Ballet and Dance Companies in Uruguay
Find out everything about dance in Uruguay, from information on some of the best Uruguayan companies to dance auditions in Uruguay.
“See the music, hear the dance.”
George Balanchine
Uruguay & Dance
Uruguay has a long and proud tradition of ballet, dating back to the early 1800s. The country’s first ballet school, the Real Academia de Danzas, was founded in 1814, and ballet quickly became an important part of Uruguay’s cultural life. Today, the Uruguayan National Ballet is one of the most respected ballet companies in the world, and its dancers are highly sought-after by ballet companies around the globe.
Sodre is a small town in Uruguay. It is home to a famous ballet company, Sodre Ballet. The company has been performing since the early 1900s and is known for its unique style of dance.
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Did you know that…?
Uruguay is a country located in the southeastern region of South America. It is bordered by Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with the Río de la Plata (River Plate) to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Uruguay is home to 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area. With an area of 176,215 square kilometers (68,037 square miles), Uruguay is geographically the second-smallest nation in South America, after Suriname.
The earliest traces of human presence in Uruguay date back to the time of the cave paintings in the country’s Chaco region. These paintings date back between 8,000 and 10,000 years. The first nomadic peoples arrived in Uruguay in about 2,000 BC. These peoples were the Charrúa and the Chaná. The first European to explore Uruguay was Juan Díaz de Solís, who sailed up the Río de la Plata in 1516.
The native peoples of Uruguay were almost entirely displaced by the Spanish, who arrived in the early 16th century. Uruguay was colonized by the Spanish from 1516 to 1811. The Portuguese briefly held the Banda Oriental del Uruguay, or present-day Uruguay, from 1580 to 1640. From 1811 to 1828, Uruguay was a division of the Rio Grande do Sul province of Brazil. In 1828, Uruguay became an independent nation state after a four-way struggle between Blancos (Whites), Colorados (Red), Mestizos (Mixed), and Afro-Uruguayans (black).
Uruguay’s dance heritage is a mix of native and European influences. The most popular Uruguay dances are the candombe, milonga, murga, and tango.
The candombe is a Uruguayan dance that was created by African slaves in the 1800s. It is a mix of African and Spanish influences. The dance is performed by a group of people, usually four or five, who use their bodies to create percussion. The group will often sing as well.
The milonga is a Uruguayan dance that is similar to the tango. It is a mix of Argentine and Uruguayan influences. The dance is performed by a couple who will often hold each other close as they move around the dance floor.
The murga is a Uruguayan dance that is similar to the carnival parade in Brazil. It is a mix of African, Spanish, and Portuguese influences. The dance is performed by a group of people, usually six or seven, who dress up in costumes and wear masks. The group will often sing and play instruments as they dance.
The tango is a Uruguayan dance that is similar to the Argentine tango. It is a mix of African, Spanish, and Italian influences. The dance is usually performed by a couple who will often hold each other close as they move around the dance floor.
The Best Dance Institutions in Uruguay
Auditorio Nacional Adela Reta del SODRE
Calle Andes esquina Mercedes, 11100 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay
