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{{Short description|Choreographed dance}}
{{Mergefrom|Linedance|date=October 2006}}
]A '''line dance''' is a choreographed ] in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of ] while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.<ref name="Knight">Knight, Gladys L. (2014). ''Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture'', p.102. ABC-CLIO. {{ISBN|9780313398834}}.</ref><ref name="Lane">Lane, Christy (2000/1995). ''Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing'', p.2-4. Human Kinetics. {{ISBN|9780736000673}}.</ref><ref name="Lesson">Zakrajsek, Dorothy; Carnes, Lois; and Pettigrew, Frank E. (2003). ''Quality Lesson Plans for Secondary Physical Education, Volume 1'', p.188. Human Kinetics. {{ISBN|9780736044851}}.</ref> Unlike ], line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Each dance is usually associated with, and named for, a specific song, such as the ] or the ] (associated with the 1982 single "]") which are a few of the line dances that have consistently remained part of modern American culture for years.
:''For the ]/] remix; see ].''
A '''line dance''' is a formation ] in which a ] of people dance in a line formation or in lines, and they all execute the same movements. Certain line dances may be considered variations of ]s, where people are joined by hands in chain, e.g., the ] dance of the ]. In fact, most circle dances may be danced in a line formation, rather than in a circle; this is most common when only a small number of dancers are available.


Line dancing is practiced and learned in ] bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as ], ], and as well as western-style variants of the ], ] and ]. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, ], ], ], ] (]), ] and ].<ref name="Lane" />
==Modern social line dancing==
===Description===
In a small group there may be only one line, but usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other. A dance teacher, or more experienced dancer, will usually perform on a stage or in the center of the first line. Inexperienced dancers are encouraged to take positions in the middle of the group to allow watching other dancers' feet in front of them. Experienced dancers are encouraged to take positions on the outside edges of the group to help others.


The term "modern line dance" is now used in many line dance clubs around the world to indicate dance styles that combine many genres, including pop, Latin, Irish, big band and country. Rather than wearing Western-style clothing or boots, participants dress in casual clothing and often wear ].
In this parallel line formation, the dancers dance in a synchronized manner, but independently of each other. There are usually no moves that require any interaction between the dancers, other than they execute the maneuvers at the same time. Each dance has a different sequence of movements that must be learned.


==History==
Although line dances can be fairly simple, as with the 18 count 4 wall beginner "Electric Slide"; increasing complexity can be created through several means. In general dances with more counts are more difficult. The inclusion of unusual or unfamiliar sequences of steps also make a dance more challenging. Body movment other than steps, hand gestures for example, can increase complexity. "Phrased" line dances are written to go with specific versions of songs. Tags, bridges, and skipping over, or repeating portions of the dance, are all devices that are used to follow the phrasing in the music. These phrased dances require dancers to be more conscious of the music and not simply repeat the same sequence of steps for an entire song.
] dancers before quarter of turn]]
The precise origins of line dancing are not entirely clear.<ref name="Lesson" /> Of the confusion, music historian Christy Lane has stated that "If you were to ask 10 people with some knowledge of when line dancing began, you'd probably get 10 different answers".<ref name="Lane" /> By and large, the growth and popularity of line dancing has mainly been tied to ].<ref name="Lesson" />


It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Lesson" /> Throughout the 1860s–1890s, the style that would later be known as ] began to emerge from these dances. Schools in the United States began to incorporate dancing, particularly ], into ] classes in the 1900s, which popularized folk and country dancing as a social activity. Finally, servicemen returning from ] and ] sometimes brought European dances back to the United States, incorporating elements into American dance styles.<ref name="Lane" />
There are several variations to the parallel lines set-up. There may, for example, be two sets of lines where the dancers face in directly towards each other. In larger groups these will become several sets of in-facing parallel lines. In these "contra" line dances, the dancers will dance with the others in the facing lines. The dancers often weave in and out, exchanging places, or dance up to each other, and make momentary contact, such as a hand clap, or a swing, or take hold in ] for a few counts, and then move on. This has it roots in Square or Round Dancing.


