Tribal people of America have been dancing for centuries. The styles of dance vary from tribe to tribe, but often reflect history and spirituality. Today, many powwows showcase these in competitions. When Africans arrived in the slave trade, they brought a wide variety of beautiful traditions with them, including rhythm and drums, and movement to express story and emotion. As the Irish, Scots, Jews and other Europeans immigrated, they brought new styles of dance with them. Many of these were folk and country dances, reels and jigs that later evolved into modern moves.
As more immigrants came to America, styles from Latin to Asian began to blend into society. Music evolved and moved away from more serious social and courtly dances. Martha Graham gave her first performance in 1926, bringing modern dance to the forefront. The Lindy Hop, jitterbug and all types of jazz dance came on the scene. Schools and theaters sprang up, focused solely on dance. Rock and roll brought new music and still more varieties of dance styles. Tap dancing took off and ballroom dancing grew competitively. Films featuring dancers such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers helped contribute to the popularity of dancing. Disco dancing became the rage when John Travolta stepped onto the floor in "Saturday Night Fever."
Across the country, schools and privately-taught courses provide training for all dance styles. From Alvin Ailey to the American Ballet Theatre, and thousands of minor companies and programs, lovers of dance can easily find courses. Gypsy and belly dancing has a strong following in America. Most dance schools offer recitals to showcase their choreography and special focus. Some people get their dance education on the streets, then end up on TV shows like "So You Think You Can Dance." Viewers can learn quite a bit about dance styles from these shows.
Many historic dance styles can still be seen in America today.While rhythm and blues may have provided for several styles of dance, hip-hop seems to have brought the roots influences full circle. With African American forms having evolved into this modern musical expression, hip-hop began in the 1970s and a number of its offshoot styles pervade. Break-dancing, popping and locking test the dancer. Slam dancing is not for the faint of heart. Michael Jackson left a style countless young people emulated. Ska, crank, techno, electronic and salsa abound. Youth from all walks of life continue to create new styles of dance, even as traditional dance forms linger.