How to | Adventures In Dance

Disco Duck Line Dance Tutorial

Holly Collins — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:27:03 +0000

Unleash the Disco Duck Fever with THIS Fun Line Dance Tutorial!

Boogie down and Join me to unleash our inner disco ducks and get this party started! perfect for all level dancers. In this video we will learn what the deal is with the Disco duck, and how to line dance the disco duck. So let’s get ready to boogie!

Disco Duck Phenomenon

So what’s the deal with Disco Duck? It’s a funky, quirky song that tapped into the spirit of its time and became a cultural phenomenon. It’s a reminder that music is meant to be fun, lighthearted, and entertaining. Disco Duck is a song that takes us back to the flashy, flamboyant, and funky era of 1976, when the disco craze was at its peak

Rick Dees

Rick Dees, the creator of Disco Duck, was a radio DJ who was looking to create a fun, lighthearted song that would get people moving on the dance floor. He drew inspiration from the popular disco songs of the time, but added his own twist – the quacking sound effects. The result was a song that was both a tribute to disco and a send-up of its excesses.

Dees was a shrewd businessman who knew how to market his song. He created a persona, Disco Duck, a charismatic performer who wore a bright yellow costume and platform shoes. The persona added to the song’s appeal, making it a must-see act in clubs and on TV shows.

Disco Duck’s Rise To Fame!

Disco Duck’s rise to fame was rapid and unexpected. It started getting airplay on local radio stations, then gradually made its way to the top 40 charts. By the fall of 1976, it had reached number one on the Billboard charts, knocking out other popular songs of the time.

Disco Duck’s reign at the top of the charts was short-lived, but its cultural impact lasted long after it fell off the charts. It became a symbol of the disco era, a reminder of the carefree, fun-loving spirit of the time. What a fun Throwback song to quack you up as your learn this line dance variation of this fun Disco hit.

Disco Duck Fever Line Dance Tutorial!

Unleash the Disco Duck Fever with THIS Fun Line Dance Tutorial!

Step 1 Grapevine with fingers pointing up

1 Side right foot, 2 cross left foot behind right foot, 3 side right foot, 4 tap left foot next to right foot.

Part 2 Step tap and duck flap

5,6 Side left foot tap right foot, as you flap your arm like a duck. Repeat to the right.

7,8 Side right foot tap left foot, as you flap your arm like a duck.

Repeat to the left

1 Side left foot, 2 cross right foot behind left foot, 3 side left foot, 4 tap right foot next to left foot.

Part 2 Step tap and duck flap

5,6 Side right foot tap left foot, as you flap your arm like a duck. Repeat to the left.

7,8 Side left foot tap right foot, as you flap your arm like a duck.

Step 2 three step turn back tap & flap

1 back right foot, 2 close left foot to right foot turning ½ to right. 3 back right foot completing ½ turn to right. 4 tap right foot next to left foot.

5,6 Side left foot tap right foot, as you flap your arm like a duck. Repeat to the right.

7,8 Side right foot tap left foot, as you flap your arm like a duck.

Part 2 three steps forward with hand roll, tap & flap

1 left foot forward, 2 right foot forward, 3 left foot forward, 4 tap right foot next to left foot.

Step tap and duck flap

5,6 Side right foot tap left foot, as you flap your arm like a duck. Repeat to the left.

7,8 Side left foot tap right foot, as you flap your arm like a duck.

Turn the final step tap ¼ turn to left to begin on a new wall.

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame
Winner of top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
Chairperson of
Spirit Dancer FBO Project
Adventures in Dance Club
1500 W. Littleton Blvd. #207
Littleton Co 80120
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com
https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresInDance

The post Disco Duck Line Dance Tutorial first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Master The Art of 60’s Twist Dance Quickly

Holly Collins — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:35:01 +0000

Master The Art of 60’s Twist Dance Quickly

Learn how to master the art of the 60’s twist dance quickly with our step-by-step tutorial. Find out where the Twist came from and how it rose in popularity! Then get ready to twist and shout on the dance floor!

Where did the 60’s Twist Dance Come From?

