Original Fancy and Contemporary Fancy

[WhoMe]

Many dance categories now have two divisions: a contemporary and original. These include the Jingle dress, men's traditional and grass dance competitions.

It is my opinion "the northern and southern categories of fancy dance are becoming less and less distinguishable as separate dances."

With this in mind....

Should southern fancy dancing revert back to an "original style" and be separated from a modern "contemporary" category?

I have talked to one fancy dancer who would like to see an original southern style category. He suggested the first such contest should take place in Ponca powwow - the powwow with a rich history of men's fancy dancing.

Three dancers that I know of, already do a great interpretation of original fancy dancing (w/1940's-50's fancy dance outfits).



Whatcha' think?

[Wojapi4Me]

I like the split of southern and northern. Granted, there isn't that much of a difference anymore in outfiting and dancing, but that's due to the southern guys changing to be more like us northern guys. Southern Fancy Dancing has lost its way. Northern has always been on the fringe so to speak with brighter, flashier, fuller outfits and more acrobatic dancing and that is seen today in both northern and southern categories. Maybe what needs to occur here is southern fancy dancing needs to be judged for what it is and not what it has become.

If there is another split needed than what we have already, I'd like to see an age split (18-34, 35+over).

[WhoMe]

I Maybe what needs to occur here is southern fancy dancing needs to be judged for what it is and not what it has become.

SingerD,

This is a very valid comment.

A southern fancy dance contest should be judged on southern moves and regalia.

The trouble is, with the frequency of powwows today, finding qualified judges with knowledge of what "true southern style fancy dancing" is not always possible.