Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
traditional dance, Dominican Folk dance, concert
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Dance
Abstract
Born in the rural heart of the Dominican Republic, Dominican folk dance has evolved along a trajectory taking it from its backcountry origins to become integrated as a fundamental part of Dominican culture. In fact, dances such as the merengue and the bachata are not only staples of social gatherings, but they have increased in sophistication and complexity to achieve representation on the public stage. These two dances have even outgrown the physical boundaries of the island and have arrived in the United States, carried in the veins of every Dominican who immigrates (De La Cruz). The Dominican dance, most notably the merengue and bachata, are alive as social dances within the American Latino community. Yet, Dominican folk dance has not followed the same trajectory towards the professional arena in the United States as achieved in its native country. In fact, I have been unable to find a dance company in the United States that includes any Dominican dance forms as part of the regular repertoire. The American dance community lacks the Dominican dance forms that produce such vibrant dance concerts in the Dominican Republic.
Recommended Citation
De La Cruz, Morgan and Debenham, Pat
(2013)
"Transitioning Traditional Dance to the Stage: Dominican Folk Dance in Concert,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2240.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2240