Wendy Buonaventura

Dancing Women from Salome to Madonna

Something in the Way She Moves

Timeo Williams

I found this book pretty interesting! It gave what was a somewhat broad overview of the history of dance in a matter of roughly 250 pages.

Dance, according to Buonaventura, is deeply connected to the times society is in. Factors such as the ratio of men to women in society, STD's, the economy - can all impact the prevalence of one dance over another and how tightly regulated one form of dance can be practiced. 

We're given a short history lesson of the waltz, tango, "jazz" and the times from which they were given birth. This was by far among the most interesting parts of the book. 

Also interesting, was noticing a pattern that we forget in this day and age: Centuries ago, people worried about society becoming an amoral society. Today's worries of porn and its impact was yesterday's worries of two strangers dancing the waltz in a ballroom. 

I'd like to share one quote from the book I found fascinating on pg. 158:

"The English people ... rise and have an early breakfast of eggs and bacon, and ham and kidneys, and porridge. They then don mackintoshes and go forth into the humid country till lunch, when they eat many courses, ending with Devonshire cream.
From lunch to five o'clock they are supposed to be busy with their correspondence, though I believe they really go to sleep. At five they descend to their tea, consisting of many kinds of cakes and bread and butter and jam, After that, they make a pretence of playing bridge, until it is time to proceed to the really important business of they day-dressing for dinner, at which they appear in evening dress, the ladies very decollete, and the gentlemen in starched shirts to demolish a twenty-course dinner. When this is over they engage in some light political conversation or touch upon philosophy until the time comes to retire. "

Something in the Way She Moves Dancing Women from Salome to Madonna

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