Types of Dance Styles

International Standard Ballroom Dances

Ballroom Dance: Ballroom dancing is one of the most entertaining and elite styles of dancing. In the earlier days, ballroom dance was only for the privileged class of people, the socialites if you must. This style of dancing with a partner, originated in Germany, but is now a popular act followed in varied dance styles. Today, the popularity of ballroom dance is evident, given the innumerable shows and competitions worldwide that revere dance, in all its form.

This dance includes many other styles sub-categorized under this. There are many dance techniques that have been developed especially in America. The International Standard recognizes around 10 styles that belong to the category of ballroom dancing, whereas the American style has few forms that are different from those included under the International Standard.

Tango: It definitely does take two to tango and this dance also belongs to the American Style category. Like all ballroom dancers, the male has to lead the female partner. The choreography of this dance is what sets it apart from other styles, varying between the International Standard, and that which is American.

Waltz: The waltz is danced to melodic, slow music and is an equally beautiful dance form. The waltz is a graceful form of dance, that requires fluidity and delicate movement. When danced by the International Standard norms, this dance is performed more closely towards each other as compared to the American Style.

Foxtrot: Foxtrot, as a dance style, gives a dancer flexibility to combine slow and fast dance steps together. This social dance was named after the actor Harry Fox.

Viennese Waltz: This style of ballroom dance is based on the original form of the waltz. There are many versions of this style of dance. It originated in the latter period of the 18th century.

Quickstep: This style belongs to the International Style of Ballroom dancing which originated in the 1920s. This dance includes many steps with quick momentum. As seen in the move 'Dance With Me', the Foxtrot is both fun, and a dance that requires synchronicity.

Cha-Cha-Cha: The cha-cha-cha simply called the cha-cha is a type of Latin-American dance which is very rhythmic in its appeal. This dance is energetic with slow movements as well.

Rumba: This sensual dance is based on slow hip movement. Rumba belongs to the International Standard as well as the American style. This dance is known for the beauty of the steps that are coordinated on a slow rhythm.

Samba: This beautiful and energetic dance also has many forms. The steps may differ in Samba that is danced as per the ballroom style and the traditional style samba choreography.

Jive: This is yet another lively form of ballroom dance. This dance is also amongst the five dances that belong to the Latin American dance styles. Seen as a dance style that had taken the 30s and 40s (dancers moved mostly to jazz music) to perfect and pass on years later, still keeping it just as upbeat like it were back in the day.

Paso Doble: This lively dance is also an International Latin dance style with less emphasis on hip movement. The basic structure of this Latin dance is based on the sounds and the movements used in Spanish bullfights.

American Style Dances

Bolero: This type of dance style is basically slow and originated in Spain. It can be danced solo or as a couple.

Mambo: Mambo is a Latin dance that makes the use of many steps which are considered complex in origin. Mambo is also known as the root of salsa dance.

East Coast Swing: This type of partner dance is based on the Lindy Hop. East Coast Swing dancing consists of many simple steps that follow the basics of Lindy Hop.

Styles of Ballroom Dances Worldwide:

Salsa: Salsa has its base in areas of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. This partner dance is a very sensual form that is known for its flirtatious and lively antics. While dancing the salsa, the couples can even perform in the same spot, without shifting around the dance floor. The dance steps show many influences from other dances such as the Mambo, Changui, Palo, Rumba etc. There are many other various forms of the Salsa such as the Cuban style, New York style, Colombian style, and the Los Angeles style.

Merengue: This type of dance requires the partners to be together in a close position. The steps are often in circular movements or away from each other in a sideway fashion. There are many intricate steps to this dance.

Bachata: This is a romantic style of dance that finds its origins in the Dominican Republic. The Bachata is a little similar to the Merengue.

Lambada: Sexy and stylish, the lambada is a Brazilian dance that is performed as a couple or even in groups. This dance was particularly in the limelight because of the famous track 'Lambada' by a music group, 'Kaoma'.