Did you ever wonder where dance trends come from? I like to question everything. From a one hit wonder to a dance trend that rocked the world, the twist is an awesome dance to pick up quick!

The Twist began with hip kids on the street. In the 50’s Ray Anthony saw some San Francisco High schoolers doing their own conga, so he wrote the bunny hop to go with the moves. In the late 50’s Hank Ballard saw some kids twisting and gyrating, so he wrote the original version of the twist.

Chubby Checker and the Twist

You can’t talk about the twist without mentioning Chubby Checker. Born as, Ernest Evans and he was re-branded Chubby Checker by Dick Clark’s wife as a hat tip to Fats Dominoe. After re-writing the twist at the request of Dick Clark for his show, the song and dance became a worldwide hit.

The twist hit the top of the billboards twice, once in 1960, then again in 1962. It inspired the Pony, Watusi, Mashed Potato, and Funky Chicken. Although they were not as popular as the twist, they featured a breaking away from traditional partnership dances.

How to Dance the Twist

The basic description is to stand with feet hip width apart with elbows bent and twist like you are grinding a cigarette out with both toes and pulling a towel across your behind.

Step 1 Twist center
twist both heals right and left with hands pulling forward and back in time to the music. For fun add an elevation change and get down low, then come back up.

Step 2 Twist right and left.

Shift weight to the left and twist with right foot tapping the ground or in the ait. Repeat to the right

Step 3 Toe heal swivel
Twist tapping right toe in, right heal out, step across slow. Repeat to the left.

Step 4 Twist turning right and left.
stand on your right foot turning to your right as you twist on one foot. Repeat to the left.

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
Chairperson of
Spirit Dancer FBO Project
Adventures in Dance Club
1500 W. Littleton Blvd. #207
Littleton Co 80120
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com
https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresInDance

Blog

Left foot special

Wedding special

Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,

History of Ballroom Dance

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twist_(dance)

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-twist-dance-craze-1779369

https://www.biography.com/musicians/chubby-checker

https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/lifestyle/history-twist-dance

https://www.britannica.com/art/twist

Yeah Yeah by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Jumpin Boogie Woogie by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Master The Art of 60’s Twist Dance Quickly first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Toothless Meme Dance Tutorial

Holly Collins — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:20:58 +0000

Toothless Meme Dance Tutorial: How to Train your Dragon

How to train your dragon has been delighting audiences since 2010. The toothless dragon dance meme came onto the scene and has encouraged youth to dance. Learn the Toothless dragon dance today!

Norse Mythology Connection

How to train your dragon is based in Viking Norse mythology. In Norse mythology dragons are powerful, magical creatures, embodying the concepts of chaos and destruction. This resulted in dragons decorating Viking, shields, ships and other accessories to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.

Dragons in Norst Mythology

Dragons played an integral part in Norse mythology. From Nidhogg, the dragon in the base of the tree of life Yggdrasil to the dragon “Fafnir” a dwarf transformed into a dragon due to his greed. Vikings referred to dragons as “Dreki”, an Old Norse term commonly used for sea monsters, sea serpents, and dragons. This is similar to “Drake” in Old English, morphing into the term Dragons we use today.

How to Train your Dragon inspiration

This would explain why Hiccup was out hunting dragons at night. Toothless the night fury was inspired by a black panther screen saver. The bright eyes peering out of darkness is a perfect description of Toothless, and the black panther that inspired him.

History of the Toothless dance meme

So how did Toothless become a dance meme? Just like the inspiration for the Viking dragons, the meme came from a lizard. In 2018 a dancing lizard meme hit the internet to a variety of songs. The most memorable song was the theme from Pokémon: Black & White By “Driftveil City”. This is the inspiration for Cas van de Pol to use it in the animation.

Toothless dragon dance meme Dance

Pickup beat, stepping on all beats

Right hand up, right foot out, left hand up, left hand up left foot up, scoot back two beats with hands up , on and bring hands down.

Repeat 4 times

Scoot right hands out at shoulder level 1&2, scoot left 3&4, repeat. Begin from the top.