=== 1950s–1970s: development of style ===
These contact maneuvers are more likely in the variation where line dancing takes place in two concentric rings which are facing each other, such as a Barn Dance or Indian Outlaw.
One of the first true line dances was the ], a ] created and first danced in ], in 1957.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Madison 1|url=http://www.columbusmusichistory.com/html/madison_1.html|access-date=2021-08-27|website=www.columbusmusichistory.com}}</ref> The local popularity of the dance and record in ], came to the attention of the producers of '']'' in 1960, which led to other dance shows picking it up.<ref>{{citation|last=Malnig|first=Julie|title=Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader|url=https://archive.org/details/ballroomboogiesh0000unse/page/192|page=|year=2008|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-07565-0}}</ref> The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.<ref>Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=retrieved 1.2011|url=http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715173231/http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_|archive-date=2011-07-15|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Renez.com}}</ref>


During the ] era of the 1970s, numerous new dance styles emerged, including many line dances choreographed to disco songs.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Lesson" /> The "L.A. Hustle", a modified version of the Madison, began in a small Los Angeles disco in the summer of 1975, and hit the ] (with modified steps) in the spring of 1976 as the "Bus Stop".<ref>The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. {{ISBN|0-446-87943-6}}</ref><ref>"The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27</ref> Another 70s line dance is the ], performed to ]'s song "]".<ref name="roots-boots1">{{cite web|author=Marayong|title=History & definition of linedancing|url=http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513041552/http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html|archive-date=2007-05-13|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Roots-boots.net}}</ref><ref name="wtf">{{cite news|last1=Baxter|first1=Lauren|date=1 February 2019|title=WTF Australia: Turns Out We Are The Only Country That Does The 'Nutbush' Dance|language=en|work=The Music|url=https://themusic.com.au/article/KiA2PD8-ISA/wtf-australia-turns-out-we-are-the-only-country-that-does-the-nutbush-dance/|accessdate=31 August 2019}}</ref> The popular dance ], associated with the song "]," was created in 1976. The song "Electric Boogie" was originally released by Marcia Griffiths in December 1982. It was written by Bunny Wailer exclusively for Griffiths, reaching the top spots in popularity in Jamaica in early, achieving moderate international success. In 1989, the song was remixed and re-released, this time gaining significant popularity. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming Griffiths' most successful single. The song also helped popularize the "electric slide" dance. <ref name="Knight" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Silver|first=Ric|title=This is 'The Electric' - The Complete Choreography|url=http://the-electricslidedance.com/the-complete-choreography.html|access-date=2016-11-30|publisher=The-electricslidedance.com}}</ref>
Two dancers (usually partners) can dance together in what is known as a cape dance, where the male partner stands next to the female and holds her corresponding hands - one arm over her shoulder, like cape.


The release of the film '']'' in 1977 took disco and its associated dance styles to a new height of popularity.<ref>{{cite web|title=original step sheet|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623124658/http://dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-05-31}}</ref>
===Music===
Line dancing has had a ] image, and it was danced predominantly to ]. This has been changing since the late 1990s, as more young people became involved. Today, country music may make up the minority of a DJ's play list, with the balance spread through a variety of many different musical styles both new and old. Genres including Celtic, Swing, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost anything else that has a regular beat.


Line dancing to country music also became popular during this era, with two notable dances dating to 1972: the ] and the ].<ref name="Knight" /><ref>{{cite web|title=more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots&bucklesworkshop.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710144610/http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots%26bucklesworkshop.htm|archive-date=2011-07-10|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Dorisvolz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704190031/http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf|archive-date=2008-07-04|access-date=2008-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=1999-06-01|title=Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623124444/http://dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm|archive-date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Dorisvolz.com}}</ref>
===History===
Line dance is sometimes thought of as originating in the ]. In fact, it has a much more diverse background. Many ]s are danced in unison in lines, usually single lines, and often with a connection between dancers. The absence of a physical connection between dancers is a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Unison movements done by separate individuals in line might be traced back to old styles of group ]. There have been line dances during the heyday of many modern popular music styles, including ], ], and ].


