“Dancing With the Kids Stars”
“Performed By Kids”, “For Kids”, Not Just For Kids”
Multi-Cultural Celebration
Journey through the world of music and dance to
Spain, Africa, Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Israel.
An award-winning production was recognized “The Best Theater for Young
Audiences”. Be part of this special end-of-the- year multi-cultural celebration.
Don’t miss this role model performance. Special Treat of This Season.
Introduction
This study guide was designed to help teachers prepare their classes to see a performance of
“Dancing with the Kids Stars” by the School of Russian American Dance. This guide includes
information about our school, a synopsis of the story narrated through the dance, a brief guide to
classical ballet and folk and cultural dances and class discussions/activities based on the enclosed
material. This performance is both-entertaining and educational. Enjoy the show!
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Folk Dance?
What is Ballet?
Romani Dance or "Gypsy" Dance
Sirtaki, One of Greece's Most Famous Modern Folk Dances
Jota Aragonesa, a Couples' Dance from Northern Spain
The Polka, a Classic Folk Polish Dance originally from Bohemia
Tarantella, an Ancient Couples Dance of Southern Italy
Russia’s The National Little Birch Tree Dance
Mongolia’s Tsam Mask Dance
Theater and Character Dance
In the performances you will see today, most of these are not traditional folk dance or
classical ballets, but instead a fusion of the two. Character dance is the selection of folk
dance and styles to provide divertissements for story ballets. Character Dance is an
What is Folk Dance?
Folk Dance means any traditional dance. Folk Dance is the oldest form of dance and the
basis for all other dancers, including ballet, modern dance, ballroom dancing, disco and
jazz dance, among other dance styles. Traditional Folk Dance reflects the life and times
of a culture and can include celebrations of weddings, births, crops, coming of age,
competitions, dances celebrating nature and even war.
Many different steps are used in folk dances, including walking, running, hopping,
jumping, skipping, leaping, sliding and stamping. There are often specific steps that must
be done.
There are so many different kinds of folk dances, so the forms, patterns and functions of
folk dance are varied. The dances can be done with and without partners in a circle or in a
square, or in long lines; dances can also be done with couples or larger groups.
Costumes are an essential part of folk dance and often represent an important link to
cultural, ethnic and/or religious identity.
What is Ballet?
History
The very first ballets, which were created almost 500 years ago, do not look anything at
all like the ballets we see performed by ballet companies today. The word ‘ballet’ comes
from the Italian word ballare, which means to dance. The first ballets were court dances
(called balleti in Italian), which were danced by the men and women of the Italian Court.
These ballets were not performed in theaters, but usually in court palaces for the rich and
famous.
Romani Dance or “Gypsy Dance”
What is a Gypsy Dance?
Gypsy Dance is a dance style that originates from the Romani people also known as
“Gypsies.”
The Romani are traditionally nomadic people who live in Central and Eastern Europe
including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, the Republic
of Macedonia, Albania, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania. The Gypsy people or Romanis
are thought to have originally come from India over 1,000 years ago.
Dance traditions of the Romani people
There are many different kinds of Roma music and dance. “Gypsy” or Roma dance is
known for being playful, improvisational and full of emotion.
Most Gypsy dances include fancy leg movement, quick and rhythmic footwork,
playing with colorful skirts, coy facial expressions and arms held high for dramatic
movements. Roma dance and music is a community expression, where both performer
and onlooker perform and experience the lamentations and celebrations of Roma life.
Clothing
Women wear full colorful skirts and shawls during dances. Some dancers may wear veils
and bold makeup and jewelry.
Classic Photo of a Gypsy Woman
Sirtaki, One of Greece’s Most Famous Modern Folk Dance
Where is Greece located?
Greece is a country in southern Europe. It is surrounded by the sea. The mainland contry
is roughly the size of New York State but includes many smaller Greek islands and islets.
Greece’s longest border is with Bulgaria and its shortest border is shared with Turkey.
What is the Sirtaki Dance?
Sirtaki is one of the most well known modern folk dances that is a mix of fast and slow
movements. Sirtaki is dances in circle or line formation, where dancers place their arms
on their fellow dancers’ shoulders or hands. It was originally choreographed for a 1964
movie “Zorba the Greek.”
Dance traditions of Greece.
There are two distinct categories in traditional Greek dance; the springing/leaping dance
and the shuffle/dragging dance known as sirtos; the latter being the oldest form of dance.
Aside from Sirtaki, many other Greek dances are energetic circle dances.
Dances are passed down from generation to generation. There are many dances specific
to regions within Greece that can be seen at religious festivals, ceremonies; weddings, to
celebrate family and even to overcome sad feelings. Almost every dance has a story to
tell.
Jota Aragonesa, a Couples' Dance from Northern Spain
Where is Spain located?