Music: theme from Pokémon: Black & White By “Driftveil City”

Dancer, Holly Tomazin

Filmed on Location at Adventures in Dance Club

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murray’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
Chairman of the board
Adventures in Dance Club
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

#dragon #dance #howto

References

Dragons in Norse mythology: A guide to Nordic dragons

https://www.dailydot.com › memes › toothless-dancing-meme

https://www.polygon.com › 24022513 › toothless-animation-dancing-meme-pokemon-driftweil-city-tiktok

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › How_to_Train_Your_Dragon

https://howtotrainyourdragon.fandom.com › wiki › Night_Fury

https://prezi.com › dz4yinx8mcue › how-to-train-your-dragon-in-relation-to-norse-mythology

The post Toothless Meme Dance Tutorial first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Colorado Cowboy Cha Cha Line Dance

Holly Collins — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:19:43 +0000

Colorado Cowboy Cha Cha Line Dance

Dancing at the local honkey tonk can be a hoot. Boots scooting and cowboys rooting for the next song to play. Amidst the round dances are popular couples dances. In Denver, the Colorado cowboy cha cha line dance is the daddy of them all.

History of Cowboy Cha-cha

One of the most popular country line dances in Denver is the Colorado cowboy cha-cha. It seems like an oxymoron that cowboys would take to a dance with Latin roots. But a wise person once said that the answer to any “when did county” do this question is “when someone was drunk enough to try.”

Colorado Cowboy cha-cha was invented in the late 1980’s by an anonymous cowboy, who taught it to Manny and Alice Rodela, and they are credited with this choreography today. Manny took it upon himself to rename the dance the Colorado cha cha to avoid confusion with the circular version of the traveling cowboy cha-cha. It can be found under the names Colorado cha-cha, Denver cha-cha stationary cha-cha and Texas cha-cha.

Cowboy Cha-cha today

Other sources agree that cowboy cha-cha made a splash in the 90’s. Neon Moon hit charts in 1992 and cowboy Cha-cha made its home at western dance clubs. The cowboy Cha-cha has developed with many variations done solo and in shadow partnership position. At the Grizzly Rose in Denver it is one of the three most popular dances.

How to dance the Colorado Cowboy Cha cha:

Step Sheet Position: Horseshoe, Sweetheart, or Lady’s skaters position with lady on the man’s right
Start dancing on lyrics 1-2
1-2 Step forward rocking onto right foot, rock left back

3&4 Cha-cha or triple steps going backward (right-left-right)

5-6 Step back rocking onto left foot, rock right forward

7&8 Cha-cha or triple steps forward doing a 1⁄2 turn right (left-right-left)

1-2 Step back rocking onto right foot, rock left forward

3&4 Cha-cha or triple steps forward doing a 1⁄2 turn left (right-left-right)

5-6 Step back rocking onto left foot, rock right forward

7&8 Cha-cha or triple steps forward doing a 1⁄4 turn right (left-right-left)

1 Step right forward

2 Turn 1⁄2 left on balls of feet shifting weight to left foot

3&4 Cha-cha or triple steps forward (right-left-right)

5 Step left forward

6 Turn 1⁄2 right on balls of feet shifting weight to right foot

7-8 Step forward rocking onto left foot, rock right back

1-2 Rock left forward, recover to right

3&4 Cha-cha or triple steps forward (left-right-left)

REPEAT

References

Blog

Left foot special

Wedding special

Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,

History of Ballroom Dance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country%E2%80%93western_dance

The 4 Fun Country Cha Cha Dances: Fun Dances to Know!

Home

https://www.chieftain.com/story/special/1993/09/05/in-line-dancing-it-can/8708093007

The post Colorado Cowboy Cha Cha Line Dance first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

What the Bunny Hop? How To Dance the 1950’s Bunny Hop

Holly Collins — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:15:00 +0000

Have you ever done the Bunny Hop? This fun 1950’s conga line dance is hopping to a wedding near you. Join me as we learn how to dance the 1950’s Bunny hop.

