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10,000 BCE
Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age)
During this early time in history, humans lived in caves and depended on hunting using weapons they made by hand. Their weapons and tools were made by natural resources. They created art by using stone tools to carve into rocks and bones. -
9999 BCE
Neolithic Period (New Stone Age)
Humans began to shift from hunters and living in caves to creating civilization and moving around the world. They started creating new sufficient tools such as blades, axes, arrowheads, and more. Humans also taking part in agriculture. They took part in dancing as well, evidence of their drawings on pottery and rocks. -
1600 BCE
Baroque Ages
The Baroque Era is considered to be a time of revolution for music and painting. Due to Italy's origin of Baroque style of music, it spread throughout Europe. Italian Alessandro Scarlatti was one of the 1st composers, known for his operas. Baroque music spread quickly to Germany, & musicians added new elements to the style. German School of Baroque Music opened, influencing more. Later on, Johann Bach went into spotlight as a musical genius, known for many compositions like "Goldberg Variations" -
700 BCE
Ancient Greece
Greeks are known for their advancement in literature, philosophy, drama, mathematics, and more. They were fond of competitions, such as their Olympic Games and Pythian Games (who could write the best plays/poetry). Aeschylus of Athens was the first writer of tragedy and real drama. Greeks honored their Gods, and often had rituals for them (ex. Dionysus). War between Athens & Sparta-Peloponnesian War (taken place after Persian War) Sparta feared power from Athenians. Athens lost due to a plague. -
500 BCE
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome is known for their military, architecture, arts, and more. Romans enjoyed dramatic plays like Greeks, except enjoyed more "dark" themes. They enjoyed fighting- Gladiators who fought in public. These professional fights were performed in the Colosseum until death-400k people. In 45 BC Julius Caesar took over Roman Republic. By time of Empire, Rome became a cosmopolitan city. Due to brutal performances, arts declined. Christian church's banned performances such as theatre and dancing. -
476 BCE
Medieval Era (Middle Ages)
After the fall of the Roman-Empire, Europe fell into "dark ages." Wars broke out over holy sites, such as the First & Second crusades. The 100yr War began in 1337 between France and Europe, much conflict. Famine and pandemics also spread, the Black Plague in 1376, killing over 20 mil people in 5yrs. After the dark ages, Europe went into a Renaissance. They had a new sense of self-worth & humanism spread, enticing others to make human achievements in education, literature, arts, and science. -
Tap
Tap is an American dance style where rhythms are made from the soles of tap shoes. Earliest influence of tap dance were from slaves and Levee dancers. Western Europeans were also an influence. Master Juba, Buck and Bubbles and Nicholas Brothers were early tap dancers that led the way for tap popularity. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Gene Kelly & Fred Astaire brought tap mainstream through Broadway. Gregory Hines and Savion Glover are tap dancers that influence modern day tap. -
Early Romantic Ballet
Romanticism was a large movement during Romantic Ballet era. Strong feelings of emotion were emphasized, such as terror and awe. Ballet during this time tied with romanticism through fantasy storylines, with elements of etherealism and plots controlled by women taking men's hearts. Tuts were length of mid-calf & gave persona of otherworldliness. Pointe shoes gave a floating look to the dancers which helped their soft movements. 1840, Cult of Ballerina, women dominated ballet & men declined. -
Origins of Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, & Musical Theatre
African dance has influenced all styles of dance, w/their use of polyrhythm & social values in their dance. African Diaspora helped spread African culture, creating styles like jazz & tap. In the US around the Civil War, minstrel shows had diaspora influence due to whites making fun of slaves & blacks performed their originality. Christy's Minstrels created 3-act form. Vaudeville had variety of shows w/dancers, musicians, comedy, etc. Tony Pastor made them PG. Charlie Chaplin came from Vaude. -
Jazz
Jazz is an American dance style developed from technique by African Americans from Vernacular, Minstrel, Vaudeville and slave dance. Fathers of jazz include Jack Cole (theatrical) & Luigi (technique). Bob Fosse triple award winner, has a style of turned in knees & costumes w/hates, gloves & show off legs. Gus Giodarno believed in power from the gut & to be grounded. Jerome Robbins performed in Broadway, known for West Side Story. Mia Michaels mix of many styles,did not seek traditional dancers. -
Classic Ballet
Classical ballet developed through lack of interest of fantasy and focus on formality & royalty. Characteristics include blend of French style & Italian technique, fancy sets/costumes, virtuous technique, & long performances. Marius Petipa, ballet master, is credited to renovating classical ballet by restaging ballets from Romantic era (Swan Lake) that are still seen today. Composers such as Tchaikovsky, collaborated with choreographers to create dramatic music along with the ballet movements. -
Neoclassical Ballet
Neoclassical (modern) Ballet started in America thanks to George Balanchine who personalized & created this style. It was a response to excess romanticism & focused on simplicity & technique. Costumes were often only leotards and/or tuts & pointe shoes. Balanchine & Lincoln Kirsten moved to America to open the NYC Ballet & train dancers this style. Antony Tudor influenced American ballet for his psychological choreography. Arthur Mitchel was 1st Afr. American ballet dancer & inspired others too -
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hip is a large culture developed throughout New York City in 1970s. It began as a rebellion & recreation of disco. The main elements of Hip-Hip is DJing, Mcing, breaking and graffiti. The father of Hip-Hip, Dj Kool Herc, was the first to combine DJ and breaking which eventually led to all elements intertwining. Graffiti existed before hip-hop, but the culture adopted it since some artists became apart of Hip-Hop, such as rap. Urban dance is not hip-hop, it stems from racial connotations. -
Classic Modern
Modern dance is an expressive style usually led by emotion rather than codified technique. Modern dance characteristics were first seen with Isadora Duncan, in which she incorporated interpretive dance &natural movements. Martha Graham is considered a pioneer of modern dance due to her belief in movements of the human body & innovation. Her dance works were intense with dark emotion. Contract & release was one of her main movements. Doris Humphrey contributed to modern with fall & release. -
Contemporary Moderns
During this time, post-modern dancers developed a "newer" style of modern dance called, "contemporary." This word is problematic since not all cont. dancers have the same style but is seen as one via mass media. Several creative dancers still have traditional theories of modern into contemporary. Mark Morris treats dancers equally in his works no matter size/gender. Others such as Bill Jones, uses cont/modern to explore humanity issues at large. Liz Lerman opened school for community to train.
