A World Tour
Footloose
From foot-stamping dances in New Zealand to graceful tango steps in Argentina, people everywhere love to dance. Put on your dancing shoes!
Did you know?
The haka is a Māori dance from New Zealand, with strong movements, foot stamping and shouted words. It is performed to welcome guests and celebrate big moments. New Zealand's rugby team has performed a haka before matches since 1905!
Most ballet words, like plié (bending the knees) and pirouette (a turn on one foot), are French. That is because King Louis XIV of France set up a dance academy in 1661, which shaped how ballet is taught even today.
International Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29 April. It is the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer born in 1727, who is called the 'father' of modern ballet.
Try this: Mirror Dance
Stand facing a friend or family member. One of you is the leader and moves slowly: raise an arm, bend a knee, turn your head. The other copies every move at the same time, like a mirror. Put on some music! After one minute, swap roles. Then try moving faster. Can your mirror keep up?
Go further: Tango Time
Tango is a dance for two people who move close together with sharp, smooth steps. It began in the 1880s near the Río de la Plata, the river between Argentina and Uruguay, in the busy port cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. In 2009, UNESCO added tango to its list of the world's living traditions (Intangible Cultural Heritage). Tango music often uses the bandoneón, a kind of accordion.