Bamdad Dance In America

Dance is such a beautiful art because it is not only something that we, in America, share with each other, it is practiced world-wide. In Baghdad, there is one dance in school in particular that focuses on using dance to bring people together. The Baghdad School of Music and Ballet has given decade’s worth of children the opportunity to purse their dreams in the arts. The country of Iraq, which Bagdad is the capital of, has been at war for years which causes a lot of fear in the children who are only trying to go to dance class and enjoy their youth. It is different to the other school’s in Iraq because it gives boys and girls the opportunity to work together instead of being segregated into different classes based on their gender. Amongst
Hip hop originated in the Bronx in the 1970s and was referred to as “street dancing”. In an attempt to expand hip hop, there were tours that would go through the city and would show off their new dance moves. As the hip hop movement progressed through out the 20th century, so did the music that went along with it. The music seemed to slow down over time and stray away from super up-tempo beats. With this change in music, it allowed for the dance moves to progress as well. Hip hop was starting to be referred to as “free style” and was moving its way into pop culture. As soon as an actor, musician, etc. would do a simple movement such as the “running man”, it would lead to a nation-wide trend. Each of these new trends have resemblance to traditional African dancing which is what the roots of hip-hop are mostly based upon. Traditional African dances include Indlamu, Kpanlogo, Moribayasa, etc. which are typically danced to honor a god or bring you closer to loved one’s who have died. Other ways that hip hop have swept the nation is through television and movies. Shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew” have millions of viewers per episode and have large portions of the competition dedicated to hip hop. Also, in movies such as “Step Up” there is a love story depicted through singing and dancing. The dancing has movements from all styles but is most known for hip hop. Shows and movies like these are not just seen by dancers, but all types of people who enjoy watching a good performance. Hip hop has quickly reached a large audience, quicker than anyone expected. For starting as an underground hobby for some local aspiring dancers, hip hop has come a long way and has evolved into something