Ballroom explores the intersection of dance cultures, dress and the body. Presenting the author's experiences at an international range of dance events in Europe, the US and UK, as well as featuring the views of individual dancers, the book shows how dancing influences mind and body alike. For students of anthropology, dance, cultural and performance studies, Ballroom provides an ethnographic picture of how dancers and others live their lives both on and off the dance floor.
About the Author:
Jonathan S. Marion is Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at California State University, San Marcos and an adjunct faculty member at San Diego State University and at Palomar College
List of Tables and Illustrations
Prologue 1
Introduction 5
Pt. I Setting the Stage
1 What is Competitive Ballroom Dance? 19
2 A Brief History of Ballroom 31
3 Judging Ballroom Dance 39
Pt. II Performing Dancesport
4 Ballroom as Spectacle 55
5 Ballroom as Art 65
6 Ballroom as Sport 76
Pt. III Ballroom Competitions as Events
7 Competitions as Festival and Celebration 91
8 Competitions as Ritual 104
Pt. IV Costs, Consequences and Outcomes
9 Costumes and Conduct 123
10 Performing Gender 138
11 Living the Dancesport Life 151
12 Conclusion 168
Notes 177
References 189
Index 199
Anonymous
Posted July 27, 2008
Written like an academic text by an undergrad trying hard to impress a professor. The heavy nature of the writing made this book less than engaging, and certainly not a page turner. I was hoping to learn more about the competative ballrom dance industry, but insteaed, I sat through psych/soc vocab 101. Not recommended as a light read.
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Overview
Ballroom explores the intersection of dance cultures, dress and the body. Presenting the author's experiences at an international range of dance events in Europe, the US and UK, as well as featuring the views of individual dancers, the book shows how dancing influences mind and body ...