Gombey dance is our topic for this week .. It is because this dance is not really popular, so we have decided to update about it.
Gombey Dance ?
It is an iconic symbol of Bermuda, this folklife tradition reflecting the island's blend of African, indigenous peoples, Carribeanand British cultures, incorporating them over time into a unique performance art full of colorful and intricate masquerade, dance, and drumming.
The dancers are usually male, and perform in groups of 10-30 though in modern times female groups have emerged. The traditions have been passed down orally from one generation to the next within families and the Captains of each troupe determine the direction of the troupe and style that is taught. Thus within troupes there can be found subtle but distinct differences in beats, dances, costumes, headdresses, by which they can each be recognized.
Interesting Facts about Gombey Dance ?
quite similar to Mummers that are a kind of seasonal folk play performed by troupes of actors during Afro-Caribbean styles of celebrations.
Gombey dance and music is the most popular one in the island compared to the other forms.
mixture of British, West African and indigenous new-world cultures.
it is quite similar to the dance traditions like Bahamian Goombay.
It actually refers to a specific type of drums of African origin.
Some also relate Gombay to a Bantu word standing for "rhythm".
Bermuda Dance
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The namsadang is a Korean itinerant troupe which consists of male performers who present various performing arts such as acrobatics, singing, dancing and playing like a circus. It is said that namsadang was spontaneously formed before 1900 during the Josean Dynasty and used to wander about marketplaces and villages.[1] The troupe was considered the lowest class in society along with cheonmin (vulgar commoners) or baekjeong (butchers), so that very few historical documents remain on them. However, since a record that a puppet show was performed during the Silla period has been found, it is assumed that similar types of itinerant companies appeared in Korean history a long time ago.
During the late Joseon Dynasty, there were several namsadang, but the one whose base was set in Cheongryongsa temple in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province was the most famous.They became called namsadang because the troupe were composed of only men and "nam"means a male in Korean. Later, a few female members were accepted to join in the group though.
TROUPE ORGANIZATION
Namsadang usually consisted of 40 ~ 50 members of all ages. The head of the group is called kkokdusoe and the second-in-command is called golbaengisoe (골뱅이쇠 [kolbɛŋiːsʰwe]). Underneath there were tteunsoe, gayeol, ppiri, jeoseungpae, and deungjimkkun. Tteunsoe is the head of the each performance or senior performer and gayeol is a performer. Ppiri is an apprentice. In addition, jeoseungpae refers to elderly members and deungjimkkun is porters.
The troupe was well-organized and strictly disciplined by rules. Because entertainers like singers or actors were often despised in that age, the troupe recruited its members among the orphans, poor farmers` children and sometimes even through kidnapping. They were not well-paid. Very often they were offered only meals and beds and a small amount of money. They had tough lives.
The troupe may have functioned as a homosexual community, with each member taking the role of Sutdongmo, "butch", or Yodongmo, "queen".
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The significance of namsadang nori can be found in its common touch. This came into existence spontaneously and performed for the poor farmers, folks, traders, and other middle-class and low-class people. It functioned as consolation for the public and gained high popularity among the general populace. And though it is not so refined as other Korean musical styles and dances. Kummu for the noble class, it may be seen as performance meant to convey and have most powerful appeal to emotion.
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honor special guests by the Chinese communities.
The Chinese lion dance is sometimes mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is normally operated by two dancers, while a dragon needs many people. Also, in a lion dance, the performers' faces are only seen occasionally, since they are inside the lion. In a dragon dance, the performers' faces can be easily seen since the dragon is held on poles. Chinese lion dance fundamental movements can be found in most Chinese martial arts.
There are two main forms of the Chinese lion dance, the Northern Lion and the Southern Lion. Both forms are commonly found in China, but around the world especially in South East Asia, the Southern Lion predominates as it was spread by the Chinese Diaspora communities who are historically mostly of Southern Chinese origin. Versions of the lion dance are also found in Japan, Korea, Tibet and Vietnam. Another form of lion dance exists in Indonesia culture, but it may be of a different tradition and can be referred to as Singa Barong.
