Dance Styles
Acro
Acrobatics will test your balance, agility and motor co-ordination incorporating rolls, flips and jumps. Perfect for adding tricks to already developed performing arts skills.
| Clothing | Barefoot is most suitable and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Acro please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango is a social dance involving a partner and is a completely improvised dance. Argentine Tango is danced in a close embrace, the man leads and the lady follows. There are many styles of Argentine Tango including: Tango canyengue, Tango orillero, Salon tango, "Estilo milonguero" (tango apilado/confiteria style), Tango nuevo and Show Tango.
It is completely different to Ballroom Tango in most aspects: music, posture, the embrace, movement and steps.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothing and footwear |
| Further info | More information on Argentine Tango please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Ballet
Ballet is a very formalised style of dance. It is an excellent form of dance for the improvement of flexibility, coordination, grace and strength. Exercises are taught with the use of a 'barre' (bar) for support. These exercises consist of repeated moves in various set positions.
Ballet is most well known for the technique of "point" in which dancers use specially constructed shoes to dance on their toes however this is only once facet of ballet and one which requires much training before achieving.
Famous ballets include Giselle, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty
| Clothing | Ballet shoes (socks or barefoot are also suitable) and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Ballet please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Belly Dance
Belly Dancing is an ancient artform that involves sensuous dance moves and fluid snake-like arm and hand movements. Of crucial importance is isolation movements, particularly of the hips and pelvis. Belly Dancing helps to improve overall fitness, posture, flexibility, suppleness, and strength.
| Clothing | Tight fitting tops, long skirts with tights and bring a scarf. |
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Further info
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More information on Belly Dance or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Breakin'
Break Dancing is more often known as Breaking, and falls under the very wide banner of Urban Dance. Breaking is currently enjoying a huge boost in popularity, with the number of people learning and performing increasing as well as the attention it is recieving from both the media and entertainment industry.
Breaking consists of top or up rock, footwork, spinning moves (power moves), and the freeze. Although people tend to pick up only power moves, there is much more to breaking than just these type of moves and even people without much physical strength can enjoy Breaking.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothes that you can move in and runners. |
| Further info | More information on Breakin' or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Broadway Dance
Broadway Dance or New York Jazz emphasises performance and characterisation skills focusing on jazz as seen in the large musical productions such as Chicago, Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia and so forth. Beginner classes are great for people looking to have some fun and get fit while the more advanced classes cater ideally for those dancers looking for more of a challenge.
| Clothing | Jazz shoes/runners (runners, socks or barefoot are also suitable) and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Jazz/New York Jazz please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of music, self defence techniques, acrobatics, dance and tradition. It was created by the African slaves in Brazil around the XVI Century as a way to resist opression and fight for freedom.
Capoeira is a dance like a fight, a fight like a dance. Capoeira is a "jogo" (game), where partners exchange movements of defence and attacking a constant flow utilising the rhythm of the music. Ritualised combat, trickery and grace. Capoeira is an acrobatic and beautiful avoidance of physical combat. Besides the skills developed through Capoeira such as concentration, self defence, endurance, balance, flexibility, co-ordination, rhythm and confidence. It is an excellent cardiovascular practice to keep you fit while having fun.
Capoeira Angola
With the advent of Mestre Bimba's Capoeira Regional in the 1930's. The traditional Capoeira Angola is generally performed to a slower rythm and movements are closer to the ground than in Regional. Angola games usually last longer and a premium is placed on the body dialogue, the aesthetic qualities of the game and the 'malandragem' (a tricky or deceitful act.)
Capoeira Regional
A capoeira style created in Bahia in the 1930's by Mestre Bimba (Manuel Do Reis Machado). Bimba modified many of the exisiting kicks in the traditional Capoeira to create a more upright and aggressive style. Reginal is usually practiced to a much quicker beat and rythms are created by Bimba. Today the Regional style of Capoeira practiced by Bimba and his pupils is rarely seen.
Contra Mestre Bene created the Associacao Batukege Capoeira at the end of the 1990's in Salvador Bahia. Instructor Vira Lata has been involved in the development of the group since 2000 in Brazil, the United Kingdom and now Melbourne, Australia.
| Class times | Please see the timetable for more information |
| Cost | $18 casual class (discounted passes are available) |
| Clothing | loose comfortable clothing |
| Further info | More information on capeoira please go to www.batukegecapoeira.com |
Contemporary
A earthy dance style combining ballet technique and naturalistic movement including a lot of floor work and turn in of the legs.
| Clothing | Foot Undies or barefoot and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Contemparary please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Flamenco
The word flamenco is synonymous with passion. Flamenco is a powerful, evocative genre of dance and music originating from the gypsies of the south of Spain. The past few decades have seen a flamenco revolution as elements of other artforms such as ballet and jazz have mingled with the traditional form. This contemporary fusion is epitomised in the dancing of artists such Juaquin Cortez, who has done much to popularise the artform and generate interest woldwide. Flamenco dance is characterised by strong, fiery movements, sinuous arms and spiralling fingers and rhythmic, audible footwork. Beginners flamenco classes will incorporate a gentle warm-up, basic technique, exercises and a routine. Flamenco dance is a great way to develop grace and rhythm and to express your passionate side!
| Clothing | Comfortable clothing that you can move easily around in and comfortable footwear. |
| Further info | More information on flamenco dance or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Hip Hop / Funk
Hip Hop is another dance style that falls under the Urban Dance banner. Hip Hop is often seen in music video clips particularly those of Urban performers, however as this style becomes more popular it is becoming more and more common in the video clips of more mainstream artists such as Britney Spears.
