Re: definitions

[Jacob and Nancy Bloom <bloom...>]

On the subject of the variety of Jewish dance:  A friend who teaches Danish 
dance has informed me that there is a group of Danish folk dances (which date 
back to the period from 1750 to 1850) that are named "Jewish dances."  The 
dances are not markedly different from other Danish dances, but she tells me 
that the music for them is distinctively different, and shows Jewish influence. 
 

She gave me the music for these dances, but I haven't had a chance yet to try 
to play through it.  If anyone would be interested in seeing it, please contact 
me off list.

Jacob Bloom
bloom (at) gis(dot)net
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Helen Winkler 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 9:44 AM
  Subject: definitions


  I've been thinking about the discussion re:  what to call the dances that we 
do to klezmer music (Yiddish dancing? klezmer dancing?) and also about the 
discussion of whether Yiddish dancing sometimes is freestyle and sometimes is 
lead by a dance leader.  When you look at the whole variety of dances that are 
done to klezmer music, it's clear that although some are more Jewish in 
character, others are shared experience dances (Jews did them and so did the 
non-Jewish neighbours down the road; e.g., sirba).  Still others were ballroom 
dances (Steve Weintraub and I have been looking into Pas d'espagne for 
example).  I find it interesting to include dances from all categories when 
teaching sessions.  They all carry with them interesting bits of history and 
the contrast in styles  are fun to juxtapose.  So, whatever we want to call 
this dance genre, I would vote for keeping a fairly open definition.
  Helen

  Helen Winkler
  winklerh (at) hotmail(dot)com
  Helen's Yiddish Dance Page
  http://www.angelfire.com/ns/helenwinkler
  Calgary Folkdance Fridays
  http://www.cadvision.com/winklerj/cff.html