=== 1980s–present ===
Line dancing's current popularity grew out of the disco period, when the country-western dance and music communities continued to explore and develop this form of dancing.
]
The 1980 film '']'' caused a trend for country and western culture, particularly the associated ], ], and ].<ref name="Lane" /> Over a dozen line dances were created for country songs during the 1980s.<ref name="roots-boots1" /> Many other early line dances were adaptations of disco line dance.<ref>Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.</ref> The ] is an example of a line dance adopted by the Mod revival during the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|date=1988-10-01|title=see Blair statement|url=http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006080012/http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html|archive-date=2011-10-06|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Wcs-dancer.com}}</ref>


The music video for the 1990 ] song "]" has been credited for launching line dancing into the mainstream.<ref name="Lane" /><ref name="Achy linedance">{{cite news|date=October 30, 1992|title=Line dancing refuses to go out of style|newspaper=Star-News|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iqssAAAAIBAJ&pg=2782,6165269&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+line+dancing&hl=en|access-date=August 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Achy linedance2">{{cite news|date=April 17, 1993|title=Stepping to country fun|publisher=The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City)|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAFE6F839C80C1E&p_docnum=1|access-date=August 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Achy linedance4">{{cite news|date=June 13, 1995|title=This time around, the country craze proves to have some staying power|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3IA0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4370,6083247&dq=billy+ray+cyrus+line+dancing&hl=en|access-date=August 12, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
At least five lines dances that are strongly asscociated with country western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: "Walkin' Wazi" and "Cowboy Boogie". This was five years before the disco craze created by the release of ] in 1977. Two non country line dances from the 1970s are "The Bus Stop" and "Nutbush". Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs.
"Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader in October of 1990 for the orginal ] recording of the song of the same name.
]' 1992 hit ], helped catapult western line dancing back into the musical mainstream's public consciousness. In the mid 1990s country western music was influenced by the popularity of line dancing. This influence was so great that ] was quoted as saying "The music has gotten pretty bad, I think. It's all that damn line dancing." <ref> The Roots of Country Music" Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994</ref>
In 1994 a choreographer named Max Perry had a world wide dance hit with the dance "Swamp Thang" that was danced to the song "Swamp Thing" by The Grid. This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of dancing to forms of music other than country. Max Perry along with Jo Thompson, Scott Blevins and several others began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level.In 1998, the band ] created further interest with the ] dance song "5,6,7,8". In 1999 the Gap retailer debuted the "Khaki Country" ad on the Academy Awards ceremony. Line dancers performed to the 1999 version of ] by ].


In the 1990s, the hit Spanish dance song "]" inspired a popular line dance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clark|first=Walter Aaron|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d7DHvfmzHhkC&dq=macarena+dance&pg=PA189|title=From Tejano to Tango: Essays on Latin American Popular Music|date=2013-02-01|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-136-53687-8|language=en}}</ref>
Line dancing is a popular recreation activity and is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide. It avoids the problem of imbalance of male/female partners that plagues ballroom/swing/salsa dancing clubs. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of ], such as ], ], and ], as well as western-style variants of the ], ] and ].


A line dance for the 1990 ] single "]" was choreographed by Bill Bader.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers|url=http://www.billbader.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428053857/http://www.billbader.com/|archive-date=2011-04-28|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Billbader.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2004-03-07|title=Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader|url=http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/bootscootinboogie.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708001248/http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/BootScootinBoogie.htm|archive-date=2011-07-08|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Billbader.com}}</ref> The 1992 ] cover of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title.<ref>{{cite web|date=2011-05-27|title="Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726204138/http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1|archive-date=2011-07-26|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Kickit.to}}</ref> ]' 1992 hit "]" helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness.<ref name="Lane" /> In 1994 choreographer Max Perry had a worldwide dance hit with "Swamp Thang" for the song "]" by ].{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of line dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid-1990s period, country western music was significantly influenced by the popularity of line dancing.<ref>''The Roots of Country Music'' Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994</ref>
Two popular dances that technically classify as line dances are the ] (performed to '']'' by ]) and the ].The ], although danced in a circle may be considered to be a line dance.


Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson Szymanski, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1997, the band ] created further interest outside of the U.S. with the ] dance song "]". In 1999, American retailer ] debuted the "Khaki Country" ad at that year's ] ceremony, in which line dancers performed to the 1999 version of "]" by ].<ref>{{cite web|title=GAP a-Go-Go &#124; Dance Magazine &#124; Find Articles at BNET|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_7_73/ai_55127826|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201184014/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_7_73/ai_55127826|archive-date=2009-02-01|access-date=2011-05-31|publisher=Findarticles.com}}</ref>
Line dancing in the late 1990s, and so far through the 2000s, has changed in some line dance clubs with the main bulk of the dancing done to ]. This has brought with it a renewed interest in the dance form for people of all ages.


