Like nearly every other type of dance popularized around the world today, Classical Spanish Dance has its roots in Classical Ballet. Despite the fact that Classical Ballet originated in Italy, its structure and body lines were quickly adopted by Spanish dancers. Classical Spanish Dance performances involve intricate choreographies set to musical scores by Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla, Albéniz, Granados and Turina. The dance also incorporates elements of Flamenco dance.
The Castanets dance is a Spanish dance that not only uses the body to make rhythm but also incorporates percussion instruments into the performance. The dance involves movements similar to the Flamenco dance with sharp head, torso and feet movements, but combines the use of a pair of castanets to add a cymbal-like sound to the dance. Castanets are made out of wood, ivory or sometimes plastic, and resemble a hollowed-egg shape. One is placed in each hand and they are banged together, much like hand-held cymbals.
With roots in 15th century Spanish liturgical dance, Flamenco is known as the most intense form of Spanish dancing. The style involves a complex series of quick steps and stomps combined with sharp head, arm and upper body movements. The image of a flamenco dancer, with her costume of layered skirts and lace, is the most commonly used depiction of a Spanish dancer. Flamenco and Salsa are sometimes confused, but in reality they differ greatly.
The bolero style of Spanish dance is exciting and tantalizing to watch, characterized by fluid movements intertwined with methodic pauses and quick, unexpected turns. Historically, the bolero dance was featured as entertainment for crowds who came to watch bullfighting in Spain. The carnivals in the Spanish city of Seville were popular venues in which to feature female bolero dancers, who were often the main event of the townwide celebrations.