The People’s Dance : The Power and Politics of Guangchang Wu

This book presents an analysis of how the grassroots movement of Guangchang Wu or 'square dance' in China has become a national phenomenon. Through oral narratives offering rich descriptions of lived encounters, the experiences of those involved in leading, organizing, teaching and learning Guangchang Wu are revealed. Through these narratives, this book serves to understand the leadership practices occurring and how this dance practice is deeply rooted in the complexities of China's rapid economic development, acceleration of urbanisation, and the desire for a healthier and more communal lifestyle. Rose Martin is Associate Professor of Arts Education with a focus on Multiculturalism, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. Rose has extensive experience in research and teaching in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Her research interests include dance education; dance ethnography; dance in post-colonial contexts; dance and politics and cross-cultural dance education. Ruohan Chen is doctoral candidate in the Dance Studies Programme at University of Auckland, New Zealand. Ruohan is now working between the contexts of New Zealand and China. Her research interest centers on dance and politics in the context of contemporary China, dance ethnography, and cross-cultural dance education Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Introducing the People’s Dance (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 1-10 Urbanization, an Ageing Population, and Reform and Opening-up: The Socio-Political Context for Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 11-20 From Folk to on Mass Dance Practices: The Emergence of Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 21-32 Step, Hop, Shuffle: Artistic Practices of Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 33-47 The Collective, the Virtual, and the Chance: Teaching and Learning Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 49-64 The Inner Circle and the Outer Circle: Administration and Leadership of Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 65-75 Dance for the People: Community, Visibility and Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 77-88 Dancing the Politics of Harmony: The Impact of Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 89-97 Dancing into Hybridization: The Future of Guangchang Wu (Rose Martin, Ruohan Chen)....Pages 99-105 Back Matter ....Pages 107-122 Series Preface: Critical Studies in Dance Leadership and Inclusion 7 Acknowledgments 11 Translation Note 13 Contents 15 About the Authors 17 List of Figures 18 1 Introducing the People’s Dance 19 Methodological Considerations in Researching Guangchang Wu 23 References 27 2 Urbanization, an Ageing Population, and Reform and Opening-up: The Socio-Political Context for Guangchang Wu 29 References 35 3 From Folk to on Mass Dance Practices: The Emergence of Guangchang Wu 39 References 48 4 Step, Hop, Shuffle: Artistic Practices of Guangchang Wu 51 References 63 5 The Collective, the Virtual, and the Chance: Teaching and Learning Guangchang Wu 66 References 79 6 The Inner Circle and the Outer Circle: Administration and Leadership of Guangchang Wu 82 References 91 7 Dance for the People: Community, Visibility and Guangchang Wu 93 References 102 8 Dancing the Politics of Harmony: The Impact of Guangchang Wu 105 References 112 9 Dancing into Hybridization: The Future of Guangchang Wu 114 References 120 References 121 Index 133