Ethnic/Traditional Dance

The terms Ethnic and Traditional dance are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. It this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. Even if some dances, such as Polka, cross ethnic boundaries (and even cross the boundary between Folk and Ballroom dance!), ethnical differences are often considerable enough to speak of, e.g., "Czech Polka" vs. "German Polka".

On the contrary, not all ethnic dances are folk ones. The simplest example are ritual dances or dances of ritual origin.

Country Dance

Country dance is a loose term for a variety of dance forms. Among these are:

Clogging – Contradance – Cumbia – Galop – Mazurka – Minuet – Polka – Polonaise – Quadrille – Redowa – Schottische – Two step

Country dance overlaps with contemporary folk dance and with contemporary ballroom dance. Most country dances and ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with gradual refinement over the years.

Some specific forms of country dance, such as English Country Dance refer to specific folk dances. The term "country dance" first appeared in the 16th century, before any of the above-mentioned dances paragraph came into existence.

The meanings of country music and country dance were once more intertwined than they are today. Contemporary country music has roots in the various forms of dance music that traditionally accompanied country dance, but is now mostly a separate concept.

Street Dance

Modern Street dances such as Hip hop are not generally considered folk dances because they do not meet the above criteria. In particular, street dances are living and evolving dance forms, while folk dances are in signicant degree are bound by tradition.

Street dance differs from Ballroom dance by its reglamented technique and formalized dance schools and studios.

Circle Dance

Circle dance, (also known as Sacred Dance or Sacred Circle Dance), is the most common name for a style of dance usually done in a circle without partners to musical accompaniment. It became popular in the alternative, feminist and new age aspects of western culture in the 1980s and 1990s and continues today.

The circle is probably the oldest known dance formation. It is found in the dances of many cultures, such as African, Eastern European, Irish Celtic, South American and North American Indian. Circle Dance mixes traditional folk dances, mainly from European or Near-Eastern sources, with recently choreographed ones to a variety of music ancient and modern.

Dances can be slow and meditative, or lively and energetic. Some have a symbolism or spiritual content derived from various traditions, some are just fun to dance. A small altar of flowers or other objects is usually placed at the centre of the circle.

Circle dancing originated in the Findhorn Foundation community in Scotland following visits there from 1976 onwards by Professor Bernhard Wosien, a German dancer. Known first as Sacred Dance, it has changed over time as enthusiasts have made contributions, and may now be called Circle Dance, Sacred Dance, or Sacred Circle Dance (SCD).