Dance forms around the world

A comparative study of dance forms around the world is examined in this program by Harry L. Shapiro, AMNH anthropologist, and the dance critic of the New York Herald Tribune, Walter Terry. A special feature of the program includes a performance by the John Butler dancers demonstrating the basic movements and gestures of representative dances from around the world. Charles Collingwood discusses the basic differences in dance technques with Terry and Shapiro. In India, Bali, Thailand, and Japan, there has always been a great emphasis on hand movements in dance. Tropical regions and areas of North Africa in particular usually have stronger hip movements in their style, Spanish and Russian dance involves brisk emphasis on heel movements, and European and American dancers use their whole foot while dancing. Film clips of various styles of dance supplement the discussion. Environmental and ethnographic factors, such as climate and costume, are discussed by Shapiro. Terry concentrates on technical criticism of the dances.