Dance is the art of movement of the body, usually rhythmically and to music, using prescribed

or improvised steps andgestures. "A dance" is any one prescribed sequence of such
movements, or the music to which it is performed, or an event at which it takes place.[1] Dance
may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal communication recognisable in other animals;
in bee dances and behaviour patterns such as mating dances.
Dance can be categorized and described in various ways. It may be analysed purely by
its choreography, its repertoire of movements, or it may be classified according to
its time or place of origin. Yet study reveals many generic similarities in many different times
and places.
An important distinction is to be drawn
between theatrical and participatory dance.[2] Nevertheless, these two categories are not
completely separate. Each may borrow from the other. Social dancers may become
professional orcompetitive dancers, may be watched by millions. Both may also have special
functions; they may be ceremonial dances performed only at one time of year, they may be
intended as an erotic dance, a war dance or a sacred orliturgical dance. Such dances allow
both emotional expression and invocation.
Martial arts kata are often compared to dances, and sports such as gymnastics, figure
skating and synchronized swimming are generally thought to incorporate dance.
Folk dances are dances that share some or all of the following attributes:

Dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often
to traditionally based music.
Dances not generally designed for public performance or the stage, though they may later
be arranged and set for stage performances.
Execution dominated by an inherited tradition rather than innovation (though folk
traditions change over time)
New dancers often learn informally by observing others and/or receiving help from others.

More controversially, some people define folk dancing as dancing for which there is no
governing body or dancing for which there are no competitive or professional institutions. The
term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture
and history; typically originating before the 20th century. For other cultures the terms "ethnic
dance" or "traditional dance" are sometimes used, although the latter terms may
encompass ceremonial dances.
A mixer dance, dance mixer or simply mixer is a kind of participation dance in a social
dance setting that involves changing partners as an integral part. Mixing can be built into the
dance choreography or can be structured to occur more randomly. Mixers allow dancers to

meet new partners and allow beginners to dance with more advanced dancers. Some people
may take advantage of mixers to assess dance skills of other persons without fear of being stuck
with a poor match for an entire dance.
Benfits of folk dance
Of course it's healthy and social, but its greatest value is that it brings a country
Past to life, and reminds us of creative invention and tunes and simple pleasures that are
easily lost. I think it also reminds modern people, whose relatives have moved to other
nations, of their heritage.. and a bit of connection-pride with their distant homeland.
tvets (Hungarian)
Ptrs face each other with M to W R, M R hand on her L shldr blade, W R hand on M L
shldr blade with her arm crossed under his L arm, free arms held loosely at sides.
(Danced with either M to L or M to R.)
Back Cross or Back Promenade
Ptrs stand side by side facing in same dir, W to R of M with hands joined in back: M R
with W R, M L with W L. M R arm is over W L unless otherwise specified in the dance
description.
Baltic or Mazurka
Ptrs face each other, M R arm around W rib cage, W L hand on M R shoulder, M L hand
holding the top (back) and fingers of W R hand and placed on M L hip (with hands still
joined) in a fist (rather than extended at side).
Banjo or Side Car
Ptrs stand with M R hip next to W L hip, facing the same dir, M R hand holding W R hand
at her back, W L hand holding M L hand near the back of his L hip, M R arm over W L
arm.
Bolero or Bolero Banjo
Ptrs face each other but with an offset, R hip to R hip, in which both ptrs wrap the right
arm around the other's waist; the L arm is up and curved inward.
Bolero Sidecar
Ptrs face each other but with an offset, L hip to L hip, in which both ptrs wrap the right
arm around the other's waist; the R arm is up and curved inward.
Butterfly
Ptrs face each other with M slightly to L of W, M L hand holds W R hand out at shldr
level, M R hand holds W L hand out at shldr level.
Closed, Ballroom, or Waltz
Ptrs face each other, M R arm around W rib cage with hand at center of back above
waist, W L hand on M R shoulder, W R hand in M L and hands held with elbows flexed
with only a slight bend in the elbows.
Inside Hands Joined

Ptrs stand side-by-side facing in same dir, W on M R, with inside hands joined and held
up at shldr level, free arms held loosely at sides, or are placed on waist or hip as
designated in the dance description. Also done reversed.
Courtesy Turn
Ptrs stand side-by-side facing same dir, W to R of M with M R arm around W waist.
Joined L hands extended diag fwd to the L; joined R hands held at W right waist.
PRONUNCIATION: AH-paht-AH-paht
TRANSLATION:

Four-by-four

SOURCE:

Dick Oakes learned this dance from Francisca Reyes Aquino who introduced
Apat-Apat to folk dancers in the United States at the 1961 Santa Barbara
Folk Dance Conference. Detailed instructions are found in her Handbook of
Phillipine Folk Dances. Its location n the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical
climate make the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons but have
also endowed the country with natural resources and made it one of the
richest areas of biodiversity in the world. An archipelago comprising 7,107
islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical
divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila.

BACKGROUND:

Dr. Aquino, the most prominent dance researcher in the Philippines,

choreographed this dance using authentic Philippine music after noting the
popularity of progressive dances in the United States.

MUSIC:

Mico (45rpm) Mx 120 "Planting Rice;"

Folk Dancer (45rpm) MH 2031
Mico (45rpm) 120

FORMATION:

Cpls in a cir facing R in LOD, W to R of M with inside hands joined and held
at shldr height in "W" pos, free hands at sides.

METER/RHYTHM: 2/4
STEPS/STYLE:

Style is easy and flowing with no jerky or abrupt movements.

MEAS

MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION

1-7

No action.
THE DANCE

1-2
3-4

Beg R for both M and W, walk 4 steps CCW around dance area;
Releasing hands, turn individually 1/2 CW and, joining other hands at shldr
height with elbows bent in "W" pos , walk 4 steps CW around the dance
area;

5-6

Releasing hands and turning to face ptr, walk 4 steps bwd away from each
other;
Walk 4 steps fwd twd ptr;

7-8
9-10
11-12

13-14
15-16

Facing R so that L shldr is adjacent with ptr, walk 4 steps fwd (M CW and W
CCW) around the dance area;
Without turning, each dancer walk 4 steps bwd to end next to ptr with L
shldrs adjacent again;
Facing ptr and joining R hands at shldr height with elbows bent, walk 4
steps CW once around ptr;
Releasing R hands, W walk 4 steps, turning CW in place, as M walk 4 steps
CCW around dance area to next W.
Repeat entire dance from beg.