the chapters and finally got to the last page...
i picked up the book because the cover promised it's about an Arab-American, something i could relate to. From the description i assumed- i guess its my mistake for always falling for the cover description- that the memoir is about a spiritual journey of a female wanting to connect with her roots... there is hardy any of the two!!

from the description i had hoped she would claim belly dance as a way to connect with her femininity... in fact there aren't many deep thoughts or feelings regarding BD.

The lady is all about wanting to get married... as soon as she finds a datable man she starts day dreaming of being married to him.. nothing wrong with that i suppose... The book, like so many other books geared towards women promises a happily ever after ending..

i am disappointed that she does not distinguish between Middle Eastern belly dancers..somehave made Belly dancing an Art, such as Samia Jamal and some of totally sexualized the dance, more than it already is, such as Dina, who dances in very very short dressed and occasionally forgets to wear panties..( it was caught on tape)

Contrary to her knowledge and her ill research in the regards:
Q8i (which spells out Kuwaiti = a person from Kuwait) is very different from a person being from saudi or Qatar... though they are neighboring countries.
red/white kaffiya is only used in Saudi Arabia and is called a ghutra. so for a person from the UAE to wear would almost never happen!! the word Kaffiya is used only on the Lebanese/ syrian/ Palestinian head gear ..
Men from Arab gulf area prefer yellow Ford Mustang, not a T-bird. back when the book was written one could bet and almost always win that of a yellow ford Mustang pulled over next to you the driver would be a gulfie...

finally, her whole stereotyping of Muslims and people from the gulf is just ashame.

Great read
I thought this book was funny and real.We meet a lot of people in our life time some are here to stay and some only come into our life for a reason and in between those times we do some really crazy things. LOL!!!I guess what I'm trying to say is that Snake Hips really brought home the truth of the matter, that living your life is never a plan it's how you deal with those things that sneaks in and smashes your plans all to hell.Like they said Life is what happens when you're making plans.
One thing though I really wished that Anne would have went more into detail about the guy she ended up with; that part was a little too rushed.Other than that this book was great.

A very funny book
I really love this book. I take belly dance classes through the Adult education system in a nearby town. I do it for fun and exercise and i have been known to dance in a few Haflas now and then with my class mates.
This book made me laugh alot. At life and at the "characters" in it.
I like Anne's sense of humor and I can relate to her whole story more than i care to admit.She takes life ,with all it's knocks and shimmys her way through it. I highly recommond this book and I personally am looking forward to reading the next one.

Tremendous Must Read for All Dancers - or anyone with humor!
One of my dancer friends gave me this book, and I read it after several months of hanging onto it.It was WONDERFUL!I am ordering numerous copies for several of my dance friends.It is very well written, and astonishingly, incorporates ALL of the cast of characters in my local dance community.The witty style of writting is marvelous!I laughed my buttocks off!I actually feel eternally indebted to Anne Thomas Souffee.This is one of those books that will resonate with situations in my life for decades to come. ... Read more

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Describes Irish Step dancing, including history and basic steps. ... Read more

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Welcome to Irish Dancing!
This chapter book is all about Irish dancing! A must have for an Irish dancer beginner or someone who might want to learn to Irish dance. The photos are really nice and in between the chapters which are only a few pages long are interesting facts. This book was done with the help of Shamrock School of Irish Step dance andO'Shea Irish dance so you know the information will be correct! Enjoy!!!!

Here are the chapters:
Irish Dancing at a Glance: - Irish roots

Getting Started - curly competitors, what to wear and shoes Ghillies or Hard shoes

Different Dances - Jig, Reel, Hornpipe and set dances

Let's Dance - basic positions - Jump Threes, Hop Threes, Sevens and Scissors

Getting Good - Fancy footwork.

This book includes beautiful photos, a glossary, fast facts, read more more books on Irish dancing and an Internet site from the publisher. ... Read more

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Discusses how folk dancing began and why it remains popular. Includes instructions for several dances from various countries. ... Read more

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This book includes 72 waltzes arranged for folk instruments such as fiddle, mandolin, flute, recorder, and others. Suggested chords for accompaniment are included for most selections. These waltzes were compiled and edited by Ryan Thomson from various dance traditions including: Celtic, American, Scandinavian, and European. The book is 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" in size, and spiral bound for easy use on a music stand. ... Read more