History of the Bunny Hop

Where do new dance trends come from? Hip kids! Band leader Ray Anthony got wind of a new dance in San Francisco in 1952. He took a trip to Balboa High School to check out the conga line inspired bunny hop the kids were doing. This inspired him to write the song to fit their dance.

Bunny Hop on Air

Ray Anthony got the world a hoppin by featuring the bunny hop on his show in 1953. This was not the last time it aired on TV. It was in Family ties, Fresh Pince and Everybody Loves Raymond. My favorite is the version in “When Your and Addams” from the Addams Family Musical that I did a tutorial for.

Inspired by Bunny hop Dances

The bunny hop inspired other dances. In the 1960’s Finnish composer Erik Lindström wrote “Letkajenkka” (first recorded by The Adventurers) as a line dance schottische using the bunny hop but starting with the left foot. It was later renamed Letkiss. It 2014 Arabian weddings went viral with “rasqat al-batriq” or “Penguin Dance” featuring the bunny hop conga line steps. In the gaming world Fortnite created a emoji of the Bunny Hop with just a hop, hop, hop.

Bunny Hop:

RF heal out, toe in, heal out, stomp (1,2,3,4)
LF heal out, toe in, heal out, stomp (5,6,7,8)
hop forward (1,2)
hop back (3,4)
Three hops forward (1,2,3, hold 4)
Begin again until the end of the song

Lyrics

Put your right foot forward
Put your left foot out
Do the Bunny hop
Hop, hop, hop

Backdrop location.

Lakewood historic main street preserved as a park. I used my photo of the 88c Variety Store and Ethel’s Beauty Salon at Heritage Lakewood Park in Colorado. It was built in 1948 at a laundromat, and converted to a five-and-dime store in the 1950’s. It was converted into a beauty salon in the 1960’s by Gil and Ethel Gomez. You can see the original fixtures in this museum building to this day.

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance Club
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_hop_%28dance%29

https://www.libraryofdance.org/dances/bunny-hop/

Bunny Hop Dance: History, Move, Songs & More

Library of Dance – Letkiss

https://www.songlyrics.com/ray-anthony/the-bunny-hop-lyrics/

https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Bunny_Hop

https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Arts-and-Culture/Heritage-Lakewood/Historic-Structures-and-Tours

The post What the Bunny Hop? How To Dance the 1950’s Bunny Hop first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Yankee Doodle Goes Viral: A Line Dance Tutorial

Holly Collins — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:52:07 +0000

Do you remember the early American song Yankee Doodle? This song is the rallying song of the rebel forces of early America. I took traditional dance moves and put together a fun Yankee Doodle Line Dance.

Yankee Doodle

The marching air Yankee Doodle is composed by my favorite composer, anonymous. No one knows for sure where this air came from. The melody can be traced back to a medieval Irish maypole song “all the way to Galway.” It was re-worded as a derisory tune the British sang about the American troops.

Yankee Doodle British meaning

Song facts states that the Yankee doodle song dates to the 1754 French and Indian war. The British troops had a low opinion of the American troops. “Yankees” was a derogatory term for sloppy and ill-equipped American soldiers. A doodle was a German term for fool. A dandy was a highly fashionable English gentleman, and by Sticking a feather in your cap and wearing a “macaroni” wig you became sophisticated. This was more slang to emphasize the lack of style. “Mind the music and keep the step and with the girls be handy,” was a reminder that dancing was different overseas and to check that you are doing your steps properly and holding the girl in the correct way.

Yankee Doodle meaning

As Americans turned the Revolutionary war in 1775, they picked up the song as a slap in the face of the British troops. At the British surrender in Saratoga, New York in 1777 “Yankee Doodle” was played in victory. “Yankee Doodle” became a term of pride in 1781. American Songwriter writes,” Adding to the subversion of the song, according to a Boston newspaper, after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, one British soldier asked another how he liked “Yankee Doodle” now? To which the latter responded, “Dang them [the American troops]. They made us dance it till we were tired.” It later became the official song of Connecticut.

Lyrics

Yankee Doodle went to town
A-Riding on a pony
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni.