Hip Hop choreography often uses some of the components and techniques of other forms of Urban Dance such as Popping, Locking and Breaking and martial arts like Capoeira are also looked to for inspiration.
A regular Hip Hop class will start off with a short warm up which then moves into stretching. After warming up and stretching, isolation exercises are then taught and revised. These exercises allow dancers to learn more about moving different parts of their body seperately. The final section of the class is the routine where sections of choreography are taught and put together to form a short routine which is then put to music and danced through.
Funk dancing is similar to the dancing on the latest music videos, the classes are fun and set to the latest music trends. Funk is a great workout without realising that you are exercising and is a perfect place to start if you have never danced before. A usual class begins with a funky warm-up, light stretching, followed by a routine and finishing up with a short cool down.
| Clothing | Running shoes and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Hip Hop / Funk or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Jazz
Jazz is sometimes known as modern dance or jazz ballet. It is often used in Musical theatre, commercials and sometime video clips. Jazz takes some technique from Classical Ballet.
A typical jazz class will involve a warm up that places emphasis on both stretching and isolating different body parts. Once this has been completed, the class moves on to learning separate moves such as turns, pirouettes, jumps and leaps. A short routine is then taught in stages to music (most often popular music ie. Top 40, Pop or R'nB). The class then finishes with a short cool-down and stretch.
| Clothing | Jazz shoes/runners (runners, socks or barefoot are also suitable) and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Jazz/New York Jazz please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Latin American
Dance Sport Australia and the Australian Dancing Society have embraced this stricter form of Latin American dancing as it has definite and specific moves and techniques that can be easily judged by adjudicators in open competition. While this style is a bit more technical at the end of the day one is far better off ability wise. The classes are taught in a relaxed environment but have a syllabus that is followed and exams that can be worked towards. The five dances that are looked at are called the Championship Dances. They are : Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble and the Jive.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothing and footwear |
| Further info | More information on Latin American or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Le Bop Modern Jive
Le Bop, also known as Modern Jive, has its origins in France in the 50’s. It was very popular in the night-clubs of Europe. Over time the style has developed to encompass an eclectic mix of Hot moves from Jive, Lambada, Dirty Dancing and many other styles of dance. This collage of dance styles against a backdrop of retro and today’s dance music as heard on commercial radio stations and at night-clubs.
You do not need to bring a partner as everyone gets the opportunity to dance with everyone in the class. It’s a great social night and a great way to meet some fantastic people.
Beginners with absolutely no previous dance experience need not worry as Le Bop is easy to learn. In fact, we guarantee to have YOU dancing after the first lesson! While for those with some dance experience, Le Bop can encompass some of the moves you already know, while leaving plenty of room for self expression. Currently there are over 400 moves, with more invented almost weekly. Of course you can get away with knowing far fewer.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothes and footwear. |
| Further info | More information on Le Bop at The Space or around Melbourne can be found at http://www.lebopdance.com |
Lyrical Jazz
Lyrical Jazz combines the styles of ballet, jazz and contemporary and is commonly set to popular music. Lyrical dance uses the lyrics of the music as inspiration to express emotion and gesture.
| Clothing | Jazz shoes or Foot Undies (runners, socks or barefoot are also suitable) and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Lyrical Jazz please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Progressions
Different combinations of kicks, jumps and turns that will test and enhance your jazz technique.
| Clothing | Jazz shoes or Foot Undies (runners, socks or barefoot are also suitable) and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Progressions please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a mixture of Jamaican and Latin American influences blended with Hip Hop and Electronica beats.
| Clothing | Running shoes and comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. |
| Further info | More information on Reggaeton please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Salsa
Salsa music and dance has its origins in the Caribbean and South America, but has developed all over the world It is the most popular of a variety of Latin dances and has developed into an international phenomenon, taking the world by storm! It has become more than a casual pass time for many; it is a passionate lifestyle for thousands of people all over the world.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothing and footwear |
| Further info | More information on salsa or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Stretch & Strengthen
This non impact class uses stretch & strengthen techniques suited for dance that will assist dancers to develop & strengthen core muscles while at the same time develop, maintain & improve flexibility.
This class is suitable for students of any level from the beginner to the professional dancer.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothing and footwear |
| Further info | More information on Stretch & Strengthen classes or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Tap
Tap is a style of dance distinguished by percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor. Tap Dancing was developed in the United States, but owes much of it's development to sources such as Irish solo step dance, the English clog dance, Spanish Flamenco and African dance movements.
While tap shoes (leather soled shoes that have had metal taps and sound plates attached to them) are recommended, beginners can make do with street shoes until they decide to purchase tap shoes.
| Clothing | Comfortable casual clothing. Tap shoes are most appropriate but are not nessecary as a regular pair of hard soled shoes with a relatively low heel will suffice. |
| Further info | More information on Tap or any other class please contact The Space on (03) 9529 3949 or email info@thespace.com.au |
Last Updated (Friday, 09 July 2010 05:17)