Dance and Its Music in America, 1528-1789

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 697 pages
• Published by: Pendragon Pr August 30, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1576471276
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1576471272
• Book Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 2.8 pounds

Product Description
Beginning with Toya Indian dances in Florida and the Matachines dance-drama in the Southwest, and moving to ordination balls, pantomimes, Black election celebrations and country dances called Burgoyne s Surrender and Washington s Resignation, this study presents dance in the North American lands that would become the United States of America as a powerful yet ephemeral medium of communication and social dynamics. It integrates the History of dance and its music into cultural, commercial, and aesthetic aspects of life in the New World, both for established native societies and newcomers. Special topics include dance as a metaphor and preparation for battle, Yankee peddlers of dance and their publications, French connections, Spanish influences, dance on board ships, in Religion and in the military, and Negro jigs, the Virginia Reel, and mumming traditions. Included is the colorful History of theatrical dancers who performed on the boards from Portsmouth to Charleston and competitive dancers in early versions of today s Scottish games. The core of the book is a state-by-state narrative of dance and dance music in each colony or territory from Maine to California. Thoroughly documented with extensive period quotations, illustrations, footnotes, bibliography and a detailed index, this study integrates much new information with a new way of looking at dance as a phenomenon that was both re-creative and manipulative, commercial and personal, and pleasurable and painful to those who participated.

Reader Reviews
Written by music and dance expert Kate Van Winkle Keller, whose many accomplishments include service as choreographer for the film "The Last of the Mohicans", Dance and Its Music in America, 1528-1789 is an in-depth history and analysis of dances and dance music in America during the era of Spanish, French, and English exploration and settlement. Timelines, a scattering of black-and-white illustrations reproducing vintage artworks and handwritten musical scores, bibliographical references and an index enhance this thoughtful city-by-city, region-by-region history. "At some point, the May King took on the name and attributes of a Delaware Indian Chief named Tammany (?1625-?1701). Subject of many myths, Tammany was credited with supernatural exploits and was chosen in the 1770s as the figurehead of May Day ceremonies that combined elements of British May Day and seasonal visiting traditions with Native American references, the patriotic resistance movement, and dancing." A studious and thorough chronicle of early American music and dance, accessible to lay readers and historians alike. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)