The arrival of the ] channel to Europe fed the popularity of line dancing there.<ref>Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. {{ISBN|1-57912-049-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/cmt_europe.html |title=CMT Europe clips |publisher=.tv-ark.org.uk |access-date=2011-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219181409/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/cmt_europe.html |archive-date=2012-02-19 }}</ref> In 2008, line dancing gained the attention of the French government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4036375.ece |title=OUI-Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control - Times Online |access-date=2008-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712155823/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4036375.ece |archive-date=2008-07-12 }} Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control</ref>
Line dancing is now seen not just as a form of dance but also as good exercise and as a good social scene.


Based on per capita ranking of MeetUp Groups in the US, Durham, N.C. was declared the line dancing capital of America in 2014.<ref>Time. Sept. 8-15, 2014. page 43.</ref>
===Competition===
One of the main organisations for line dance competition is Masters in Line (www.mastersinline.com). Masters in Line (MIL) run competitions all over the world, from Asia to America and feature a World Championship in Blackpool, UK during August each year. Competitors compete throughout the year at a number of events to qualify for the finals which are held in December, named the 'British Masters'. The Masters consist of three notable line dancers, Rachael McEnaney, Robert Fowler and Paul McAdam. Competitors compete in divisions, including 'Newcomer', 'Division 4', 'Division 3', 'Division 2' and 'All Stars'. Competitors must follow strict guidelines and rules related to each particular division. Normally competitions run over a number of days, featuring line dance workshops, socials and demonstrations from the Masters themselves as well as the competing.
Another type of Line Dance instruction and competition is called "LineDanceSport" (www.linedancesport.com). This is the first syllabus created especially for studios to use as a
programmed learning system for solo or line dancing. The syllabus mirrors the ballroom rhythms and is considered to be the standard for teaching in a studio environment. This form of line dancing has it's own competitions where students compete using "school figures".


===Terms=== ==Wall==
]Each dance is said to consist of a number of ''walls''. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back, or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, face in a direction halfway between two walls. At the end of the sequence, they will face the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference.<ref name="Lane" />
====Basic====
A ''basic'' is one repetition of the main dance from the first count to the last not including any tags or bridges.In competition if this is danced "as written" with no variations, is called
"Vanilla"


* In a ''one-wall dance'', the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning (either no turn or a full turn, 360 degrees).
====Variation====
* In a ''two-wall dance'', repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set (half turn). The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}
Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner status will often replace a section of a dance (say 8 beats) with a compatible set of steps which is called a variation. This is often required in competitive line dancing.
* In a ''four-wall dance'', the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning (quarter turn). As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. In some dances, they turn 270 degrees, a "three-quarter turn," to face the new wall.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}}
====Count====
A dance will have a number of ''counts'', for example a 64-count dance. This is the number of beats of music it would take to complete one sequence of the dance. This is not necessarily the same number of steps in the dance as steps can be performed on an ''and'' count between two beats, or sometimes a step holds over more than one beat.


====Restart==== == See also ==
* ]
A ''restart'' is a point at which the basic dance sequence is interrupted and the dance routine is started again from the beginning. Restarts are used to fit the dances to the music.
*]


====Step==== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
A dance is made up of a number of movements called ''steps''. Each step is given a name so teachers can tell dancers to perform this step when teaching a dance. The most well-known is the '']'' (or ''vine'' for short), a four-count movement to the side. There can be any number of movements in one step.


==External links==
====Step descriptions====
*
These descriptions are for the typical way they are danced; in particular dances they may have small variations, eg a stomp or a point instead of a touch, as given in the vine.


{{Dance}}
]: Basically means "To The Side". This is not the same as the Ballet term. This could be plain side together steps or this could be a triple step of some kind.
{{Authority control}}

]: Can be done to the left or the right. eg Step right to right, step left behind right, step right to right and touch left next to right. The name is sometimes abbreviated to ''vine''. Originally created in the 1920's, the pattern is designed to blend the diagonal alignments in the room.

]: Can be done traveling to backwards or forwards, starting on either foot. One foot will tightly cross the other foot either in front or behind. Can be used with walking steps forward or back or triple steps moving forward or backward.

]: Done to the front or the back,left or right side, starting on either foot. This is a triple step that is done with the feet sliding rather than the more staccato (short and sharp) movement of the Cha Cha. There is a slight difference in the interpretation of the timing to give the element it's distinctive look. It is counted as 1 & 2, 3 & 4, etc. However, the actual amount of time devoted to each of the 3 steps in the shuffle is 3/4 of a beat, 1/4 of a beat, then 1 full beat of music. Shuffles can also be done while you are turning, eg through 180 degrees.