Polka: This is a style of dance that also refers to a type of music. The Polka is a fast-paced dance, which is also present in various styles.

Hustle: The Hustle is performed as a Ballroom dance and is very popular in nightclubs as well. The Hustle was particularly popular due to the movie, 'Saturday Night Fever'.

Swing Dance: The Swing dance style originated in the 1920s - 1930s. There are many versions of the Swing dance such as the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, West Coast Swing, Rock and Roll etc. Rock 'n' Roll is a very sporty form of dance that is extremely popular as well. Boogie Woogie is another dance style that is seen mainly in Europe. This dance is also seen in competitions.

Ballet Dance: Ballet is the kind of dance that a lot of us wish we could mimic, given the way the dancers glide over the dance floor, often a dance that portrays a story or idea. This dance was developed in France and Russia. Classical ballet is the most formal and common style of ballet. Apart from this, there is Neoclassical ballet and Contemporary ballet.

Breakdance: Michael Jackson popularized breakdancing to a huge extent. Breakdancing is actually a form of street dance that was a part of the hip-hop culture. Breakdance is relatively a male dominated type of dance style. This type of dance is characterized with 'dance battles' between groups. The 'Downrock' and the 'Freeze' are some of the typical forms of breakdance.

Hip Hop Dance: This style is actually a street dance style and is a combination of dance moves combined with loads of attitude as well as colorful dance-wear. In the early days, this style was generally seen in breakdancing and from there on, one could witness many innovations of this dance style. There are various other styles used with hip hop dance, which includes popping and locking. The hip-hop outfits have to be selected with care, which helps to add to the overall appeal of the dance form.

Step Dance: This category includes dances that make use of footwork. This type of dance generally require one to have a rigid stance with more movement of one's feet. Step dances are basically social dances. A good example of this dance would be Irish dancing.

Tap Dance: Tap dance is an extremely popular form of dance. Here the emphasis is on the movements of the feet and steps that create a tapping sound. This dance finds its origins in the United States. The tapping sound is due to the presence of metal plates on the soles of the shoes.

Flamenco Dance: The flamenco dance and music is very much a major part of the culture of Spain. The beautiful songs play a major role for this type of dance style. This beautiful style is also particularly noticeable due to the gorgeous costumes. The music always includes the flamenco guitar.

Fandango: This dance style is one of the main dances in Portugal. It involves the tapping of the feet and quick changes of the position. This is a folk dance, which has its origins in Southern Spain. However, there are many theories about the origins of the same.

Jazz Dance: Jazz dance finds its origins in the African-American culture. From the olden days till date, there are many influences that have added variety to this dance form. One can see many overlapping steps in jazz dancing, which are common to others. These steps in Jazz dance that mimic other forms are the ball change, the pivot step, the toe rise, the pirouettes, the jazz walk etc. Jazz dance is basically an energetic form that is equally graceful like other dances. This type of dance can also incorporate various styles.

Folk Dance: Folk dances are always performed in groups at social events. This does not mean the dancers need to be professionally trained. A folk dance can be attempted by all types of common folk. Every country and region has its own unique style of folk dance. There are various forms of folk dances one can see all over the world. From the energetic Indian folk dances to the Scottish country dances, they have their own beauty and charm.

Modern Dance: Modern dance involves the use of many dance steps that are unusual and often interpret a dancer's emotions and mood. The dancer in this case typically performs on bare feet. In Modern dance, it's not only the choreography that speaks about the emotions to be conveyed. The lighting, costumes and props are used with great creativity to arrange interesting and unusual dance sequences.

Country/ Western Dances: These types of dances are performed with country music. These social dances follow the typical pattern where the male leads in the dance and the partner follows. Therefore, this dance style includes both, the partner as well as the group dances. The country/western dances, which are partner based, include the Two Step, Waltz, Polka, Cotton Eyed Joe etc. The group dances include the Line dance, the Square dance, traditional Square dance, modern Western square dance etc.

