Dance Dance Generation

Plan an Eras Dance Party, Ancestor Edition.

It seems like everywhere you turn these days, it's all about Taylor Swift and her Eras tour. As a fan, I deeply admire Taylor's exceptional ability to foster connections and relationships. This concept is particularly relevant today and aligns perfectly with my passion for genealogy and family history. While listening to some Taylor Swift and brainstorming ways to make family history engaging and meaningful for my family and friends, it struck me: what better way to connect with our ancestors than through the universal language of dance and music?

In this blog post, I'll share ideas for activities you can enjoy with your family, friends, church community, and school groups. These activities will take you on a journey through time and across distant lands, exploring popular songs and dances from different eras and our ancestral homelands. From the lively swing tunes of the 1940s to the vibrant Irish step dance, let's gather together and celebrate our shared heritage on the dance floor.

Eras Dance Party

Step back in time with your ancestors. From the elegant ballroom dances of the Victorian era, the jazzy Charleston of the 1920s, the energetic swing of the 1940s, all the way up to modern day.

Suggested Planning Tips and Ideas:

• Organize the dances by decades or eras starting with those of your earliest known ancestors.

• Make the evening even more meaningful, come prepared with the names of ancestors who lived during these eras. This personal touch will help you forge a deeper connection with your family's past.

• Seek the wisdom and stories of the more "seasoned" generation to share their experiences of dancing in their youth.

• Have the "seasoned" generation instruct the younger generation, passing on these timeless steps. In return, let the youngsters add a modern twist to the evening by teaching the latest dance moves to the older generation.

• Include food and drinks from the respective eras to truly experience what a typical dance would have been like for your ancestors.

• Make it a costume party by encouraging everyone to dress up in attire from their favorite decade.

Cultural Heritage Dance Activity

Dance has always been a vital part of cultures worldwide, serving as a medium for storytelling, celebration, and community bonding. Through a multi-cultural dance party, immerse yourself in your cultural heritage and connect with your ancestors . Explore the rich traditions of various cultures by learning dances such as the Hawaiian Hula, the Irish Jig, and the Russian Barynya.

Suggested Planning Tips and Ideas:

• Choose several cultural backgrounds that represent the diverse members of your church, family, or community and select dances to highlight from each culture.

• Encourage participants to make the activity more meaningful by coming prepared with the names of ancestors to help forge a deeper connection to their heritage. Also allow them to share family stories and historical background about their heritage, the dances and their significance.

• Enlist anyone within your group who can demonstrate or teach the dances to everyone.

• Invite local cultural dance groups to perform and teach the dances, sharing the significance behind each one.

• For those who prefer to observe rather than dance, encourage them to bring a traditional dish from their culture to share, adding another layer of cultural celebration to the event.

• Decorate the space to reflect the diverse cultures being celebrated, with traditional music, costumes, and decorations.

Family Night Activity Ideas

• Have your own personal dance party. Transform your living room into a captivating time machine by decorating it to reflect the era you’ll be dancing through. Create an elegant Regency-inspired soirée with candlelit settings, or capture the vibrant spirit of the 1920s with bold colors and Art Deco accents. Thoughtful decor will enhance the immersive experience for everyone. Then turn up the tunes and dance the night away.

• Reach out to family members across generations and invite them to share stories about the dances they attended in their youth. Whether it’s your parents reminiscing about prom nights, your grandparents recalling ballroom dances, or your aunts and uncles talking about disco parties, everyone will have unique stories to share. Have them discuss the etiquette and social customs of their time, enriching the experience with their personal insights. Encourage them to bring along pictures or home movies to add a nostalgic touch. Then invite everyone to dust off their dancing shoes creating new memories while celebrating the old.

Don't forget to capture the magic of the moment by snapping photos and recording videos of your family dance party. These memories will serve as cherished reminders of the joyous occasion and the bonds forged through music and movement.

Couples Dance Lessons

• Turn date night into a journey through time by learning the dances your ancestors enjoyed. Whether you opt for a group date with friends or a more intimate evening with just you and your significant other, these lessons offer a unique opportunity to bond while connecting with your heritage.

If dancing isn't your cup of tea, here are some alternative ways to connect with your family through dance without stepping onto the dance floor:

• Contact family members asking them about their memories of the dances they went to in school or their community.

• Go through old yearbook photos to see if there are any pictures of your family at their prom or other high school dances. If you have a subscription to Ancestry.com they have a large collection of yearbooks you can view on-line.

• Search for articles or photos in archived newspapers that highlight dance performances. For example, recently found a cute article about my mom's first dance recital from when she was four years old. The Library of Congress has a historic newspaper site called Chronicling America which provides free access to many archived newspapers. You can also explore archived newspapers at your local library or through subscription sites such as genealogybank.com and Ancestry's newspapers.com

• Discover the history and significance of the dances from your heritage. The BYU International Folk Dance Team has YouTube channel featuring a plethora of performances that showcase traditional folk dances from around the world.
  

In the rhythm of the dance, we find a timeless connection to our ancestors and the eras they lived in. By embracing the music and dances of the past, we not only honor their legacy but also create new memories that will be cherished for generations to come.