]: This is 3 steps being taken in only 2 beats of music. Can move forward, backward, left or right.

]: To the left or the right. This is a grapevine with a cross in front as well as a cross behind. Creates a slight zig zag pattern on the floor.

Other terms include: applejack, botafogo, coaster step,heel grind,jazz box, kick ball change, lunge, paddle, pivot turn, sailor step, spiral turn, stamp, stomp, sugarfoot, swivet and vaudeville. All together, there are about 45 individual elements that are used to create over
90% of the exisitng line dances.

====Tag / Bridge====
A ''tag'' or ''bridge'' is an extra set of steps not part of the main dance sequence that are inserted into one or more sequences to ensure the dance fits with the music. The term ''tag'' usually implies only a few additional counts (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas ''bridge'' implies a longer piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally interchangeable however.

====Wall====
Each dance can be described to consist of a number of ''walls''. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time, which would be the front, the back or one of the sides.
A dance may contain many turns, to either the left or the right: quarter turns (90 degrees), half-turns (180 degrees), , three-quarter turns (270 degrees), and full turns (360 degrees), .

* A ''one-wall dance'' would mean that at the end of the routine, the dancers would be facing in the same direction as they had started and so each sequence would repeat exactly the same.
* A ''two-wall dance'' would mean the start of each routine alternates between two walls (almost always the front and back walls). In other words the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one sequence.
* A ''four wall line dance'' is one in which at the end of the whole routine of dance moves, the dancers will have turned effectively through 90 degrees, so that they would face all four walls in turn during four repetitions of the routine.

==== Step sheet ====
Describes the dance step sequence. Each step group (usually eight counts) is written out as calling cues that the instructor may use to direct the class. Below each group appears the individual foot or hand work required for each beat in the music.


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Latest revision as of 16:39, 11 December 2024

Choreographed dance
Line dancing at Wikimania 2016 in Esino Lario

A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Each dance is usually associated with, and named for, a specific song, such as the Macarena or the Electric Slide (associated with the 1982 single "Electric Boogie") which are a few of the line dances that have consistently remained part of modern American culture for years.

Line dancing is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as two-step, western promenade dances, and as well as western-style variants of the waltz, polka and swing. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, Latin (salsa suelta), rhythm and blues and jazz.

The term "modern line dance" is now used in many line dance clubs around the world to indicate dance styles that combine many genres, including pop, Latin, Irish, big band and country. Rather than wearing Western-style clothing or boots, participants dress in casual clothing and often wear dance trainers.

History

Madison dancers before quarter of turn

The precise origins of line dancing are not entirely clear. Of the confusion, music historian Christy Lane has stated that "If you were to ask 10 people with some knowledge of when line dancing began, you'd probably get 10 different answers". By and large, the growth and popularity of line dancing has mainly been tied to country and western music.

It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s. Throughout the 1860s–1890s, the style that would later be known as country–western dance began to emerge from these dances. Schools in the United States began to incorporate dancing, particularly folk dancing, into physical education classes in the 1900s, which popularized folk and country dancing as a social activity. Finally, servicemen returning from World War I and World War II sometimes brought European dances back to the United States, incorporating elements into American dance styles.

1950s–1970s: development of style

One of the first true line dances was the Madison, a novelty dance created and first danced in Columbus, Ohio, in 1957. The local popularity of the dance and record in Baltimore, Maryland, came to the attention of the producers of The Buddy Deane Show in 1960, which led to other dance shows picking it up. The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.

During the disco music era of the 1970s, numerous new dance styles emerged, including many line dances choreographed to disco songs. The "L.A. Hustle", a modified version of the Madison, began in a small Los Angeles disco in the summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in the spring of 1976 as the "Bus Stop". Another 70s line dance is the Nutbush, performed to Tina Turner's song "Nutbush City Limits". The popular dance Electric Slide, associated with the song "Electric Boogie," was created in 1976. The song "Electric Boogie" was originally released by Marcia Griffiths in December 1982. It was written by Bunny Wailer exclusively for Griffiths, reaching the top spots in popularity in Jamaica in early1983, achieving moderate international success. In 1989, the song was remixed and re-released, this time gaining significant popularity. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming Griffiths' most successful single. The song also helped popularize the "electric slide" dance.

