Many people think of dance as human communication at its most basic level.

Some form of dance can be

found in every culture, regardless of its location or stage of development. It is easy to see that dance is a
natural, universal human activity.

What is Dance?

Dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement.

Dance is a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement. This
movement has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers
within a particular culture.

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary dance is the movement of our body in a way that goes with
the rhythm and style of music that is being played.

Ballet was invented in 1459 in Italy for a royal wedding. At the banquet, the performers did dances
representing the dishes being served. For instance, imagine a ‘broccoli dance.' Ballet got a great boost in
the 1700s in France when King Louis XIV (14th) appeared on stage as a dancer. He founded the Paris
Opera Ballet in an old abandoned indoor tennis court. King Louis' teacher was a man named Pierre
Beauchamp who in 1671 became the first director of the first ballet training school in Paris. Pierre
Beauchamp invented the concept of 'turnout', which is what we now call the ‘five classical positions of
the feet'.

Dance Facts

History of Dance

From the earliest moments of known human history, dance accompanied ancient rituals, spiritual
gatherings and social events. As a conduit of trance, spiritual force, pleasure, expression, performance
and interaction, dance became infused into our nature from the earliest moments of our existence -
from the moment when first African tribes covered themselves in war-paint to the to the spreading of
music and dance across all four corners of the world. Without a doubt, dancing remains one of the most
expressive forms of communications that we know.

History and modern dance

The oldest proof of existence of dancing comes from the 9000 year old cave paintings that were found in
India, which depicts various scenes of hunting, childbirth, religious rites, burials and most importantly,
communal drinking and dancing. Since dancing itself cannot leave clearly identifiable archeological
artifacts that can be found today, scientist looked for secondary clues, written word, stone carvings,
paintings and similar artifacts. Period when dancing became widespread can be traced to the third
millennia BC, when Egyptians started using dance as integral parts of their religious ceremonies. Judging
by the many tomb paintings that survived the tooth of time, Egyptian priests used musical instruments
and dancers to mimic important events - stories of gods and cosmic patterns of moving stars and sun.

This tradition continued in ancient Greece, where dance was used very regular and openly to public
(which eventually brought the birth of the famous Greek theatre in 6th century BC). Ancient paintings
from 1st millennia clearly speak of many dance rituals in Greek culture, most notably the one before
start of each Olympian Games, precursor to the modern Olympic Games. As centuries went on, many
other religions infused dance in the core of their rituals, such as Hindu dance "Bharata Nhatyam" which
is preformed even today.

Of course, not all dances in those ancient times were intended for religious purposes. Ordinary people
used dance for celebration, entertainment, seduction and to induce the mood of frenzied exhilaration.
Annual celebration in honor of Greek god of wine Dionysus (and later Roman god Bacchus) included
dancing and drinking for several days. 1400BC year old Egyptian painting showed the group of scantily
dressed girls who danced for the wealthy male crowd, supported by the several musicians. This kind of
entertainment continued to be refined, until medieval times and the start of the Renaissance when
ballet became integral part of the wealthy class.

Dance tango history

European dances before the start of Renaissance were not widely documented, any only few isolated
fragments of their existence remain found today. The most basic "chain shaped" dance practiced by
commoners was most widespread across Europe, but the arrival of Renaissance and new forms of music
brought many other styles in fashion. Renaissance dances from Spain, France and Italy were soon
surpassed by Baroque dances which became widely popular in French and English courts. After the end
of French Revolution, many new types of dances emerged with focused on less restrictive woman
clothing, and tendency for skipping and jumping. These dances soon became even more energetic in
1844 with the beginning of so called "international polka craze" which also brought us the first
appearance of famous waltz.
After the short period of time when great ballroom masters created wave of complicated dances, the era
of modern day 2 person dance started with the careers of famous ballroom dances Vernon and Irene
Castle. After those early years of 20th century many modern dances were invented (Foxtrot, One-Step,
Tango, Charleston, Swing, Postmodern, Hip-hop, breakdancing and more) and the expansion of musical
brought those dances into worldwide popularity.

Types of Dance - Categories

Here are some of the most popular dance categories and types:

Ballroom Dances

These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early years of Renaissance. Popularity of this kind
of entertainment quickly swept over the Europe, United States and the World. Although many other
simpler and more easily preformed types of dances caused the ballroom dances to lose some of their
influence, modern worldwide dancing audience started resurrecting these immortal dances in ever
increasing pace.