Yankee Doodle, keep it up.
Yankee Doodle, dandy.
Mind the music and the step
and with the girls be handy.’

Betsy Ross & Yankee Doodle line dance

Betsy Ross is the iconic American woman patriot. An adept businesswoman who darned the first American flag. She surely hosted barn dance and kicked her heals up with the sons of liberty and American rebels like Geroge Wahington. I adapted traditional American dance moves into a modern line dance to the song Yankee Doodle and performed it as Betsy Ross with her uncle George Ross. Have fun learning this doodle line dance.

Yankee Doodle Line Dance.

7 steps to the left (grapevine) and a tap. If the grapevine is too difficult, a side step can be substituted.

8 steps to the right (grapevine) and a tap.

3 steps in and a tap.

3 steps out and a tap.

8 steps turning to your right.

New wall.

Cast

Betsy Ross – Holly Tomazin

George Ross- Craig Tomazin

Holly Tomazin

WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance Club
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

References

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/story-behind-the-song/the-story-behind-the-song/yankee-doodle/

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/colonial-music-institute/essays/real-words-to-yankee-doodle/

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/history/what-is-the-song-yankee-doodle-dandy-really-about

https://abcnews.go.com/US/yankee-doodle-dandy-explained-revolutionary-facts/story?id=24314207

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/traditional/yankee-doodle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Doodle

The post Yankee Doodle Goes Viral: A Line Dance Tutorial first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Fortnite Bunny Hop How to

Holly Collins — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 06:47:22 +0000

How did Bunny Hop go from fabulous 50’s to video game rarity? This happy little bunny hop has tripped the light fantastic and hopped over the decades and into your computer screen as an emoji. Learn how to dance the Fortnite bunny hop and read on for more history.

Hop, hop, hop History.

The bunny hop was invented in the 1950’s by San Francisco highschoolers. From there it was picked up by Finnish youth as an alternative to the schottische. By 2014 It became a popular Arabian wedding dance. Then Fortnite got its paws on it, and kept just the hop, hop, hop.

Fortnite Bunny Hop

In 2019 Fortnite released a rare emote, the bunny hop. It was first added to the game in chapter 1 season 8. It is only available once a year, so gamers must hop, hop, hop to get it added to their games. The last release date was Jan 21, 2024. But if you miss adding it to your game you can hop along with this Fortnite bunny hop tutorial.

Fortnite Bunny Hop How To

Hop up and down twisting left and right looking in opposite directions to your hop. Happy hopping!

Bunny – Holly Tomazin

Holly Tomazin

References

https://www.dexerto.com/fortnite/every-fortnite-collab-crossover-battle-royale-history-1645672/

https://progameguides.com/fortnite-cosmetic/bunny-hop

https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Bunny_Hop

The post Fortnite Bunny Hop How to first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line Dance How To

Holly Collins — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 12:16:00 +0000

Do you want to kick up your heals at Mardi Gras? Great jazz music calls out to be danced to. So for Mardi Gras this year I did a line dance to the signature song “When the Saints go Marching in”, or “The Saints” for short.

Brief history of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras dates back in time to the Middle Ages. It originated as the spring and fertility festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. With the advent of the Christian faith, the festival was re-purposed as Carnival (from epiphany to lent), then in America as Mardi Gras (a one day event the Tuesday before lent), in preparation of the abstinence of Lent.

“The Saints” or “When the Saints Go Marching In” History

Mardi Gras is celebrated by parades, masks, beads, and great jazz. ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, is unofficially the theme song for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This traditional black spiritual song was made famous by Loui Armstrong in 1938. It is still played in the French quarter of New Orleans. It is the perfect tune to do a Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line dance.

Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line Dance How To

Viideo

https://youtu.be/wnn3c5rQXlc

Step1 Three steps back and forward with a tap.

Take three steps back beginning with the right foot, left foot, right foot, and tap left next to right foot count 1,2,3,4. Follow with three steps forward left foot, right foot, left foot tap right next to left foot, count 5,6,7,8.

Step 2 Charleston

Step forward right foot kick left foot forward count 1,2. Next step back left foot kick right foot back count 3,4. Repeat counts 5,6,7,8.