REGIONAL TYPES
The two main types of lion dance in China are the Northern and Southern Lions. There are however also a number of local forms of lion dance in different regions of China, and some of these lions may have significantly differences in appearance, for example the Green Lion popular with the Hokkien people and Taiwanese. Other ethnic minorities groups in China may also have their own lion dances, for examples the lion dance of the Muslim minority in ShenqiuCountry in Henan Chinese lion dances usually involve two dancers but may also be performed by one. The larger lions manipulated by two persons may be referred to as great lions, and those manipulated by one person little lions. The performances may also be broadly divided into civil and martial styles. The civil style emphasizes the character and mimics and behaviour of the lion, while the martial style is focused on acrobatics and energetic movements.
There are related forms of dances with mask figures that represent mythical creatures such as the Qilinand Pixiu. The Qilin dance is most commonly performed by the Hakka people who were originally from northern China, but have largely settled in the south of China and southeast Asia in modern times.
Various forms of lion dance are also found widely in East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Vietnam, as well as among the communities in the Himalayan region.
MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS
The Chinese Lion Dance is performed accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gongs. Instruments synchronize to the lion dance movements and actions. Fut San, Hok San, Fut Hok, Chow Gar, etc. all play their beat differently. Each style plays a unique beat. Developments in electronic devices have allowed music to be played via phone/tablet/computer/mp3 player. This has contributed to the evolution of how people can play lion dance music - which eliminates the need to carry around instruments (which can be quite large).
COSTUMES
The lion dance costumes used in these performances can only be custom made in specialty craft shops in rural parts of China and have to be imported at considerable expense for most foreign countries outside Asia. For groups in Western countries, this is made possible through funds raised through subscriptions and pledges made by members of local cultural and business societies. For countries like Malaysia with a substantial Chinese population, local expertise may be available in making the "lion" costumes and musical instruments without having to import them from China.
ASSOCIATION WITH WUSHU/KUNG FU
The Chinese lion dance has close relations to Kung Fu and Wushu and the dancers are usually martial art members of the local kung fu club or school. They practice in their club and some train hard to master the skill as one of the disciplines of the martial art. In general, it is seen that if a school has a capable troupe with many 'lions', it demonstrates the success of the school. It is also generally practised together with Dragon Dance in some area.
Umbrella dance is a good dance to be updated. So, we hope you guys are interacted with this dance.
Umbrella Dance ?
Dance Umbrella is London’s international dance festival, celebrating 21st century choreography across the capital. Founded in 1978, Dance Umbrella is internationally recognised for its annual festival which takes place each October. In addition, projects supporting artists and engaging the public with choreography now take place year-round. To date, Dance Umbrella has reached audiences of over one million people in London.
Recently appointed Artistic Director & CEO Emma Gladstone is now building on this remarkable track record and taking Dance Umbrella forward with various new initiatives, including digital projects, regular programming strands for children and young people, debates and articles on cultural issues and the Moving London Commission Fund.
ACTIVITIES
As a registered charity, Dance Umbrella has been bringing outstanding international dance to London since 1978, introducing 686 artists and companies from 31 countries to over 1 million people.
Dance Umbrella is London’s international dance festival which commissions and co-produces new work for the stage. The festival presents British and international artists, and commissions and produces large-scale site-specific works in locations such as the Natural History Museum, the British Library and Tate Modern. Alongside this, Dance Umbrella organise workshops and professional development opportunities for artists working in the contemporary dance field and advises, supports and nurtures a wide range of dance companies and independent artists.
VENUE & ARTISTS
Dance Umbrella takes place in the second half of October with performances at venues across London. Past venues include Sadler's Wall, the Barbican Theatre, SouthbankCentre, The Place: Robin Howard Dance Theatre and Greenwich Dance Agency, Alexandra Palace Ice Rink, Young Vic. Since 2007, Dance Umbrella has been staging performances outside of the theatre in spaces such as The Bathstore, Smithfield Market, Clifford Chance and various parks around London. Dance Umbrella Festival 2015 will see performances take place at NCP Car Park Farringdon, Greenwich Park, Brockwell Park, Springfield Park and Waterlow Park.
Dance Umbrella regularly presents international artists on tour in the UK, many of whom have made their UK debuts.