Dance Traditional China

Waltz - This graceful and slow two person dance was first introduced in mid-19th century and was
greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer Johann Strauss. Today this dance represents
gold standard and the most famous dance of the ballrooms around the world.

Viennese Waltz - Original form of waltz, first performed at the Italian courts is today remembered as
Viennese Waltz. It differs from the much more famous "English Slow Waltz" by having much faster 180
beats per minute and was the first who introduced "closed hold" between performers.

Tango - Originally created in the Argentinean region of Rio de la Plata, this dance is today known by many
of its variations (Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango, Finish Tango and two types of Ballroom tangos -
standard and American) and the fascinating sensual and energetic style.
Cha-Cha-Cha - This incredibly rhythmic dance created in Latin America managed to meld together both
the slow and very energetic movements, making it an instant hit among the dancers around the world.

Rumba - Popularity of this Cuban dance came from its focus on sensual hip movements of dance
partners. Since its creation in 1930s many types of Rumba were created, most notably Cuban Rumba
(with the style of the African slaves which created it), Catalan Rumba (with Spanish flavor), Flamenco
Rumba and African Rumba.

Samba - Samba is a famous dance and musical genre that originated form the coast of Africa and land of
Brazil. Today infectious rhythm of Samba is regarded as the national dance of Brazil, and its famous
Brazilian Carnival gathers millions Samba dance fans every year.

Mambo - This Cuban dance that accompanies the music of the same name was introduced in 1930s, and
quickly managed to gain popularity with the exploits of famous musicians and dancers such as Perez
Prado, Benny Moré, Tongolele, Adalberto Martínez, Rosa Carmina and Lilia Prado.

Quickstep - Light-hearted and fast movement, powerful forms and syncopations, represent the core style
characteristics of the Quickstep, one of the most popular ballroom dances today in the world. Originally
developed in the 1920s dance scene of New York and the Caribbean, as the combination of the dances
such as Charleston, a slow variation of Foxtrot, Peabody, shag, and one-step. The smooth and glamorous
version of quickstep that is danced today across the world to 4/4 music beat of 48-52 measures per
minute was standardized in 1927.

Jive - Jive is one of the five most popular Latin dances and is also known under the names of swing,
boogie or boogie-woogie. It is considered to be one of the liveliest of all Latin dances, promoting the
happy and bloopy type of performances, with lots of knee movement and hip rocking. Its official
ballroom jive variation that is commonly danced at a speed of 176 beats per minute was formalized in
the 1990s.

Bolero - Bolero is an Argentine dance, but it also has different international variations of the same name
coming from Cuba and Spain. Today’s popular ballroom version of this dance is based on the Cuban
bolero, and it is also known under the name “rumba”. This 2/4 or 4/4 music with a tempo of around 120
beats per minute that is well known all around the world.

African-American and Traditional Jazz dances

Charleston - This extremely popular dance type was popularized by famous tune called "The Charleston"
by composer and pianist James P. Johnson. Charleston craze soon took over the enthusiastic dancers of
Prohibition era of United States.
Swing - This dance is today synonym for the jazz and swing music of the 1920s-1930s.Because of the
many styles of Jazz music, Swing also comes in many flavors - Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, West
Coast Swing and Rock and Roll.

Tap Dance - This extremely popular form of dance was first introduced during 1920s Prohibition era in
United States. Originally created by the African slaves, tap dancing came into the mainstream with the
performances of Nicholas brothers. Few short years later, tap dancing conquered Hollywood and then
entire world.

Moonwalk - This extremely famous dance move that emuates the illusion of walking backwards was first
performed by pop icon Michael Jackson in March of 1983, and ever since then it gained planetary fame.
No single dance move ever created managed to receive this amount of popularity and recognition.

Boogie-woogie - This quick and energetic style of dance became widely popular during 1930s and 1940s.

Worldwide Dances / Latin dances

Salsa - This Latin dance is today one of the most popular dances in Latin America, North America, Europe
and Australia. It's very sensual form, energetic movement and innovative choreography that was
influenced by Mambo, Changuyi and Rumba made it very popular all around the world.

