The Different Types of Irish Dances

Although a traditional Irishman is known to hate the 'stage Irishman', he is believed to hold a soft spot for dance. Thus, despite the efforts of the Church to condemn it, people continued to dance with fervor. In fact it is said, that the early dancers kept their arms straight to avoid begin caught by a passing priest. The world knows about Irish dances because of the popular Riverdance style that demands complex leg work. But Irish dance isn't all about just one style, there are several styles that are reflective of Celtic culture. Here is a list of styles that form an integral part of Irish culture.

Ceili Dancing: They can be broadly classified into informal and performing dance. The informal or social dancing can be further divided into ceili and set dancing. This is the most informal of all and often performed at fairs and cross roads and social functions. The crackdown of all forms of dance by the Catholic clergy literally destroyed this art form. The impact was so great that after the Gaelic Revival when the Gaelic League decided to resurrect, it was practically lost and new steps had to be codified.

Set Dancing: This is the more structured form of dancing. In an attempt to discourage dancing, the clergy decided to tone down the steps and standardize it to reflect Christian traditions. They also did not want the girls and boys to hold their hands together and hence asked them to hold their arms on their waist. It is performed by four couples who are arranged on the sides of a square. Dancers remain flat on their feet when dancing and avoid leaps and traveling movements. Another striking feature of these dances is the costume. The dresses are elaborate and involve use of elaborate designs that are inspired by Irish culture.

Sean-nós: This is most unregulated and liberated form of Irish dance and associated with Connemara. It is known to a visual expression of the music, wherein the dancer uses his arms, shoulders, hips and feet to accentuate the music. It is no surprise that the dancer has a close relationship with the musician.

Waltz: Although the waltz did not originate in Ireland, the Irish have surely contributed to its various adaptations. Thus well known dances like Stack of Barley, Day Gordons, Shoe the Donkey are a regular in almost every ceili and the Irish have come up dance solutions for these songs.

The author of this article loves to write about Irish dance forms and the different aspects related to the dance including Irish dance dresses and dance solutions.

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Capezio Dancewear for Different Dance Styles

The primary purpose of Capezio dancewear is to allow you to both look and move as a dancer. Capezio dancewear includes many different items, such as leotards, tights, tutus, wrap skirts, and of course, shoes. Dancewear must either accentuate or complement your body's movements while you dance.

For example, the graceful elegance of ballet should be apparent in every movement of your body, and to emphasize this fluidity you need the appropriate form-fitting ensemble. Capezio leotards and tights are designed to illustrate your body to the audience during every pirouette, jeté, and arabesque. Wrap skirts and tutus are specifically structured to draw attention to your legs and movement without distracting from your dance. And, pointe shoes, which are the most essential ballet accessory, are crafted to elongate your legs and feet and to enhance your dancing.

In tap dance, your costume may be flamboyant and bold, since the key element of your Capezio dancewear is your tap shoes. The audience's ears and eyes are automatically focused on your tapping feet. Tap shoes are the focal point of a tap dance performance, and as such, they must not clash with rest of your costume. The type of tap shoes you wear depends on your dance routine as well as you or your instructor's personal preference.

Modern dance does have as strict a dress code. Capezio dancewear for this genre is generally simple and understate, which represents its less rigidly stylized nature. Modern dance incorporates elements of ballet and jazz. And, similar to the wardrobe for ballet, your attire for modern dance should be form fitting to permit you to move your body in the appropriate ways. In a performance, you may wear a dance dress, which is basically a camisole leotard that has a light, sheer, flowing skirt attached to it. A dance dress is usually a solid color. The most notable staple of modern dance is the fact performers are usually barefooted. When you do modern dance, your bare feet and uncomplicated attire enhance your body's innate flexibility.

Modern dance also has less regimented rules about hairstyle. Tap and ballet generally require you to wear your hair up to highlight the lines of the neck, face, and shoulders; modern dance, on the other hand, only requires that you keep your hair back in practice, your hair may be loose or down in a performance, depending on the nature of the dance number. In dance, your hair do is an extension of your costume and it is styled accordingly

Capezio dancewear is not just your uniform, it is an extension of the dance itself.

NYDancewear.com is your go to shop for all your dancewear needs. You can find Capezio leotards and Mirella shoes here, for practice and for performances

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