European Dance: Ireland, Poland, Spain and Greece (World of Dance)

Long before people learned to write or build cities, they danced to communicate with their gods, bring luck, banish evil, and mark life's passages. Today's well-known folk dances have developed over centuries of struggle and celebration. This new edition of European Dance: Ireland, Poland, Spain, and Greece looks at the folk dances of four peoples: the accomplished and athletic step dance of Ireland, the lively and lyrical group dances of Poland, the communal dances of the villages of Greece, and the proud and fiery dances of Spain. In tracing the roots of these dance traditions, readers can learn how the histories of these countries became intricately woven with the development of their dances Content: Cover; Contents; Introduction; Foreword; 1: The Roots of Irish Dancing; 2: The Development of Modern Irish Dancing; 3: Irish Dance in the Twentieth Century; 4: The Roots of Polish Dancing; 5: From the Fields to the Palaces and Back; 6: Poland and Its Culture Survive; 7: Greek Dance through the Ages; 8: Greek Dance Today; 9: The Roots of Spanish Dancing; 10: The Origins of Flamenco; 11: Flamenco in the Twentieth Century; Chronology; Notes; Glossary; Bibliography; Further Resources; Picture Credits; Index; About the Author and Consulting Editor. A series focusing on the rich varieties of dance from countries and continents around the world including those of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as various dance styles including modern dance, ballet and popular dance from ballroom to hip-hop. Describes the history, techniques, and cultural significance of traditional Spanish, Polish, and Irish dances, and includes a glossary, chronology, videography, bibliography, and annotated list of Web sites Introduces The History, Methods Of Teaching, Ceremonial Styles, Basic Steps, And Famous Figures Of Traditional Irish, Polish, Greek, And Spanish Dance. Introduces the history, methods of teaching, ceremonial styles, basic steps, and famous figures of traditional Irish, Polish, Spanish and Greek dance