Contra Dance: This dance is a form of folk dancing. Here, the couples have to dance in two lines. These couples also have to face each other. There are various sequences, which couples need to perform. This social dance is a very fun form and is also very easy to learn.

Belly Dance: There are many theories about the origins of this form of dance. Some say this dance originated in ancient upper Egypt where a few say its basics were developed in Uzbekistan and then were passed on to India. Belly dance is more particularly danced in nightclubs and is now also emerging as a new way to remain fit, especially for the ladies. The basic steps involve the use of circular movements by the hips with a shimmy for the shoulders. Belly dancing would require one to be really flexible. The costumes are rather bold and often revealing. This is sometimes combined with face veils and hip belts with embellishments.

Traditional Indian Dances

India is a land of great mix of cultures, with a wide variety of dances that can range from folk to the classical. The Indian dances all vary as per the region it originates from and each have a distinct style from the steps to the kind of costumes worn. Besides, these also represent a particular culture. The steps are based around a strict style that is followed by the people who know them well. Improvisations come in later. The also makes the use of 'Natya' or acting to portray stories, often of folklore and myth.

Kathak: Kathak is characterized with fast footwork and numerous 'chakkars' or spins used in the compositions. This originated from the northern part of India. The name is actually a Sanskrit word which means katha - to tell a story. Kathak, like all other traditional dances of India follow the pattern where the guru passes on the knowledge to the student, also known as the 'shishya'. Kathak is also performed in various styles or Gharanas, such as the Lucknow Gharana, Jaipur Gharana, Rajgarh Gharana and the Banaras Gharana. Today, with the popularity of fusion, Kathak is used combined with newly incorporated steps to keep up with modern times, while still remaining traditional.

Kathakali: The main feature about Kathakali is the striking costumes and makeup. This is a form of dance drama that originated in the Southern state of Kerala. The makeup used is one of the most interesting features of this dance. This is an elaborate procedure, which is combined with a large decorative headgear.

Mohiniattam: This has its origins in Kerala. A very graceful dance, the performance in this case are generally solo and mainly performed by women. This includes very rhythmic movements with elaborate mudras. Mudras are hand gestures used to express a particular meaning.

Bharatnatyam: One of the popular dances in India along with Kathak, is Bharatnatyam, where it originates from a place in the south known as Tamil Nadu. This uses the base of storytelling combined with pure dance movements. The dance is also distinctive due to the particular styles of dressing and makeup. The origins of this dance go back to the Natya Shastra. In the ancient days, this was performed only by the Devdasis. However, in recent times, this dance is not only popular in India, it has traveled across the globe as well.

Odissi: This classical dance has its origins in Orissa, India and can be distinguished from other styles of Indian dance due to the specific movements of the body. Like all other forms, the knowledge is passed on from the teacher to the student (guru to shishya).

Kuchipudi: This classical Indian dance has its roots in Andhra Pradesh. Danced on the accompaniment of Carnatic music, this dance is also gaining popularity outside India. The style may be a little similar to Bharatnatyam, however, there are many unique steps that belong purely to this dance.

Manipuri: Manipuri is quite different from other forms of Indian dance in terms of the costume as well as the steps. The dancer uses subtle movements, basically, using many rhythmic movements that qualify as gentle and simple, without pomp. The costume can be distinguished easily due to the stiff cylindrical skirt.

Sattriya: This style originates from Assam. This was the creation of Sankardeva. As per the records, it's observed that only males perform this dance style. Initially, there was a delay in the inclusion of this style of dance as a traditional Indian dance. However, since 2000, it received the recognition by the Sangeet Natak Academy.

Bhangra: A very lively dance, the Bhangra has its origins in Punjab. The energetic movements, particularly of the men, accompanied by the beating of the drums are a sight to behold. The costumes are colorful and add to the liveliness of the atmosphere. Bhangra music and dance is now incorporated even in pop music and has spread to many areas around the world.

