Introduction*
What's New*
Etiquette*
Arena and Staff*
Terminology*
Drum and Song*
Dance Styles*
Resource*
Starting Out*
Crafts
Fancy Shawl Dance
Contrary to popular belief, this dance is not a traditional women’s style. It originated up North as a tourist and competition dance in the early 50’s and 60’s, filtering down to the South where it became more popular in the mid 70’s and 80’s. For years women had struggled to find their place in the dance arena fighting conformity among other things . This was a revolutionary breakthrough for the younger women who longed for a more stylistic approach to traditional dance. Unlike the earlier styles of the 1900’s which were more calm and gentle, the Fancy Shawl Dance was a splash of color, fringe and butterfly wings, each step so quick and light that the young woman looks as though she is literally dancing on air.