Step 3 Three steps right and left with a tap.

Move your right foot to the right, close left foot to right foot, side right foot and tap left foot next to right foot as you point your hands above your head for counts 1,2,3,4. Follow moving your left foot side, close right foot to left foot, step side left foot and tap right foot next to left foot count 5,6,7,8.

Step 4 March in a circle to the left 8 counts.

Beginning with your right foot march right then left in a circle to your left. End ¼ turn to the right at a new wall.

Song:

“When The Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong

Dancer:

Holly Tomazin

Camera:

Craig Tomazin

Location:

Adventures in Dance Club

Holly Tomazin

References:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

https://news.yahoo.com/mardi-gras-everything-know-history-172216558.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Saints_Go_Marching_In

https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/10/24/story-behind-song-when-saints-go-marching/16098178007/

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_665505

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rich-history-of-when-the-saints-go-marching-in/

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

The post Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line Dance How To first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

La Muerte – Day of the Dead – Live Life Line Dance

Holly Collins — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 22:04:11 +0000

How do you celebrate the day of the dead? I love to dance so I looked up this fun line dance to Live Life from the Book of Life movie. Enjoy learning to dance with La Muerte for Day of the Dead the “Live Life” Line Dance.

Roots of Day of the Dead

This dance is inspired by the Day of the Dead. This is a Mexican holiday with Mesoamerican and Spanish roots. It is a celebration of family who have crossed to the other side. Ancient cultures celebrated the thinning of the veil between worlds in the fall with bonfires and candles. In Mesoamerica the dead were celebrated in August. The Aztecs would leave food and water on the graves of their ancestors to aid in their journey to the afterlife. The Catholic church took up this tradition and celebrates All Souls Day and All Saints Day. In medieval Spain they would celebrate by decorating graves with flowers and leaving bread and wine for the dead.

Day of the Dead Traditions

The Day of the dead is a celebration of family who have crossed over to the other side. Traditions include elements of wind (with paper cutouts) water (a pitcher of water to quench the thirst of the deceased) Fire (candles) and Earth (Flowers & food). Families would get together to remember their ancestors and celebrate life. It has grown to include parades and other festivals.

La Muerte Queen of Souls

In Aztec tradition Mictecacihuatl is the Goddess of the realm of the dead and keeper of the bones of the deceased. She was depicted with a skull-like face. When the Spanish invaded, they brought Catholicism with them. With it came the transformation of Mictecacihuatl into Santa Muerte, Goddess of death protector of souls, justice, and healing. According to Book of Life Wikki La Muerte was modeled after Santa Muerte.

Dance of the dead

The plague in the Middle Ages caused many to bend a knee at the grave. Saint Saens even wrote the “Dance of the Dead” to commemorate those who past. Folkloric groups keep traditional dances alive celebrating El Día de Los Muertos. One tradition is Xantolo day of the dead dance procession. For my video we chose a line dance to “Live Life” from the movie the book of life.

video

Live Life Line Dance

Hold 16 counts at the beginning of the song.

First Section:

Right foot side, Close left to right, chase to right side, close, Side. Count 1,2,3&4.
Repeat to the left. Left foot side, Close right to left, chase to left side, close, Side. Count 5,6,7&8.

Second Section:

Right foot rock forward, replace weight to left foot, turn ¼ turn to right, lock step forward, forward, close forward. Count 1,2,3&4

Third Section:

Left foot rock forward, replace weight to right foot, coaster step back together forward.

Repeat from the beginning.

https://youtu.be/FCajJ9WntE0

Song:

Live Life from The Book of Life

Background:

Casa Bonita, iconic Hispanic Denver tourist attraction, short lived ghost town, and vibrant dining experience.

Video:

Craig Tomazin- Thank you for all your support.

Cast:

Holly Tomazin as

La Muerte, Maria, & Carmen.