Lavani: This folk dance is very popular and was first seen during the Peshwa rule. This dance is accompanied by typical music where the lead dancer is accompanied by a group of other dancers in the background. This has its origins in Maharashtra.

Garba: This is often compared to the social dances that are seen in the West. Garba is danced in a circular format amongst groups and has its origins in Gujarat. Like other Indian dances, this is performed also for religious purposes. Today, Garba also sees influences from Raas - another traditional dance. The dandiya raas is very popular and is performed with sticks.

Dekhni: Dekhni is one of the popular folk dances of Goa. This dance has an interesting combination of Western as well as Indian music, and is always centered around a girl. The theme is based on a girl who wants to cross the river and needs to persuade the boatman to help her cross the same. The other dancers carry small lit clay lamps.

Bollywood Dance: The Indian film industry (Bollywood) is known for its inclusion of the song and dance routine in most of its movies. Form the olden days till date; there has been a massive change in the styles that are presented. The dances in the olden days were subtle and often incorporated folk dances, or western dancing (as seen in Indian black and white films). However, in recent times, women especially have been given a bold look and there is the merging of discotheque sequences and steps that are very typical of Bollywood. The craze for this song and dance routine is such that there are special shows designed for the fans abroad so that they can get a glimpse of their favorite stars dancing to Bollywood tracks.

This was a glimpse of all the types of dance styles that are performed all across the world. It's interesting to note the different variations and styles that dancers use. The talent has grown exponentially in the past couple of years, with even kids taking the limelight. There is no limit when it comes to dancing, since change and improvisation is at its peak, with dance taking a whole new platform in today's world.

Read more at Buzzle: SOURCE: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-dances-and-different-dancing-styles.html

Belly dance or bellydance is a Western-coined name for a "traditional West Asian" dance, especially raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقصشرقي). It is sometimes also called Middle Eastern dance or Arabic dance in the West.

The term "belly dance" is a translation of the French "danse du ventre" which was applied to the dance in the Victorian era. It is something of a misnomer as every part of the body is involved in the dance; the most featured body part is usually the hips. Belly dance takes many different forms depending on the country and region, both in costume and dance style, and new styles have evolved in the West as its popularity has spread globally. Although contemporary forms of the dance have generally been performed by women, some of the dances, particularly the cane dance, have origins in male forms of performance.

Raqs sharqi (Arabic: رقصشرقي; literally "eastern/oriental dancing") is the style more familiar to Westerners, performed in restaurants and cabarets around the world. It is more commonly performed by female dancers but is also sometimes danced by men. It is a solo improvisational dance, although students often perform choreographed dances in a group.

Raqs baladi, (Arabic: بلدي literally "local dancing", or "folk" dance) is the ;رقصfolkloric style, danced socially by men and women of all ages in some Middle Eastern countries, usually at festive occasions such as weddings. However, this naming is used synonymously in Egypt with Raqs sharqi as a generic term for "belly dancing".

Belly dance was popularized in the West during the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, when Orientalist artists depicted romanticized images of harem life in the Ottoman Empire. Around this time, dancers from Middle Eastern countries began to perform at various World's Fairs, often drawing crowds in numbers that rivaled those for the science and technology exhibits. It was during this period that the term "oriental" or "eastern" dancing was first used. Several dancers, including the French author Colette, engaged in "oriental" dance, sometimes passing off their own interpretations as authentic.

Belly dancing in pop culture

Belly dancing has recently been repopularized by Latin American superstar Shakira. She is Colombian and Lebanese, which has influenced her style. She has put a modern spin on the art whilst still using traditional moves; some of her routines incorporate Zumba or Latin American styles. Videos of hers that belly dance is used in include "Whenever, Wherever," "Hips Don't Lie," "She Wolf," "Ojos Así," "Beautiful Liar," "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," "Loca" and "Gypsy."

