Contemporary dance has evolved significantly over the past century, with new styles and trends emerging and gaining popularity. In this blog post, we'll take a look back at some of the most influential dance styles and trends from the past century, and explore how they've shaped the world of contemporary dance.
1950s: The Birth of Modern Dance
The 1950s marked the birth of modern dance, with pioneers like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham developing new techniques and forms of expression. This period also saw the rise of jazz dance, which combined elements of African and European dance traditions.
1960s: The Arrival of Postmodern Dance
In the 1960s, postmodern dance emerged as a reaction against the formalism of modern dance. Choreographers like Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown experimented with new ways of moving and new ways of structuring dance pieces, often incorporating everyday movements and tasks into their work.
1970s: The Rise of Street Dance
The 1970s saw the rise of street dance, with styles like breakdancing and hip hop emerging from urban communities in the United States. These dance forms were characterized by their improvisational nature and their emphasis on individual expression and creativity.
1980s: The Emergence of Music Video Dance
The 1980s marked the emergence of music video dance, with choreographers like Michael Peters and Arlene Phillips creating iconic dance routines for artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson. This period also saw the rise of dance movies like "Flashdance" and "Footloose," which helped to popularize dance culture and bring it into the mainstream.
1990s: The Rise of Electronic Dance Music
In the 1990s, electronic dance music (EDM) emerged as a dominant force in popular culture, with genres like techno, house, and trance gaining popularity around the world. This period also saw the rise of rave culture, which combined dance music with a communal, hedonistic ethos.
2000s: The Age of Reality Dance Shows
The 2000s were marked by the rise of reality dance shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars," which brought dance into the living rooms of millions of viewers around the world. These shows helped to popularize a wide range of dance styles, from hip hop to contemporary to ballroom.
2010s: The Rise of Social Media Dance
In the 2010s, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram became important spaces for dancers to share their work and connect with audiences. This period saw the rise of viral dance challenges and the emergence of new dance styles like K-pop dance.
2020s: The Future of Contemporary Dance
As we look to the future, it's clear that contemporary dance will continue to evolve and change, influenced by new technologies, new cultural movements, and new forms of expression. One popular style in 2024 is "AI Choreography," which uses artificial intelligence to generate unique and innovative dance routines.
Whether you're a dancer, a choreographer, or simply a lover of dance, there's never been a more exciting time to be involved in the world of contemporary dance. With so many different styles and trends to explore, the possibilities are truly endless.