Holly Tomazin

WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

References

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/10/14/356045103/animated-book-of-life-celebrates-d-a-de-los-muertos

https://bookoflife.fandom.com/wiki/La_Muerte

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/day-of-the-dead-everything-you-need-to-know-behind-the-history-of-the-mexican-tradition/4795232/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Day-of-the-Dead

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/holidays/2023/10/20/dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-facts/70384393007/

https://news.arizona.edu/story/understanding-history-and-traditions-d%C3%ADa-de-los-muertos

https://www.danceplug.com/article/dia-de-los-muertos-celebrating-the-day-of-the-dead-with-dance-and-festivities

https://bookoflife.fandom.com/wiki/La_Muerte

https://oldworldgods.com/aztecs/aztec-goddess-mictecacihuatl/

The post La Muerte – Day of the Dead – Live Life Line Dance first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Oak King & Ivy Queen Maypole Dance How To

Holly Collins — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:10:44 +0000

Do you celebrate summer fun? The change from winter to summer was celebrated with dancing around the Maypole. This tradition of Maypole dancing is a great way to celebrate the new season. is a joyous way to celebrate the start of spring with the Oak King and Ivy Queen.

History of Maypole dance:

Dancing around a Maypole is a jubilant celebration of new life and spring. Scholar Carl Wilhelm Von Sydow stated that Maypoles were built “simply” as “signs that the happy season of warmth and comfort had returned.” The Maypole has been traced back to Greek and Roman times. The month of May is named after the Greek goddess Maia and the oldest recorded Maypole is accredited to the Roman Goddess Bona Dea, or Fauna. Flora the goddess of flowers was honored with the festival of Floralia, which is also accredited with celebrating with a Maypole.

Roman Maypole Mythology:

Separately, in Roman mythology there is a “story of Cybele, whose lover, Attis (Phrygian god of vegetation), was gored by a wild boar and bled to death under a pine tree. The distraught Cybele believed that the spirit of Attis had been transferred to the tree, so she had it cut down and brought back to Rome, where it was decorated with flowers and garlands. A period of mourning was then observed after which Attis’s spirit was resurrected and restored to Cybele, symbolizing the rebirth of all living things in the spring. “As a result of this tale, “a ‘sacred pine of Attis’ was taken in procession, or on a chariot, to the temple of Cybele (the Anatolian Mother Goddess of flowers and fruitfulness) and set up for veneration.”(1)

Historic Celebration:

The first of May has been celebrated as the Crowning of the May Queen (or Ivy Queen), and her marriage to the Oak King. They would unite with a hand fasting, a tying to signify their union, & untying to signify their willingness to remain together, of a ribbon in a figure 8 about their wrists. This is where the term “Tying the knot” came from. They would then celebrate by dancing around the Maypole. Many May celebrations include the crowning of the May queen followed by dancing around a Maypole.

Spiritual Roots:

The Maypole has spiritual roots. It is associated with a celebration of the tree of life. The pole is said to represent the earth joining the air or sky in the ring. It has also been related to the tree as masculine energy, and the ribbons and the ring as feminine energy. In different cultures the ribbons have various colors and numbers of ribbons. The 7 colors of the rainbow can be used to coordinate to represent the Chakra system, crowned by the wreath representing the crown chakra. In numerology it is said to represent the number 10, the pole is 1 and the wreath and the dance ringing it is 0. Climbing the pole is also ascribed with ascending the spiritual path. The Maypole also is related to cones of energy; Pyramids, Tepees and Christmas trees also represent a cone of energy. Although there is no direct connection here it was mentioned often in the reading I did. These cones are also said to point our way to the next life, or heaven.

Catholic Maypole Celebrations:

Mary mother of Jesus is crowned on the first of May, same as the May Queen. This practice dates to the Middle Ages and was officially established in the 17^th century. Various churches incorporated the Maypole in their May festivities. Villagers gathered around a “Summer Rod” at Holy Trinity Church in Exeter, United Kingdom in 1588. Geoffrey Chaucer, the English poet, even mentions an annual Maypole at St Andrew Undershaft. In 1955 Pope Pius XII dedicated May 1st to St Joseph the worker. Other sources suggest the tree represents St. Joseph, and the wreath the crowning of St. Mary, mother of Jesus.

