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A Dance in Danger of Extinction

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A Dance in Danger of Extinction. The history of Zambra. Forbidden for centuries, Zambra is a Spanish dance and music tradition of Moorish, Sephardi and Gypsy origins that has survived against all odds for more than 500 years to become a cultural phenomenon during the first half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, Zambra  (also known as Zambra Mora) is now an art in danger of extinction. This dance style would have originally been seen at gypsy weddings. It has a Moorish style and can be considered similar to belly dancing. It was established, like other dance styles like this, in Andalusia, which is similar to a state, in Spain.  What is Zambra? They dance barefoot and playing finger cimbalini, with the blouse knotted under the bust and the wide skirt fixed at the hip with wide folds that allow it to float in the air. The name "Zambra" means party. The Zambra ceremony was absorbed, learned and transformed by the new Sacromonte tribes, who at some point began to show it and ke...
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Paso Doble Origin and Impact

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Where it all began. Just like last time, this dance style originated in/ around Spain. It is different based on the source you may read but it is said to have began in 1780. Of course, in that time the dance was very different but now many people even get it confused with Flamenco. It adapted into marching music for Spanish infantry troops because of the beat and pace of the music. "In the nineteenth century, paso doble songs also served as music for Spanish bullfights during the paseo, or entrance into the ring." (Masterclass)  America's perception. The way that our culture looks at this dance form is much different than how it is/was viewed in Spain. Spanish culture would compare this dance style to bull fighting considering that is what it originally started as. "Paso Doble steps represent a bullfight, with the male partner—the matador—in the lead, and the female partner following." (Masterclass)  Now days the reason many people in America know what Paso Dobl...
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Flamenco in Spain

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Stereotypes or History? Flamenco Dance in Spain and the World. As stated in my last blog I will be giving you a brief  rundown of all things related to different dance styles. This blog will be focused on Flamenco dance and its cultural significance, most common use of the style, and how it began versus where it is at today. To truly understand Flamenco dance we need to understand the history associated with it. Outside of Spain people look at Flamenco as the key to Spanish living. In American media we may use Flamenco to stereotype what life is like in Spain. For example, in Toy Story 3: Buzz Lightyear is mistakenly reset in “Spanish mode,” and becomes a passionate Spanish flamenco dancer (Smithsonian Magazine). When watching the scene you may look at it as embarrassing, incorrect or just plain laughable. The American media does this all the time to make a joke or simply to make fun of the aforementioned cultural item. But, the way that people outside of Spain look at Flamenc...
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Dancing in Spain

Your passion may effect the world.       You may have a passion. You have loved this certain thing your entire life, almost to the point where you are unable to explain how this passion truly makes you feel. Maybe it is an outlet for you, maybe this passion fuels your fire and keeps you going everyday, or maybe this passion is simply that, a passion.      My name is Krystal Meazell. I am a junior at Texas Tech studying Media Strategies and Public Relations and I am originally from Abilene, TX. I have a passion like many of you. I have grown up my entire life dancing, as I have grown, of course I still love dance, but I have come to realize that I am passionate about creativity. What makes people listen to a song and imagine a movement that would go along with it? How are people equipped with the ability to hear music in a way no one else can? I will be spending this semester telling you a little bit more about my passion and a country that is just as p...
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Location: Seville, Spain
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