Preceden

History of Dance Timeline

(2000 BCE - Present)

Learn about the evolution of dance through time, from its origins in ancient civilizations to the diverse styles and techniques of modern dance. Less

Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Development of Ballet

Origins of ballet dancing

1400 - 1499

The origins of ballet dancing can be traced to the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century.

Courtly ballet reaches its peak

1600 - 1699

In the 17th century, courtly ballet reached its peak under the rule of King Louis XIV.

Ballet migrates to Paris Opéra

1700 - 1799

By the 18th century, ballet had migrated from the French and Italian royal courts to the Paris Opéra under the careful direction of composer/dancer Jean-Baptiste Lully.

Ballet transitions to performance art

1700 - 1799

During the 18th century, ballet transitioned from a courtly dance of moving images as a spectacle to performance art in its own right.

Image source: Ballet

Ballet transitions to performance art

Dance reforms by Jean Georges Noverre

1760

It was not until choreographer Jean Georges Noverre called for dance reforms in 1760 with his Letters on Dancing and Ballets that costumes became more conducive.

Attempts to break the mold of classical ballet

1900 - 1999

Since the Ballets Russes began revolutionizing ballet in the early 20th century, there have been continued attempts to break the mold of classical ballet.

Image source: Contemporary ballet

Attempts to break the mold of classical ballet

Influence of Cultural Movements

India's freedom and dance revival

1947

In 1947, India won its freedom and created for dance an ambience where it could regain its past glory.

Image source: Indian classical dance

India's freedom and dance revival

Religious prohibition on dancing

1979

Religious prohibition to dancing waxed and waned over the years, but after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 dancing was no longer allowed due to its frequent mixing of the sexes.

End of ballet era in Iran

1979

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was the end of a successful era for dancing and the art of ballet in Iran.

Image source: Iranian dance

End of ballet era in Iran

Modern and Contemporary Dance

Hip-hop dance origins

1967

Hip-hop dance started when Clive Campbell, aka Kool DJ Herc and the father of hip-hop, came to New York from Jamaica in 1967.

Image source: Hip hop dance

Hip-hop dance origins

Robot dance performed on TV

1973

In 1973, famous group Jackson 5 performed on television a dance called Robot (choreographed by postmodern artist Michael Jackson), a dance form cultivated in Richmond, CA.

Image source: Robot (dance)

Robot dance performed on TV

Emergence of 20th-century modern dance

Ongoing

For the emergence of 20th-century modern dance see also: Mary Wigman, Gret Palucca, Harald Kreutzberg, Yvonne Georgi, and Isadora Duncan.

Image source: Modern dance

Emergence of 20th-century modern dance

Origins and Traditional Dances

Tribes passing on dance traditions

Ongoing

Many tribes have a role solely for the purpose of passing on the tribe's dance traditions; dances which have been passed down through the centuries, often unchanged, with little to no room for improvisation.

Key Facts

  1. Dance has been part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of dance movements found in ancient cave paintings.
  2. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks valued dance as a form of expression and entertainment, depicting it in their artwork and incorporating it into religious ceremonies.
  3. The Renaissance period saw the emergence of ballet as a formal dance style, with the establishment of ballet academies and the development of technique and choreography.
  4. In the 20th century, dance styles such as modern dance, jazz, and hip hop emerged, reflecting social and cultural changes.
  5. Contemporary dance is a highly varied and experimental form of dance that incorporates elements from various styles and techniques.

Source

This History of Dance timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free