The Brazilian novella O Clone (also known as El Clon in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States) is set in Brazil and Morocco and featured belly dancing in many episodes. The lead character, Jade (Giovanna Antonelli), used it to entice her lover Lucas (Murilo Benício) and to soothe and seduce her husband Said (Dalton Vigh).

Several James Bond films have featured belly dancers. In The Man With the Golden Gun, the belly dancer Saida wears a spent bullet in her navel, which Bond accidentally swallows while trying to retrieve it.

In the Beatles' movie Help! there is a restaurant scene which Paul McCartney enters with the other Beatles and attempts conversation with a belly dancer.

R&B singer Aaliyah used the belly roll as her signature move. Other singers and actresses who have performed belly dance moves include Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Yvonne De Carlo, Jessica Simpson, Beyoncé, Ciara, and Hilary Duff.

Probably the most famous belly dance troupe is the group formed by Miles Copeland III: Bellydance Superstars tours internationally, furthering the popularity of bellydance around the world by performing over 700 shows in over 22 countries. Gravitating from small theatres and clubs the troupe now performs in much the same venues as Riverdance and other mainstream dance shows. The shows have made stars of several of its dancers, including Rachel Brice, Jillina, Sonia, Petite Jamilla, and Kami Liddle.

Documentaries about belly dance include American Bellydancer, Belly, and Temptation of Bellydance.

Today bellydance itself has become an industry. It includes numerous weekly classes around the world. The most popular classes take place in Egypt at the Ahlan WaSahlan annual festival. There are also courses that can be taken via the Nile Group in Egypt. This group featured one of the world's top male raqs artists, Tito Seif.

The bellydance costume industry is also very large. There are many other suppliers and costumers found at the many festivals. Khan al Khalili is the world's most popular spot for bellydance wear/Raqswear and continues to attract millions of visitors every year.

Belly dance in AsiaA belly dancer performances in Delhi, India.

Asia now has belly dancing competitions, like the Asia Global Belly Dance Competition.

Health and belly dancing

Belly dance is a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise and is thus suitable for all ages. Belly Dancing for Fitness It is a good exercise for the prevention of osteoporosis in older people. Many of the moves involve isolations, which improves flexibility of the torso. Belly dance moves are beneficial to the spine, as the full-body undulation moves lengthens (decompress) and strengthens the entire column of spinal and abdominal muscles in a gentle way.

Dancing with a veil can help build strength in the upper body, arm and shoulders. Playing the zills trains fingers to work independently and builds strength. The legs and long muscles of the back are strengthened by hip movements.

Paffrath researched the effect of belly dance on women with menstruation problems. The subjects reported a more positive approach toward their menstruation, sexuality, and bodies.

Beginning in the late 1990s, belly dance hit the mainstream marketplace and with fitness videos/DVDs by such artists as Veena and Neena, Rania Bossonis, and Dolphina. These videos are still popular throughout the world and have been credited with opening a new market of belly dance fitness classes throughout the US and abroad.

Steps and technique

Most of the movements in belly dancing involve isolating different parts of the body (hips, shoulders, chest, stomach, etc.), which appear similar to the isolations used in jazz ballet, but are often driven differently. Correct posture and muscle control is as important in belly dance as it is in other fields of dance.[1]

In most belly dance styles, the focus is on the hip and pelvic area. Due to the diversity of styles and 'origins' of the dance, many of the moves are referred to by a wide variety of different terminologies. However, from an observer's point of view bellydance includes certain key elements.

Important moves are:

Shiver or Shimmy – a shimmering vibration of the hips. This vibration is usually layered onto other movements to create depth in performance. The simplest shimmy is created by moving the knees past each other at high speed, but contractions of the glutes, thighs or lower back may be used instead to create different qualities of movement. The shimmy can be performed in different directions - up and down, side-to-side, or in a forward and back swinging motion. The same move can be performed using the chest and shoulders, sometimes called a shoulder shimmy.