Jessica in her blog A Shower of Roses talks about the “Maypole and our Beautiful Catholic Faith.” She describes how she used it for a Pentecost celebration. Her version includes ascribing the aspects of faith to the colors of the ribbons, and the weaving of the ribbons as tying our faith together into something beautiful.

A 1660 quote from Robert Herrick, The Maypole:

“The May-pole is up,

Now give me the cup;

I’ll drink to the garlands around it;

But first unto those

Whose hands did compose

The glory of flowers that crown’d it”

Maypole Comes to America

When settlers came to America in 1627 Thomas Morton set up a Maypole and danced with the village maidens, creating a stir. Today, many American groups dance the Maypole dance to acknowledge the renewal of nature in Spring. It is traditionally danced on or around the first of May, the summer solstice, or even the end of summer.

The Maypole influences the Liberty Pole:

The Liberty pole is very similar to the Maypole. It is a tree or lance topped with a Phrygian cap, or Liberty cap. The symbol began after Caeser was killed by “Liberators” in 44 BCE, who paraded through town with a Pileaus cap, (known as a freed slave cap) on the tip of their weapons, representing freedom from oppression. And, in Europe in 1750, a monument on Sir George Bowes set up a bronze female figure wearing a cap of liberty on a pole. During the stamp act of 1756 until its repeal in 1766, the Sons of Liberty to erected liberty poles as a signal to meet and discuss defiance to oppression in America. These morphed into Liberty Trees, and the first was in Boston 1765. Liberty trees then spread to France in 1790, where they planted young trees as a symbol of the French revolution. In 1792 the Liberty Tree was officially adopted as the symbol of national freedom, revolution, and an everlasting Republic in America.

Workers Maypole becomes Labor Day:

The Maypole even influenced Labor Day worldwide. In 1894 Walter Crane declared the Worker’s Maypole to represent the cause of the employer’s liability, eight-hour workdays, and the feeding of children. It represented the demands of the international labor movement. In 1886, May 1^st in the US and Canada declared that workers hours should be shortened to 9 hr. day. This was ignored by employers, so workers went on strike May 1^st. The Haymaker riot in Chicago, Il. This lead to the declaration that May 1, 1890, would be Labor Day, or international workers day, to bring attention to beneficial working conditions. Because of the association with the Haymaker riot, U.S. President Grover Cleaveland picked the first weekend of September to celebrate Labor Day. Now, Canada and the United States of America celebrate Labor Day at the end of summer. That is how the Maypole came to be danced at the end of summer for Labor Day. Over time the Maypole has become a fun activity to celebrate. Enjoy this Maypole how to with the Oak King and Ivy Queen.

How to dance around a Maypole with the Oak King & Ivy Queen:

Easy Maypole Weave.

Gather around the maypole and alternate gentlemen and women or count off 1,2 around the pole. 1’s travel to the right passing outside then inside the 2’s. 2’s travel to the left passing inside then outside of the 1’s. Continue until the ribbon is completely woven around the pole and tied off with a bow.

All the way to Galaway Level 1 maypole dance.

Gather around the maypole and alternate gentlemen and women or count off 1,2 around the pole.

First Section 16 counts: 1’s proceed forward to pole 8 counts, then 8 counts retreat backward to starting position.

Second 16 counts: 2’s proceed forward to the pole 8 counts, then 8 counts retreat backward to starting position.

Third Section 8 counts: Everyone takes 8 steps on the beat to the left.

Fourth Section 8 counts: Everyone takes 8 steps on the beat to the left.

Video

Song:

Galway royalty free music. Normally danced to the song “All the way to Galway.”

Our Location

We returned to the historic Arapahoe Spring now in summer. It was completed in 1936 as a picnic area and water resource for car radiators on the way to Bergen peak west of Evergreen Colorado. It I now on a Colorado jeep road once Squaw Pass Road was moved.

Cast

Ivy Queen – Holly Tomazin

Oak King – Craig tomazin

Captain Mud beard- Key Wyble

Celtic Captain – Troy Brasch

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com