TYPES OF DANCES Artistic Dance To create and

TYPES OF DANCES • Artistic Dance • To create and perform a routine that conveys and evokes a meaning and emotion • Ceremonial Dance • purpose is to perform at a celebration (wedding- love, funerallife, etc. ) or ceremony (Native-American or African dances for hunting, war, rain, etc. ) • Recreational Dance • Dances that are performed in a social and fun setting (folk, line, etc. )

LATIN DANCE Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

MERENGUE • Lively, festive dance • Originated in the island of Santo Domingo • Located north of the Caribbean Sea • People from Haiti and the Dominican Republic have claimed the dance originated in their countries • These two countries share the same island of Santo Domingo

MERENGUE HISTORY • Both Haiti and Dominican Republic have legends that trace merengue dance steps to a war hero with a limp who danced in a stepping motion • In the 1930’s merengue was promoted by then-president of the Dominican Republic- Rafael Trujillo • It then became the country’s national music and dance

MERENGUE TECHNIQUE • Merengue dance steps have a limping appearance • Clap and count with the music, counting 1 -2 -3 -4, 1 -2 -3 -4 • Tempo and rhythm are similar to marching music and all the steps are on one beat • “Up and out”, “down and in” motion of the hip is important to the dance • When the knee bends, the hip on that same leg should drop

MERENGUE ATTIRE Traditional Costume Competition/Showcase Costume Traditional Costume