Hip hits – A staccato movement of the hips out from the body. This can also be performed using other body parts such as the shoulders or chest. The move is usually achieved by isolating the hip area and contracting the glute muscles to move the hips up or down. The dancer's weight can either be distributed across both legs or on one leg with the toes of the other foot pointed.

Undulations – Fluid movements of the hips or of the chest and abdominal muscles in a circular or rotating fashion. There are a wide variety of movements of this kind, of which the most well known is probably the rotating movements of the chest forward, up, back and down to create the impression of riding a camel.

Different styles also incorporate kicks and arm movements as an integral part of the style.

HIP HOP DANCE

Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. The television show Soul Train and the 1980s films Breakin', Beat Street, and Wild Style showcased these crews and dance styles in their early stages; therefore, giving hip-hop mainstream exposure. The dance industry responded with a commercial, studio-based version of hip-hop—sometimes called new style—and a hip-hop influenced style of jazz dance called jazz-funk. Classically trained dancers developed these studio styles in order to create choreography from the hip-hop dances that were being performed on the street. Because of this development, hip-hop dance is practiced in both dance studios and outdoor spaces.

The commercialization of hip-hop dance continued into the 1990s and 2000s with the production of several other television shows and movies such as The Grind, Planet B-Boy, Rize, StreetDance 3D, America's Best Dance Crew, Saigon Electric, the Step Up film franchise, and The LXD, a web series. Though the dance is established in entertainment, including mild representation in theater, it still maintains a strong presence in urban neighborhoods which has led to the creation of street dance derivatives turfing, krumping, and jerkin'.

Entertainment, international competitions, business developments, and the Internet have contributed to introducing hip-hop dance outside of the United States. Europe in particular host several international competitions such as The UK B-Boy Championships, Juste Debout, and EuroBattle. Expansions in dancewear, the convention circuit, and agency representation both within the U.S. and abroad occurred in response to hip-hop's growing presence in the dance industry. In addition, the film companies YAK Films and Juba Films have produced many dance videos exclusively through online platforms.

What distinguishes hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvisational) in nature and hip-hop dance crews often engage in freestyle dance competitions, colloquially referred to as battles. Crews, freestyling, and battles are identifiers of this style. Hip-hop dance can be a form of entertainment or a hobby. It can also be a lifestyle: a way to be active in competitive dance and a way to make a living by dancing professionally.

History

Main article: History of hip-hop dance

Hip-hop dance is a broad category that includes a variety of urban styles. The older dance styles that were created in the 1970s include uprock, breaking, and the funk styles.[1] Breaking was created in The Bronx, New York, incorporating dances that were popular in the 1960s and early 1970s in African-American and Latino communities.[2] In its earliest form, it began as elaborations on James Brown's "Good Foot" dance which came out in 1972.[1][3][4] Breaking at this period was not primarily floor oriented as seen today; it started out as toprock which dancers perform while standing up. An influence on toprock was uprock[5] which was created in Brooklyn, New York.[6][7] It looks similar to toprock, but it is more aggressive and looks like a

fight. Uprock is done with partners, but in toprock—and in breaking in general—each person takes turns dancing.[8] In 1973 DJ Kool Herc invented the break beat.[9][10] A break beat is a rhythmic, musical interlude of a song that has been looped over and over again to extend that instrumental solo. Kool Herc did this to provide a means for dancers who attended his parties to demonstrate their skills.[10] B-boy and b-girl stands for "break-boy" and "break-girl"; b-boys and b-girls dance to the break of a record.[10] Further influenced by martial arts [11] and gymnastics, breaking went from being a purely upright dance style—toprock only—to becoming more floor oriented.