Flamenco - This famous Spanish dance originated from the region of Andalusia, and it gained its name
only in 18th century. Its magical, passionate and energetic fusion of singing (cante), guitar playing
(toque), dance and handclaps (palmas) made it famous in entire world and became one of the accepted
heritages of entire humanity.

Argentine tango - Among many types of tango dance, Argentinian dance strives to preserve original form
of tango that was first created in the region of Rio de la Plata.

Lambada - This famous dance that originated from Para, Brayil became internationally popular during
1980s. It managed to successfully fuse aspects of Forro, salsa, merengue, maxixe and the carimbó into
unforgettable dance style.

Polka - Appearance of polka in mid-19th century created one of the largest "dance crazes" that our world
ever seen. It managed to influence countless other dances, became national dance of many European
countries and is extremely popular in entire Western hemisphere.

Jive

East Coast Swing - Swing dance has many variations, of which one of the most popular is the East Coast
Swing. This social partner dance is known today under names of Eastern Swing, Jitterbug, American
Swing, East Coast Lindy and Lindy originated between the 1940s and 1960s as the alternative to the
other types of harder-to-learn swing dances.

Capoeira - Capoeira dance is a unique dance that can be found in the combat moves of the Afro-Brazilian
martial art of the same name that takes heavy inspiration from music, dance, and acrobatics.
Practitioners of this martial art are famous for being highly athletic dancers who can take advantage of
dance-like moves to perform quick and complex maneuvers that can deliver a wide variety of kicks,
spins, jumps and other techniques used in combat. Today, Capoeira is famous as one of the most
celebrated cultural heritages of Brazil and South America.

Country/ Western Dances - - The country dance style is a social dance activity that is closely associated
with American country and its Western traditions. It is made not from a single dance but encompasses
many forms and styles of dance that can be performed to country-western music. No matter the type of
music style or dance type, Country dance gatherings employ strong dancefloor etiquette and even ability
to perform multiple dances styles on a dance floor at the single time.

Folk Dance - Folk dances represent musical, cultural heritage, reflections of daily life or ethnic history of
people who live in a certain region or country. Popular all around the world in hundreds of unique
variations and styles, folk dances (also known as traditional or ethnic dances) are usually performed at
dance gatherings with the accompaniment of traditional music of the region. Majority of folk dances are
not regulated, and they slowly morph during the passage of time.

Belly dance - Belly dance is one of the most famous oriental folk dances in the world. It is an expressive
form dance that originated from Egypt, and it emphasizes the complex movement of the torso and entire
body utilizing sudden percussive movements, unstopping fluid body motions and presence of small and
fast shimmies, shivers and vibrations of the hips or the ribcage. Belly dance is regarded as very sensual,
emotional and captivating.

Professional performance dance

Professional dancing was first introduced in the early years of Italian Renaissance when music, dance,
arts and poetry started to rise in popularity after the millennia of medieval stagnation. Refined by the
efforts of the France and Russia, ballet became the premier technical concert dance. Hailed as one of the
most revered and most complicated dance of all time, ballet continued its rise to worldwide domination.
In the modern times, many other professional dances came to be, such as Contemporary dance, Modern
Dance, Concert dance, but none of them managed to surpass the complexity, physical strain, and
heritage of ballet.

Ballet - Ballet is without any doubt one of the most highly technical and famous of all performance
dances. It was originally created in 15th century Renaissance Italy, but it received popularization in
countries such as France and Russia. It’s incredible popularity and influence has had a profound impact
on techniques found in many other dances, and has even morphed the cultural histories of many
countries around the world.

Contemporary dance - Contemporary dance is a highly complicated type of modern performance dance
that originated in the mid-20th century as an alternative to classical dance styles (such as ballet),
modern styles (free dance) and Jazz dance. Its focus on free leg movement, strong stress on the torso,
disordered choreography, unpredictability, multiple and simultaneous actions, improvisation, and non-
standardized costumes, sets, and lighting has pushed this dance into the forefront of modern art dance
scene.

Dance Ballerina

Concert Dance - Concert dance (also known as stage dance) is any choreographed dance that is
performed for an audience, usually at the theatre or an organized gathering setting with the presence of
set music. It is a polar opposite of social or participation dances, where participants can freely dance
how and when they wish. Most popular concert dances are Ballet, Acrobatic dance, tap dance, modern
dance, classical Indian or Persian dances and others.

