Thursday a.m. Idea Post 10/29

Line Dance

Definition of a line dance is “a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the sex of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time.” Also included in the definition is that during the line dances the participants do not have physical contact with one another. Years ago line dances would require its participants to face each other or stand in a circle formation and follow the line leader around the dance floor while holding hands with the person that is standing next to you.
History
The earliest of folk dances were line dances and they began because men and women were not allowed to dance together. Today, Balkan countries still have a line dance tradition that has been in their country for quite some time now. Line dancing is frequently associated with country and western music however “line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970’s including pop, swing, rock and roll, latin, and Jazz. Some popular line dances from the mid 1900’s were the Madison from the 1950’s, Walkin’ Wazi and Cowboy Boogie which were both from 1972, the Tush Push in 1977, the L.A. Hustle in 1975, the Bus Stop in 1976, and the Nutbush from the 1970’s as well.
Terminology
There are a slew of terms that go along with the acts of line dancing. Basic means one repetition of the main dance, restart is when the dance sequence starts again from the beginning, and tag or bridge is inserted when needed in order to have the dance fit with the type of music playing. Chasse is a step where one foot moves to the side and the other foot moves to the side right after the first. Grapevine, weave, triple step, shuffle step, and lock step are all steps that are involved in different line dances.

Line Dance Tips

Line Dance Definition

Kick It Step Sheet