Initial Ideas and Research

Dance is an art. Not just a sport, not just movement, it's a passion. I've always wondered if it's too late to dance, the answer is “NO", it is never too late.
I dance because I connect with it, and age should not stop me from doing what I
love.

African Dance is my dance style. 
It is a therapy, that gives me energy and is inspirational. It is strongly associated with the rhythm that harmonizes music with the movement of the body. The music itself has the magical ability to express both sad and happy emotions.

What is my idea?
I would like to introduce you the very strong style of dance called Afro House and Kuduro that blends traditional African dance steps with more modern dance movements such as hip-hop, funk and jazz, all performing with strictly African mannerisms.

Kuduro 
Comes from Angola and became popular in the late 90s in the music and
dance scene. Due to the upbeat nature of Kuduro music (usually 140 beats/min), it creates an energetic part of the dance, mainly using the hips and fast leg work.
However, it becomes an expression of happiness.

Afro-house
It is a form of dance derived from the energetic Kuduro style. This is a lighter, more flexible version of Kuduro. The movements are influenced by
Pantsula, South Africa, Kwait, and recently Azono and Coupé Decalé, along with
other forms of dance. It has a very rhythmic and pleasant style, requiring
concentration on the movement of footwork.

My heart remains in these two styles, although I have recently taken a liking to
another style called Coupé Decalé and has very much aroused my interest.
Coupé Decalé 
It's a music and dance from the Ivory Coast. The style began in the Abidjan nightclub in France in the early 2000s.
Coupé Decalé is very percussive with African samples, deep bass and repetitive minimalism.
Each of this style is very fascinating, but I've chosen only one for my project, which is the Coupé Decalé but will there will be also some influences from Kuduro and Afro House. I can't wait for the final piece.
















References:
- Rough-and-ready. 2010.Encyclopedia Of Kuduro. [online] Available at:
<https://readymadebouquet.wordpress.com/encyclopedia-of-kuduro/> [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- Afropedea.org. n.d.Coupé Decalé – Afropedea. [online] Available at:
<http://www.afropedea.org/coupe-decale> [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- Koné, Y., 2014. The Popular Movement of Coupé-Décalé. Anthropology of an Urban and Coastal
Dance.Global Journal of Anthropology Research, 1(1), pp.20-24.
- Pressure Radio. n.d.Afro House Music Genre Meaning History Meaning South Africa Origins.
[online] Available at: <https://pressureradio.com/afro-house/> [Accessed 9 March 2020].
- motion*s. n.d. Afro House Kuduro - Bei Lil' Clowi - Motion*S. [online] Available at: <https://www.motionsberlin.de/en/kurse/afro-house-kuduro/> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Conexaolusofona.org. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.conexaolusofona.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11119645_10203002756868743_579009251_n.jpg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Nytimes.com. n.d. So, You Think It’S African Dance?. [online] Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/arts/dance/23african.html> [Accessed 16 March 2020].
- Myglobalhustle.com. n.d. [online] Available at: <http://www.myglobalhustle.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kuduro4.jpeg> [Accessed 16 March 2020].