At the same time breaking was developing in New York, other styles were being created in California. The funk styles refers to several street dance styles created in California in the 1970s that were danced to funk music.[12] These styles include roboting, bopping, hitting, locking, bustin', popping, electric boogaloo, strutting, sac-ing, dime-stopping, etc.[13] The most popular and widely practiced of the funk styles are locking and popping. Locking is older than popping and it was created in the late 1960s whereas popping was created in the 1970s.[14] The television show, Soul Train, helped to spread locking and popping's popularity. Both The Lockers and the Electric Boogaloos—dance crews responsible for the spread of these urban styles—performed on this show.[12]

It would be historically inaccurate to say that the funk styles have always been considered hip-hop. The funk styles were adopted into hip-hop in large part due to the media.[15] Once hip-hop activist and DJ, Afrika Bambaataa, used the word "hip-hop" in a magazine interview in 1982, "hip-hop dance" became an umbrella term encompassing all of these styles.[16] Due to the amount of attention locking and popping were receiving, the media brought these styles under the "breakdance" label causing confusion about their origin.[17][18] They were created on the west coast independent from breaking and came out of the funk cultural movement rather than from the hip-hop cultural movement.[12][15]

As breaking, locking, and popping were gaining popularity in the 1980s, hip-hop social dancing (party dancing) was growing as well. Novelty and fad dances such as the Roger Rabbit, the Cabbage Patch, and the Worm appeared in the 1980s followed by the Humpty dance and the Running Man in the 1990s.[19]:48 The music of the day was the driving force in the development of these dances. For example, 1980s rap group Gucci Crew II had a song called "The Cabbage Patch" that the dance of the same name was based on.[19]:33 More recent social dances include the Cha Cha Slide, the Cat Daddy, and the Dougie. The previously mentioned dances are a sample of the many that have appeared since hip-hop developed into a distinct dance style. Like hip-hop music, hip-hop social dancing has continued to change as new songs are released and new dances are created to accompany them.

International competitions

See also: List of street dance competitions and B-boying#World championships

UK B-Boy Championships was founded by DJ Hooch in 1996 in London.[140][141] There are four world championship titles: breaking crew champions, solo b-boy champion, solo popping champion, and locking two-on-two champions.[142] The world finals also include

the "Fresh Awards" (best dressed) which are hosted and judged every year by Richard "Crazy Legs" Colón—the president of Rock Steady Crew.[143] In 2011 DJ Hooch wrote a book about the competition called B-Boy Championships: From Bronx to Brixton.[29][note 12]

Freestyle Session was founded in 1997 in California by graffiti writer and DJ Chris "Cros1" Wright.[144][145] It is the largest breaking competition in the United States.[146] The main competitive event is for b-boy crews, but there are also popping and locking competitions for solo competitors.[12][145] Although the U.S. is the flagship location for Freestyle Session, it is not the only country where it is held. Promoters outside the U.S. pay Cros1 to use Freestyle Session's name and fly him to their location to judge the competition.[147] Using this method, Freestyle Session has been held in 18 other countries including Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and Venezuela.[147]

Hip Hop International: World Hip Hop Dance Championships (HHI) is a hip-hop dance competition founded in 2002 in the United States where both crews and soloist compete.[148] There are two categories of competitions: world battles and world championship. The world championship is for hip-hop crews. There are four divisions: junior (ages 7–12), varsity (12–18), adult (18+), and mega crew (all ages).[149] Each crew must have at least five but not more than eight people (mega crew must have 15–40) and must perform a routine that showcases three styles of hip-hop dance.[97] For the 2009 competition, there were 120 crews representing 30 countries.[97] Within the world battles category, there are four world championship titles: three-on-three breaking champions, one-on-one popping champion, one-on-one locking champion, and one-on-one all styles (freestyle) champion. HHI also runs the USA Hip Hop Dance Championships and produces the television show America's Best Dance Crew.[148]