Spain is located in Europe and is bordered by Portugal to the South and France to the
North. Aragon is a region located in northeastern Spain.
What is the Jota Aragonesa?
This typical folk dance comes from Aragon and features a fast tempo. Couples dance
with their hands raised high above their heads, while playing castanets. Many believe
that the Jota Aragonesa has been danced in the Aragon region of Spain since the18thth
Century.
What are castanets?
This instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by string. These
are held in the hand and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents or a ripping or
rattling sound consisting of a rapid series of clicks.
Traditional Costume for the Jota Aragonesa
The Polka, a Classic Folk Polish Dance originally from Bohemia
What is the Polka?
The Polka is a lively couple-dance in a moderately fast duple meter. The dance started in
the early 19th century in Bohemia (this historical country is part of modern day Czech
Republic) and quickly became wildly popular in Poland.
According to historians, the Polka was reportedly named in tribute to the (unsuccessful)
Polish rebellion against the Russians in 1830. The Polka later became less of a political
statement and more of a popular dance throughout Europe.
What does the word Polka mean?
Polka can mean “woman” in Polish or “field” and “half” in Czech. Polka dancers wore
bright, colorful outfits and some believe that the polka was so popular, textile fabrics with
polka dots (dots repeated regularly to form a pattern) were named in the dances honor. In
turn, Polka dancers traditionally wear bright, colorful outfits including polka dots, plaid
designs and bright hose (men and women.)
Is the Polka danced in the United States today?
Today, the polka has kept its image of the working-class dance providing enjoyment and
relaxation after long days of hard, physical labor. Many Polish-Americans continue to go
to dance halls and to dance the Polka.
Costumes
Tarantella, an Ancient Couples Dance of Southern Italy
Where is Italy?
Italy is a country in Europe. The country is a boot shape peninsula that extends into the
Mediterranean sea. The Tarantella dance originates in Sicily located in Southern Italy.
What is the Tarantella?
This popular native dance of Sicily has a history and myth spanning several centuries.
Originally an Italian folk dance of the lower- and middle-classes, Tarantella has been
labeled as a dance to cure sickness and as a dance of courtship.
The dance is one of unity and separation, which sees dancers flying into each other’s
arms only to bound away again. It is considered unlucky to dance the Tarantella alone so
it is often danced by couples or by two women. In modern times, different versions of the
Tarantella are danced at wedding celebrations.
What Dances the Tarantella?
The Tarantella dance is an animated couple dance. Traditional Tarantella costumes for
women may include long dresses with aprons. Men may wear close-fitting knee-length
pants and white shirts and colorful decorative sashes.
Fun Facts about the Tarantella
In the Middle Ages, some superstitious Sicilians believed the dance itself was even used
to cure the poison from the bite of the spider. In fact, many would play music and the
afflicted person would dance non-stop to avoid succumbing to the poison.
Russia’s The National Little Birch Tree Dance
What is the National Little Birch Tree Dance?
A noted Russian dance troupe started dancing the National Little Birch Tree Dance over
six decades ago and it spread in popularity.
Where is Russia?
Russia, formerly known as the U.S.S.R. and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean, China and
the Pacific Ocean. While Russia is just one state, the term still sometimes refers to over
15 independent republics including Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan and others countries.
What makes the Little Birch Tree Dance Special?
The birch tree is the national tree throughout Russia. In the arts and for this dance, the
birch tree represents the magical themes of woods and how fairy tales, dance and arts.
Who dances the National Birch Tree Dance?
Girls and young women typically dance the National Birch Tree Dance.
Costumes
Common dress for the National Little birch tree are long white dresses with fantastic
ornate Russian headpieces. Dancers often actually carry the birch trees in their hands.
Mongolia’s Tsam Mask Dance
Where is Mongolia?
Mongolia is a landlocked country surrounded by Russia to the North and China to the
South, East and West. The majority of people in Mongolia are Buddhists, although there
are Muslims and people of other faiths. The national language is Mongolian.
What is the Tsam Mask Dance?
The Tsam Mask Dance is one of the ancient religious rituals reflecting Buddhist teaching.
It is a very stylized and formal dance. Dancers dress up with masks and disguises as
different people, animals, spirits, including evil spirits, and elements from nature.
How is Asian Folk Dance Different From European or American Folk Dance?
Folk Dancers doing Mongolian folk dance do not move their legs or their lower part of
their bodies as much. Instead, dancers hands and arms move constantly during the dance.
The movements and tempo of the dance are meant to symbolize animals, nature and the
free nomadic aspects of the dance.
What do Mongolian costumes traditionally look like?
As part of the female or maiden costume, the hat is designed with long women’s hair
with ornate and detailed patterns with precious stones. Girls’ outfits are simple and the
outfits may have ribbons with bright colors. Men may wear long robes or vests. Both men
and women may wear special boots.
Traditional Mask Used in Mongolian Dance