Modern Dance - Modern dance is an influential performance dance that originated as a reaction against
the classical ballet and its movement style. Shaped by many factors in late 19th and early to mid-20th
century, modern dance evolved into a popular free dance style that includes elements of performance
art, release technique, improvisation and contact improvisation.

Tap Dance - Among many types of popular dances around the world, tap dance may be one of the most
unusual dances. Instead of focusing on body movements and dancing with a partner, tap dance is
characterized by the creation of percussion-like musically-focused rhythm performance using tap shoes
striking on the floor in accordance with the dancing music.

Modern Dances

Advancements in music technology brought the birth of many new types of dances. Introduction of
electronic and rock music brought the era of House, Punk, Rave and Disco dance. Faraway country of
India did not cared much for those styles, and in accordance to the deeply seeded religious beliefs, they
incorporated dance of their gods to everyday life and was and profitable Bollywood movie scene.

House dance - After the years of popularity of Disco, the genre of House music and house dance became
born in New York and Chicago clubs. Built on top of subtler rhythms, riffs of the music and influences of
jazz, Latin, soul, funk, R&B, and many other music styles, this social dance quickly found its way into
homes and clubs across the entire world.
Punk dance - Born as an extension of 1960s garage rock, the punk rock managed to attract fans who
enjoyed not traditional social dances of before, but more energetic and sometimes violent dance style of
moshing (sometimes called slam-dancing) and headbanging. This dance styles were characterized by the
strong and full body contact of live band audience, with frequent bumping and jostling both alone and in
groups.

Rave dance - Fueled by the unending focus on pulsating beats, loud volume and psychedelic music
effects, dancers of rave music are free to create their freestyle of movements, with no rules about dance
routines or synchronized moves, usually in dark and crowded venues of dance clubs, nightclubs, and
festivals. Dancers are encouraged to find inspiration in music, other people, and their mood.

Disco dance - The popular disco music genre of the 1970s would not found such popularity if it was not
so easy to dance with. Fans of this music often wore extravagant and sexy clothing while dancing free
form or structured versions of various disco dances, such as Bump, (several variations of) Hustle, Robot,
Boogaloo, Watergate, and others.

Bollywood dance - The cultural history of India and the rest of southern Asia would not remain the same
without the strong influence of Bollywood movie industry which has promoted Hindi dance music to the
world. Created as the mix of traditional Indian music, Hindi dance traditions of the Indian sub-continent,
and Middle-Eastern techniques, Bollywood dance is characterized by elaborate choreographies,
energetic movements, and dances that involve a large number of participants.

Hip-hop & Funk dance

Dancing style of Hip-Hop evolved from the music style that was first introduced during 1970s. Powered
by the great popularity, exposure in media, movies and television programs, hip-hop dances found a
great foothold in United States, France, United Kingdom and South Korea. A very similar style called Funk
was also created during 1970s, and is today regarded as one of the most influential pieces of Hip-hop
dance styles.

Breakdance (Breaking) - One of the most athletic dances in the world, Breakdance, have originally found
its popularity in the 1970s as the street dance in the New York’s Bronx. Since then it has spread all
around the world where it was viewed as one of the most unique dance styles ever made. Usually
danced solo, this dance requires talented dancers to perform the series of either choreographed or
freeform dance and athletic movements alongside usually breakbeat, hip-hop or funk music.

Bounce - Born in the 1980s as a mix of New Orleans hip-hop music and the traditions of the Mardi Gras
Indian chants, Bounce dance can today be danced both in its common and hypersexual form. Since it is
so closely connected with the traditions of the Mardi Gras culture, many forms of Bounce today remain
to be highly regional and can rarely be seen dancing outside of the music scenes of New Orleans, Miami,
Baltimore, and other music hubs.

Electric boogaloo - Funk style of hip-hop was popularized not only by its music but also by the worldwide
acceptance of the famous dance style called Electric Boogaloo, which was originally promoted in the
1970s by the dance group of the same name. Danced both by individuals and groups in both free form
and choreographed manner, Electric Boogaloo is filled with the wide variety of moves that focused on
the movement of legs, hips, knees and frequent use of exaggerated robotic-like moves.

Street Jazz - Created with the influences of African American slaves, Jazz dance gained popularity in the
early 20th century as any form of dance that was performed alongside then new Jazz music. Highly
improvisational and freeform, Jazz dance quickly morphed into a performance dance that emulated
elements of ballet. Today, Jazz dance is enjoyed in many forms which are collectively called “modern jazz
dance”.