Juste Debout is an international street dance competition founded in 2002 by Bruce Ykanji in Paris.[12][150] Competition categories include popping, hip-hop, locking, house, toprock, and experimental. Breaking is not included to put more focus on the hip-hop dance styles performed while standing up, hence the name (French for Just Standing). There are not any team trophies at Juste Debout. The experimental and toprock categories are only for solo dancers; popping, new style, locking, and house are for duos.[150] Juste Debout also publishes a free bimonthly dance magazine of the same name.[151] In 2008 the editor-in-chief of Juste Debout magazine, Ingrid "Shéyen" Gamboa, wrote a book called Hip-hop: L'histoire de la danse (Hip Hop: A history of the dance).[152]

United Dance Organization: World Street Dance Championships (UDO) is a street dance competition founded in 2002 in the United Kingdom.[153] It is endorsed by choreographers Ashley Banjo and Sisco Gomez and dancers Twist and Pulse and George Sampson.People can compete in teams, in quads (four people), in duos, or as solo dancers. Solo dancers compete in breaking, locking, popping, house, and krumping. UDO also runs the British Street Dance Championships and the European Street Dance Championships, but the European championships are held in Germany rather than the U.K.

Street Dance Kemp Europe (SDK Europe) is an international competition and dance convention that was founded in 2004 in the Czech Republic; it is held every year in Jedovnice.[156] There are team events for three-on-three breaking crew and five-on-five hip-hop crew and solo competitive events for house, krumping, locking, and hip-hop dancers. SDK Europe begins every year in the summer and lasts seven days. Daytime hours are reserved primarily for dance workshops and classes taught by an international pool of instructors; competitive events are held at night.[157][158] All of the classes, workshops, and competitive events are held outside and—although hotels or cottages are an option—many participants stay in tents and camp outside on the SDK event grounds.[158]

EuroBattle was founded in 2005 in Portugal by Max from Momentum crew.[29]:184 There are five competitive events for solo dancers: b-boying, b-girling, hip-hop, locking, and popping.[159] The international final is held in Porto but the winner of the Spanish qualifying tournament also gets to compete at the UK B-Boy Championships in London.[29]:184

World Supremacy Battlegrounds is an international hip-hop dance competition based in Australia. The heritage of World Supremacy Battlegrounds goes back to 2002 when it began as GROOVE, a local hip-hop competition held in Sydney.[160] Over the three years that followed, the competition was renamed Battlegrounds and went national to include dance crews from all over Australia.[160] It became international in 2006 when crews from the Philippines, Japan, and New Zealand entered the competition.[160] For the 2011 competition, teams from Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Guam, New Zealand, Samoa, and South Africa came to compete.[161] There are four dance crew categories: open (all ages), junior (12 and under), varsity (12–18), and monster (all ages).[161] A monster crew must have 20–40 members whereas the other crew categories only require 4–16.

World of Dance Tour (WOD) is a traveling hip-hop dance competition founded in 2008 by Myron Marten and David Gonzales in Pomona, California.[162] It differs from other competitions because there is no final championship. WOD travels to different cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and holds a competition in each location; therefore, WOD distinguishes itself as a tour.[163][164] Each tour stop is a stand-alone competition; they are all related to each other in name only. In 2012 WOD will travel to New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Cardiff, Vancouver, Toronto, San Diego, Montreal, Boston, Manchester, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Birmingham (England).[163][164]

World Dance Colosseum is a two-on-two dance competition founded in 2009 in Japan. There are five two-on-two world championship titles: b-boying, locking, popping, hip-hop, and house.[165] Japanese dancers qualify for the international final through preliminary tournaments held in the country but foreign dancers do not qualify through tournaments because 30 of the top-ranked foreign dancers are automatically invited to participate in the final.[166] At the final, the winning duos from the Japanese tournaments

compete against the top-ranked foreign duos to determine who is the best.[166] There is also a "kids" title (hip-hop) at the world finals but this event is only for Japanese children