What is ribbon dance?
Ribbon dance is a general term referring to the various movement practices that incorporate the usage of handheld ribbons for performance and choreography.
What are the different types of ribbon dance?
The most common types of ribbon dance (or dance that incorporates ribbons) are:
- Chinese Ribbon Dance
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Praise Dance
- Interpretive/Lyrical Dance
- Belly Dance
- Ballet
- Maypole Dance
- Creative Movement
- Flash Mobs
- Dance Therapy
1. Traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance
Chinese Ribbon Dance has been performed throughout Asia for over 1,000 years. This form of dance is popular at many Chinese festivals and often performed by men, women, and children. Professional Chinese ribbon dancers have extensive classical Chinese dance training and acrobatic training. The Shen Yun Performing Arts Center describes classical Chinese dance as such:
Quote Source: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/chinese-dance
“Classical Chinese dance has a long history of thousands of years, passed down continuously within the imperial palace and ancient Chinese theater and opera. Soaking up profound wisdom from every era and dynasty, it has become a complete system of dance embodying traditional aesthetic principles with its unique dance movements, rhythms, and inner meaning.”
Traditional Classical Chinese dance incorporates many props, one of the most recognizable being dance ribbons.
2. Ribbon Dancing in Rhythmic Gymnastics
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a subdivision of gymnastics that focus on performing with 5 apparatuses:
- Rope
- Hoop
- Ball
- Clubs
- Ribbons
Rhythmic gymnasts are known for their impressive flexibility and agility.Rhythmic gymnastics is as close to art as an Olympic sport can get. Rhythmic gymnastics has flown under the radar for many years but has surged with popularity this decade due to the global exposure via social media. The sport is most commonly dominated by women, and will most likely include men in the future.
3. Praise Dance
For many Christians, praise dance is an opportunity to connect with God and considered a form of worship. Praise dance in Chrisitnaity usually involves long flowing clothing and/or pantomime attire. Praise dance usually is theatrical in nature and can be done as a solo or in a group. A sub-genre of praise dance, other than pantomime, is “Human Videos.” It is not uncommon for praise dancers to incorporate ribbons and flags to emphasize choreography.
4. Interpretive Dance/Lyrical Dance
Similar to praise dance, interpretive dance and lyrical dance are emotional performance styles that dramatize and personify song lyrics. Ribbons are commonly used in interpretive dance and lyrical dance to further exaggerate da dancer’s soft, flowy, silky quality.
5. Belly Dance
Belly dance is an ancient form of dance though to celebrate the feminine spirit. While belly dancer rarely uses traditional dance ribbons, belly dance utilizes veils and dance wings that have handles like a ribbon wand.
6. Ballet
Ballet, similar to rhythmic gymnastics and traditional Chinese dance, can incorporate dance ribbons. Young ballerina usually enrolls in pre-ballet classes that will utilize dance ribbons as a tool to teach the child musicality, coordination, hand articulation, and teamwork.
7. Maypole Dance
The following excerpt is a direct quote from Britannica:
“Maypole dance, ceremonial folk dance performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by the dancers. Such dances are survivals of ancient dances around a living tree as part of spring rites to ensure fertility. Typically performed on May Day (May 1), they also occur at midsummer in Scandinavia and at other festivals elsewhere. They are widely distributed through Europe—e.g., “Sellenger’s Round” in England, the baile del cordón of Spain—and also are found in India. Similar ribbon dances were performed in pre-Columbian Latin America and were later integrated into ritual dances of Hispanic origin. Maypoles may also appear in other ritual dances, as in the Basque ezpata dantza, or sword dance.”
Quote Source: https://www.britannica.com/art/Maypole-dance
8. Creative Movement
Creative movement is a dance with creativity as the primary driving force. While most genres of dance are performed with technical execution as the priority, creative dance prioritize the human movement experience.Creative movement is often practiced by children younger than 5 years old and thought to be a gateway to more formal dance training. Creative movement classes utilize dance ribbons as well as a multitude of other sensory-stimulating props.
9. Dance Therapy
Dance therapy is administered by a licensed dance therapist.
“Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is defined by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, for the purpose of improving health and well-being.”
Quote Source: https://adta.memberclicks.net/what-is-dancemovement-therapy
Dance therapists, similar to creative dance, incorporate the usage of dance ribbons for therapeutic healing. To learn more about dance therapy check out the video explaining dance therapy below.
10. Flash Mobs
Because ribbons are fun to manipulate and to watch – flash mob choreographers utilize props such as dance ribbons that can make simple movements more visually appealing and attention-grabbing. You might also see dance ribbons at music concerts festivals, and raves.
Are “circus dancers” “ribbon dancers”?
A Common Misconception
Many Believe Aerial Silk, often referred to as “silks,” is the same as ribbon dancing. Aerial artists are not ribbon dancers. The aerial silks you see at the circus are not actually silk. Though aerial silks appear to be large ribbons, they are completely different. The training an aerial artist undergoes vs. a ribbon dancer is vastly differing.
Conclusion
If you are inspired to learn more about ribbon dance make sure you subscribe to the dancedeja e-club and check out dancedeja ribbon dance tutorial videos on YouTube.
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