Dance and Music

Dance and music, music and dance. One inevitably happens in the presence of the other. Even in dances with no music, the absence of music is felt, and the dancers nonetheless keep a beat or tune in their head or feet. We describe particularly enjoyable music as being "foot-tappingly good," calling out our desire to move to the music.

This exploration of Smithsonian collections highlights some portraits of renowned dancers and dance musicians, sheet music written for dancing, and an event held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in 2005: A National Powwow.