A Time to Dance

Discusses and illustrates the three major forms of dance--ethnic, ballet, and modern. Introduces the series A Time To Dance with paintings, sculpture, and film clips showing ethnic dances throughout history and the world. Follows two performances of European ethnic dances. Concludes with examples of a 17th century court dance, classical ballet, and dance satire to introduce forms of modern dance. Features Melissa Hayden and Jacques D'Amboise, Daniel Negrin, and members of the Ximenez-Vargas Company., Dance is a universal experience, and Miss Myers introduces the series with paintings, sculptures and film clips showing ethnic dances throughout history and the world. Following this, she presents the three major forms of dance – ethnic, ballet, and modern. To illustrate these, the Ximenez-Vargas Company performs two European ethnic dances. They are followed by Melissa Hayden and Jacques D’Amboise, who execute a 17th century court dance, the predecessor of pure classical ballet which is represented by the pas de deux from The Nutcracker Suite. As the French court and manners of the 17th century affected later ballet, so today’s social developments and conditions affect modern dance. Daniel Negrin performs an illustrative dance satire to introduce the audience to forms of the modern dance.