The history of Irish tap dance
Tap dance is a characteristic of Ireland, and it is also the quintessence of Ireland. It combines artistic performance, elegant dance movements and dancers' amazing physical fitness. In recent years, the whole world has blown up the wave of Irish dance. Next, let us lead you into a world of Irish dance, so that you can clearly understand this popular dance in the world.
the ancient Irish history
should start with the Gelter, that is, the Gaels in the Scottish Highlands. These ethnic groups scattered in western Europe, including France, northern Spain, and small islands in Britain, moved to Ireland in the third century BC. They have the same language? Gaelic, and established some small kingdoms. The Romans and Germanic peoples later conquered the Gaelic people in the European continent, but they did not conquer Ireland, so that Gaelic culture was preserved here. Although dance was not popular in this period, works of art were preserved and influenced the clothing and style of Irish dance.
According to historical records, Britain captured Ireland in 117 and continued to ban Irish culture for the next two hundred years. However, in Ireland in the mid-15th century, many kinds of dances were created at this time, which were full of characteristics and became popular throughout Ireland with fast beats and sideways steps. At the same time, there were quite a few works of Irish music. At this time, Britain still banned Irish culture, for example, they banned flutes and arrested flute players. Nevertheless, the more forbidden it is, the more magical it is. Even Queen Elizabeth has said it many times? Love it very much? Irish tunes and country dances.
The power struggle between Ireland and Britain continued into the 16th century. This period of severe oppression lasted for more than 1 years, which is why tap dancing teaching in Ireland was conducted in secret at first. Even so, dancing was still very popular in the 17th century, and it was usually danced during holidays, weddings, baptisms or wakes. At this time, Irish dance developed a variety of different forms and styles, laying a solid foundation for Irish tap dance.
Dance costumes
The colors of costumes are mostly green, white or orange. Dancers avoid using red because it is related to the British Association. In modern times, all colors will be used. Male dancers usually wear soft clothes. The costume style of dance is very different from tradition in modern times. In the 18th century, dance teachers wore hats, tuxedos, knee-length breeches, white stockings and black shoes with silver buttons. In 1893, after the revival of Irish culture, traditional Irish clothing began to be adopted. Today, male dancers wear either breeches or trousers.
In the 18th century, most female dancers wore ordinary coarse dresses or dresses they wore to church on Sunday, and they were decorated with flowers or crosses tied with ribbons. After 1893, the typical dance costume was a hooked cloak with a white dress with a belt. Another alternative to cloak is shawl. By the 193s, cloaks had been used less and less, and shawls had gradually evolved into shawls worn outside black clothes. This modern shawl is triangular, and it is fixed with a brooch or pin to the suit worn by the performance. Until the 198 s, dancers usually tied a string to their waist, and the end of the rope was tassel. Dancers usually wear coats or vests.
in the early 19th century, the technique of edging was relatively rare in clothing. However, later, the degree of use gradually increased, and even its complexity increased. Designers are inspired by the origin of Irish ancestors, including Irish stone crosses and communion cups, which are the sources of their creative inspiration. The patterns on the clothes are continuous, symbolizing the continuation of life and the eternity of mankind. Designers design more modern patterns. Another modern innovation is the use of silver thread and gold thread in the sewing of edging. Every dance school has different performance costumes. Children usually have one or more clothes, depending on the level of their performance. Many schools have prepared one set for beginners, while the intermediate ones have another set. As for adult dancers who have studied dance for less than five years, they also have other clothes, usually skirts and shirts or coats, instead of dresses.
When dancers reach a certain level in the competition, they may have their own unique costumes. Dancers' costumes are usually sewn in Ireland or England. They are made of velvet and silk lined with colorful lace. Having one's own unique costume means that dancers have excellent skills in Irish tap dancing. Dancers usually wear their own unique costumes to participate in individual/solo competitions; In team competitions/figure dancing, dancers wear the school's standard clothes to represent their level.
tap dancing shoes
In the aspect of dancing shoes, some early documents recorded that dancers were barefoot. Soft shoes were not used until 1924 when girls danced reels, jigs and slip jigs. Soon, male dancers also began to use soft shoes, but in the 197s they abandoned them. At this time, hard shoes have gradually matured in style and technology. Dancers use glass fiber shoes with hollow toe and heel. This change in material allows dancers to nail buckles on their heels and make a loud sound to create a drum-like rhythm so that every audience can hear their melody. This change has also affected the emphasis and content of many dances (previously, dancers would put coins between the bottom and toe of shoes to increase the sound effect). ;