The release of the film Saturday Night Fever in 1977 took disco and its associated dance styles to a new height of popularity.

Line dancing to country music also became popular during this era, with two notable dances dating to 1972: the Walkin' Wazi and the Cowboy Boogie.

1980s–present

Line dancers in Neustadt on Spree, Saxony, Germany

The 1980 film Urban Cowboy caused a trend for country and western culture, particularly the associated dance, music, and clothing. Over a dozen line dances were created for country songs during the 1980s. Many other early line dances were adaptations of disco line dance. The Chicken Dance is an example of a line dance adopted by the Mod revival during the 1980s.

The music video for the 1990 Billy Ray Cyrus song "Achy Breaky Heart" has been credited for launching line dancing into the mainstream.

In the 1990s, the hit Spanish dance song "Macarena" inspired a popular line dance.

A line dance for the 1990 Asleep at the Wheel single "Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader. The 1992 Brooks & Dunn cover of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title. Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 hit "Achy Breaky Heart" helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness. In 1994 choreographer Max Perry had a worldwide dance hit with "Swamp Thang" for the song "Swamp Thing" by The Grid. This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of line dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid-1990s period, country western music was significantly influenced by the popularity of line dancing.

Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson Szymanski, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1997, the band Steps created further interest outside of the U.S. with the techno dance song "5,6,7,8". In 1999, American retailer Gap Inc. debuted the "Khaki Country" ad at that year's Academy Awards ceremony, in which line dancers performed to the 1999 version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Dwight Yoakam.

The arrival of the Country Music Television channel to Europe fed the popularity of line dancing there. In 2008, line dancing gained the attention of the French government.

Based on per capita ranking of MeetUp Groups in the US, Durham, N.C. was declared the line dancing capital of America in 2014.

Wall

Line dancing at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii

Each dance is said to consist of a number of walls. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back, or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, face in a direction halfway between two walls. At the end of the sequence, they will face the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference.

  • In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning (either no turn or a full turn, 360 degrees).
  • In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set (half turn). The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.
  • In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning (quarter turn). As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. In some dances, they turn 270 degrees, a "three-quarter turn," to face the new wall.

See also

References

  1. ^ Knight, Gladys L. (2014). Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture, p.102. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313398834.
  2. ^ Lane, Christy (2000/1995). Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing, p.2-4. Human Kinetics. ISBN 9780736000673.
  3. ^ Zakrajsek, Dorothy; Carnes, Lois; and Pettigrew, Frank E. (2003). Quality Lesson Plans for Secondary Physical Education, Volume 1, p.188. Human Kinetics. ISBN 9780736044851.
  4. "Madison 1". www.columbusmusichistory.com. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  5. Malnig, Julie (2008), Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader, University of Illinois Press, p. 192, ISBN 978-0-252-07565-0
  6. Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892
  7. "retrieved 1.2011". Renez.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  8. The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6
  9. "The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27
  10. ^ Marayong. "History & definition of linedancing". Roots-boots.net. Archived from the original on 2007-05-13. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  11. Baxter, Lauren (1 February 2019). "WTF Australia: Turns Out We Are The Only Country That Does The 'Nutbush' Dance". The Music. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  12. Silver, Ric. "This is 'The Electric' - The Complete Choreography". The-electricslidedance.com. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  13. "original step sheet" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  14. "more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi". Dorisvolz.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  15. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-12-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken". Dorisvolz.com. 1999-06-01. Archived from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  17. Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.
  18. "see Blair statement". Wcs-dancer.com. 1988-10-01. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  19. "Line dancing refuses to go out of style". Star-News. October 30, 1992. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  20. "Stepping to country fun". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City). April 17, 1993. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  21. "This time around, the country craze proves to have some staying power". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. June 13, 1995. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  22. Clark, Walter Aaron (2013-02-01). From Tejano to Tango: Essays on Latin American Popular Music. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-53687-8.
  23. "Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers". Billbader.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  24. "Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader". Billbader.com. 2004-03-07. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  25. ""Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit". Kickit.to. 2011-05-27. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  26. The Roots of Country Music Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994
  27. "GAP a-Go-Go | Dance Magazine | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  28. Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. ISBN 1-57912-049-0
  29. "CMT Europe clips". .tv-ark.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  30. "OUI-Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control - Times Online". Archived from the original on 2008-07-12. Retrieved 2008-12-15. Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control
  31. Time. Sept. 8-15, 2014. page 43.

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