Action - What?
This dance highlights an incredible range of body movements, as the main female dancer moves different body parts, in different ways, to create different shapes.
Dynamics - How?
There's such a wide variety of types of movement in this dance that I think it's perfect for illustrating dynamics. As the music changes, the dancers change the way they move, so that at times they are moving fluidly and at times they are moving stiffly. None of the movements in this dance particularly resemble 'normal' human movements, which makes the dynamics of the dancer's movements particularly interesting.
Time - When?
Flamenco features a strong sense of rhythm and beat, as well as sudden, dramatic changes of tempo. The dancer regularly changes her movements to reflect the changing duration of the music.
Space - Where?
This video clearly highlights the different was that the body can take up space. The dance also explores different ways of moving across the space of the screen and uses high, medium and low levels to help create the story.
Relationships - Who?
Flash mob dances are ideal for considering relationships as they present a unique take on the relationship between audience and dancer. Students can also look at the relationships between the dancers (who are the leaders? how many are professional dancers? what everyday outfits are they wearing? what type of people are represented? is everyone dancing in the same way or in different ways?)
Structure
I think the showmanship of Lord of the Dance nicely illustrates the use of structure as an element of dance. Actions are repeated throughout the dance, the space is utilised to increase the sense of grandeur and the dancers perform both together and in contrast to create a dynamic, unified performance.