Jookin' - Jookin’ or so-called “gangsta waling” style of dance is a street dance that originated quite
recently in the 1990s on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. The dance is characterized by the
movement set that tries to emulate the “bounce” in the core beat of the crunk music that often
accompanies this dance style. Even though this dance has found some popularity worldwide, it is still a
regional dance that can rarely be seen outside of the city of Memphis.

Locking - Funk dance is incredibly diverse, and one of its famous variations is “locking”. The core gimmick
of this style of hip-hop dance is to suddenly stop and hold the position (or get locked) in the middle of
dance routines for a short while, and then suddenly resume the dance. It requires full body motion, but
most of the dance is focused on top half of the body. Many Locking dancers prefer to use various
acrobatic and physically demanding moves to augment their dance routines.

Popping - Very close in style with popular Electric Boogaloo, Popping is another variation of the funk-
themed street dance from the 1960s and 1970s that found popularity all around the world. The
technique that dancers need to master to properly dance Popping is controlled and quick contrasting
and relaxing of muscles that will create the feeling of a jerk throughout the body. This jerk is referred as
“pop” or “hit” and can be used to augment dance routines, movements and possess.

10 Greatest Dancers of the Twentieth Century

The art of dance is a unique form of expression, employing a universal body language that everyone
understands. From ballet to contemporary, from hip-hop to salsa, and from oriental to flamenco, dance
is certainly enjoying something of a renaissance lately. But when it comes to individual dancers, who has
the best moves? The greatest poise, power, and poignancy? This list showcases ten of the greatest
dancers of the twentieth century—selected for their fame, popularity, and influence around the globe.

10. Vaslav Nijinsky

Vaslav Nijinsky was one of the most talented male ballet dancers in history; perhaps even the greatest.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any clear footage of his incredible talent in motion, which is the main reason
he ranks so low in this list.Nijinsky was well-known for his amazing ability to defy gravity with his
magnificent leaps, and also for his ability of intense characterization. He is also remembered for dancing
en pointe, a skill not commonly seen by male dancers. Nijinsky was paired in leading roles with
legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova. He was then partnered with Tamara Karsavina, a founder of London’s
Royal Academy of Dancing. He and Karsavina have been referred to as the “most exemplary artists of the
time.”Nijinsky retired from the stage in 1919, at the relatively young age of twenty-nine. His retirement
was believed to be brought on by a nervous breakdown, and he was also diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Nijinsky spent the last years of his life in psychiatric hospitals and asylums. He danced in public for the
very last time during the final days of World War Two, impressing a group of Russian soldiers with his
complex dancing abilities. Nijinsky died in London on April 8, 1950.

9. Martha Graham

Martha Graham is considered to be the mother of modern dance. She created the only fully-codified
modern dance technique, choreographed more than one hundred and fifty works during her lifetime,
and has had a remarkable impact on the entire field of modern dance. Her technique’s deviation from
classical ballet, and its use of specific body movements such as the contraction, release, and spiral, has
exerted a profound influence on the dancing world. Graham even went so far as to create a movement
“language” based upon the expressive capacity of the human body. She danced and choreographed for
over seventy years, and during that time was the first dancer to perform at the White House; the first
dancer to travel overseas as a cultural ambassador; and the first dancer to receive the highest civilian
award, the Medal of Freedom. As the mother of modern dance, she will be immortalized for her
intensely emotional performances, her unique choreography, and especially for her homegrown
technique.

8. Josephine Baker

Although Josephine Baker is primarily associated with the Jazz Age, her influence is still alive and kicking,
as it were, almost one hundred and ten years after her birth. Many decades before Madonna, Beyonce,
Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, there was Josephine Baker; one the world’s first
celebrities of African origin. Josephine traveled to Paris in 1925 to appear in La Revue Nègre. She made
quite an impression on French audiences, with her exotic charm and her talents forming a perfect
combination. She performed in the Folies Bergère the following year—and this was what really made her
career. She appeared wearing a skirt made of bananas, and wowed the crowds with her style of dancing.
She later added singing to her act, and remained popular in France for many years to come. Josephine
Baker returned the affection of the French people, becoming a French citizen herself in 1937. In France,
she did not feel the same level of racial prejudice that was prevalent in the United States at the time.
Near the end of her life, Josephine Baker hoped to create a “world village” at her estate in France, but
these plans collapsed under financial troubles. To raise funds, she returned to the stage. This comeback
involved a short but triumphant run on Broadway in the 1970s; and in 1975, she opened a retrospective
show in Paris. She died on that same year of a brain hemorrhage, a week after the show opened.

7. Kelly

Gene Kelly was one of the biggest stars and greatest innovators during Hollywood’s golden age of
musicals. Kelly considered his own style to be a hybrid of various approaches to dance, including
modern, ballet, and tap. Kelly brought dance to theaters, utilizing every inch of his set, every possible
surface, every sweeping camera angle to break out of the two-dimensional limitation of film. And by
doing this, he changed the way directors thought about the camera; it became a fluid tool, as much a
dancer itself as the things it was documenting. Kelly’s legacy permeates the music video industry. The
photographer Mike Salisbury photographed Michael Jackson for the cover of “Off the Wall” in the “Gene
Kelly white sox and loafers”—a signature look for the movie star, which would soon become the singer’s
own recognizable brand. Paula Abdul, originally known primarily for her dancing and choreography,
referenced Kelly’s famous dance with Jerry the Mouse in her kitschy video for “Opposites Attract,” which
includes a final tap-dance breakdown. Usher was yet another top-selling artist to pay explicit tribute to
Kelly. There will never be another like Kelly; his work continues to resonate with generation after
generation of American dancers.

6. Sylvie Guillem

At forty-eight, Sylvie Guillem continues to defy the laws of ballet—and of gravity. Guillem has changed
the face of ballet with her extraordinary gifts, which she has always used with intelligence, integrity and
sensitivity. Her natural curiosity and courage has led her down daring paths, beyond the usual
boundaries of classical ballet. Instead of spending her entire career in “safe” productions, she has made
bold choices, equally capable of performing at the Paris opera house as “Raymonda“, or as part of the
groundbreaking “In The Middle Somewhat Elevated” by Forsythe. Almost no other dancer has such
scope, and it is no wonder that she has become the model for most dancers around the world. Like
Maria Callas in the opera world, Guillem has re-shaped the popular image of the ballerina.

5. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was basically the man who made music videos a trend—and without a doubt the one
who made dancing an essential element of modern pop music. Jackson’s moves have now become
standard vocabulary in the pop and hip-hop routines. Most modern pop icons—such as Justin Bieber,
Usher, and Justin Timberlake—admit that they have been heavily influenced by Michael Jackson’s style.
His contributions to dance were original and extraordinary. Jackson was an innovator who was primarily
self-taught, designing new dance moves on his gifted frame without the often-limiting effects of formal
training. His natural grace, flexibility, and astonishing rhythm contributed to the creation of the “Jackson
style.” His collaborators called him “the sponge,” a nickname which referred to his knack for soaking up
ideas and techniques wherever he found them. Jackson’s chief inspirations were James Brown, Marcel
Marceau, Gene Kelly, and—perhaps surprisingly to many people—various classical ballet dancers.
Unbeknownst to many of his fans, he had previously tried to “pirouette like Baryshnikov” and “tap like
Fred Astaire,” and had failed miserably. His dedication to his own unique style, however, gave him the
glory he was looking for—and today he stands alongside the other giants of popular music, such as Elvis
and The Beatles, as one of the greatest pop icons of all time.

4. Joaquín Cortés

Joaquín Cortés is the youngest entry on this list—and even though he’s still in the process of building his
legacy, he’s one of the very few dancers in history who has managed to become a phenomenal sex
symbol, loved by men and women alike. Elle Macpherson described him as “sex on legs”; Madonna and
Jennifer Lopez publicly claimed to adore him; while Naomi Campbell and Mira Sorvino are among the
women whose hearts he has (allegedly) broken. It’s safe to say that Cortés is not just one of the greatest
Flamenco dancers alive, but also the one who cemented the Flamenco’s place in popular culture. His
male fans include Tarantino, Armani, Bertolucci, Al Pacino, Antonio Banderas, and Sting. Many of his fans
refer to him as a Flamenco God—or simply a Sex God—and when you get the chance to watch one of his
shows, you’ll be able to see why. But at the age of forty-four, Cortés remains single, stating that “Dancing
is my wife, my only woman.”

3. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

Astaire and Rogers were certainly a formidable pair of dancers. It’s said that “He gave her class, and she
gave him sex appeal.” They made dancing much more appealing to the masses during rather prudish
times. This perhaps owed something to the acting involved in the performance, as Rogers made dancing
with Astaire look like the most thrilling experience in the world.The timing was ideal, too; during the
Depression Era, many Americans were struggling to make ends meet—and these two dancers offered
many people a way to escape from reality for a while, and to have some fun.

2. Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time; many critics consider him to be the
greatest. Born in Latvia, Baryshnikov studied ballet at the Vaganova School in St. Petersburg (then known
as Leningrad) before joining the Kirov Ballet in 1967. Since then, he has held the lead role in dozens of
ballets. He played a key role in making ballet part of popular culture back in the late 1970s and early
‘80s, and he was the face of the art form for more than two decades. Baryshnikov is probably the most
influential dancer of our time.

1. Rudolf Nureyev

Baryshnikov captured the hearts of critics and fellow-dancers, but Rudolf Nureyev was the one who
managed to enthrall millions of ordinary people around the world. Born in Russia, he became a soloist
for the Kirov Ballet at the age of twenty. In 1961, when his life offstage made him the subject of scrutiny
from Russian authorities, he sought political asylum in Paris and then toured with the Grand Ballet du
Marquis de Cuevas. In the 1970s, he broke into film. Most critics claim that technically he wasn’t as good
as Baryshnikov, but Nureyev still managed to charm the crowds with his amazing charisma and his
emotional performances. Nureyev and Fonteyn’s “Romeo and Juliet” remains to this day one of the most
powerful and emotional performances by a dancing duo in the history of ballet. Unfortunately, Nureyev
was one of the early victims of HIV, and died from AIDS in 1993. Twenty years on, we can still witness the
incredible legacy he left behind him.

+ Donnie Burns

Donnie Burns is a Scottish professional ballroom dancer who specializes in Latin dance. He and former
dance partner Gaynor Fairweather were World Professional Latin champions a record sixteen times. He’s
the current president of the World Dance Council and also appeared on the twelfth season of Dancing
with the Stars. He’s considered the greatest ballroom dancer of all time, and his championship
performances with his partner are now considered to be classics. But things weren’t always so great for
Burns. During an interview with the Daily Sun, he admitted: “I never thought a wee boy from Hamilton
would ever experience a fraction of what I’ve gone through in life. I was relentlessly teased at school and
I used to get into fights because I wanted to prove I wasn’t a “Dancing Queen.”We are quite sure that he
wouldn’t mind the epithet commonly applied to him today; Donnie Burns is now widely thought of as
the “Dancing King.”

There are many forms of dance, from ballroom to barn dancing and disco to Morris dancing. Dance has
always been a part of human culture, rituals and celebrations. Today, most dancing is about recreation
and self-expression, although it can also be done as a competitive activity. Dancing is an enjoyable way
to be more physically active and stay fit.

Things to remember

Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Dancing can improve your muscle tone, strength, endurance and fitness.

Dancing is a great way to meet new friends.

See your doctor for a check-up if you have a medical condition, are overweight, are over 40 years of age
or are unfit.

Health benefits of dancing

Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical
and mental benefits including:

improved condition of your heart and lungs

increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness

increased aerobic fitness

improved muscle tone and strength

weight management

stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis

better coordination, agility and flexibility

improved balance and spatial awareness

increased physical confidence

improved mental functioning

improved general and psychological wellbeing

greater self-confidence and self-esteem

better social skills.

You can dance in a group, with a partner, or on your own. There are lots of different places where you
can enjoy dancing, for example, at dance schools, social venues, community halls and in your own home.
Dancing has become such a popular way to be active and keep fit, that most fitness clubs now offer
dance classes in their group exercise programs.

Dancing can be done both competitively and socially. It can be a great recreational and sporting choice,
because anyone of any age can take part. It doesn’t matter whether it is cold or raining, as dancing is
usually done indoors.

The gear you need for dancing will depend on the style of dancing you choose. For example, tap dancing
will involve buying tap shoes, whereas ballet will need ballet slippers and ballet clothing. To get started,
simply choose a style you enjoy, or would like to try, look in the or online for dance schools in your local
area and join a class.