Music and dance have the power to move people to their very souls. This is a very easy thing to surmise, especially since music and dance are vehicles of telling stories. They tell the audience who we are as people, from the costumes down to the messaging. It’s a very exciting experience when you get to absorb the cultural heritages of the places you visit, and we’d like to help you learn a little more about music and dance around the world. Below you will find selected music and dance destinations from all over the world, with a few spotlights on interesting examples.
The Music and Dances of the Americas
The Americas are known for perfecting a number of musical genres that have become some of the most popular styles in the world. These range from rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and blues to salsa, bossa nova, samba, and the list goes on and on. Here are 10 examples of fabulous music and dance-themed destinations in the Americas that you’re sure to love. Take note: When exploring the following pages, keep in mind you can choose to tackle these locations on your own, or try using the Activities link where you may find guided tours!
near Palm Desert
San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Caribbean island of Jamaica is known for more than just reggae music. It is also known for a variety of folk music called “mento”, which shares many similarities to the calypso music you can find in Trinidad and Tobago. The singsong lyrics to mento songs are many times humorous in nature, and can be played with accompaniment from a number of musical instruments, such as acoustic guitars, a rhumba box (a finger-piano-like instrument with African origins), and steelpan drums (pictured). Harry Belafonte, of “Day-o” fame, is perhaps the world’s best-known mento singer. You can enjoy mento music in beautiful Montego Bay, among other locales.
The seductive two-person tango dance (pictured) originated in the late 19th century from the Río de la Plata region of Argentina, and was a result of combined European, South American, and African influences. The San Telmo, La Boca, and Boedo neighborhoods of Buenos Aires became very well-known for their tango bars, and the dance soon spread like wildfire across the world. This timeless dance has made couples happy worldwide for over a century, and in 2009 UNESCO named the tango to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Music and Dances of Europe
Much of the foundation of world music and dance as we know it today can be traced directly back to the cultural traditions of Europe. From step dancing in Ireland to operas in Vienna and everywhere in between, Europe is a great place to spend a vacation filled with music and dance. Below you’ll see 10 examples that are perfect destinations for your next Tripmasters getaway. Remember, you can explore many of our suggestions independently, but use the Activities links where you may find expert-led tours which can enrich your understanding and appreciation for these unique places!
UNESCO City of Music
Traditional Irish music and dance have been perfected over hundreds of years. In the U.S., the Irish step dance (pictured), popularized by Riverdance and Michael Flatley, is perhaps the most common example of what we would think of as “Irish folk dance”. You will be able to find Irish step dancing performances and competitions in a number of places across the island, such as in the Irish-speaking Connemara region in County Galway, and also in larger cities like Cork, Killarney, and Dublin. Dublin is the epicenter of Irish music, ranging from selections played by harp to flute, although Ennis and Donegal are also popular cities with wide selections of live music venues.
Nothing speaks to the true essence of the Portuguese character quite like the emotions expressed in fado music (pictured). The plaintive emotions, overwrought with melancholy and drama, are very relatable and tie into the Portuguese notion of “saudade”, or longing. When performed just right, fado elevates music to the purest art form. Lisbon is the birthplace of fado music, where it grew from bars and street corners in the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighborhoods to a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans. Coimbra in central Portugal is also well-known for fado, but in a distinct style sung completely by men. (The most popular fado singers in Lisbon are typically women.)
The Music and Dances of Africa and the Middle East
Africa and the Middle East are perhaps the most exotic parts of the world to American travelers, and one of the best ways to experience the true vibrance of the cultural fabric here is to be treated to music and dance native to these regions. From folk music to pop, and from traditional to modern dance, every inch of Africa and the Middle East offers pleasant cultural exchanges. Here are 10 cultural experiences you must see face-to-face. Pro Tip: Use the Activities link from the following island/region pages to explore what tours may be available in each of these Unique Places.
Cape Town, South Africa
in Kenya
Merzouga, Morocco
in Cairo, Egypt
Southern and eastern Africa are well-known for their elaborate tribal dances. For example, there is the Zulu dance called the indlamu, where two dancers mimic each other’s moves including lifting their feet over the height of their heads (pictured). The mohobelo, also called the “striding dance”, also features leaps and kicks, and is part of the cultural heritage of the Sotho people. The umteyo, where male dancers shake their arms and torsos, is a traditional dance for the Xhosa people. All of these dances are native to South Africa. Finally, we can’t forget the adumu dance, performed by the Maasai people of Kenya, known to Americans as “the jumping dance”.
The culture of the Amazigh people of Morocco (also known as Berbers) is relatively unknown to Americans. They have a long tradition of music and dance, featuring wide-ranging instruments from oboes to bagpipes to hand-drums called bendirs (pictured). Music tends to be set to spoken-word poems, although singing does feature in Berber music frequently. Berber music features prominently in ritual ceremonies such as prayers and weddings. In order to experience Berber culture, you should visit places like Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara Desert, and the formidable Atlas Mountains.
The Music and Dances of Asia and the Pacific
While much of the world was still developing, the various music and dances of Asia were being perfected. With thousands of years of experience and artistry behind them, you will be hard-pressed to find artistic expression more pure and beautiful. From India to Tahiti, here are 10 Asian and Pacific destinations that are renowned for their music and dance performances. Don’t forget, you can always choose to explore these beautiful sights on your own, but the Activities link found on the island/city pages can help you book a guided tour (where available)!
Mumbai, India
Okinawa, Japan
in Tokyo
Auckland, New Zealand
Out of all the cultural traditions listed on this page, the Bharata natyam dance from India (pictured) might have one of the longest histories. It was already a well-established classical dance and art form by the first century CE, a time when the Romans were well on their way toward conquering much of Europe. The three components to a great Bharata natyam performance are: to express feeling and emotion; to become one with the melody; and to feel the rhythm. These performances are Hinduist in nature and feature messages that relate to Hindu sects in Tamil Nadu, where the dance was born and perfected. You can see a performance for yourself in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Bangalore.
Another dance that has made it to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is khon (pictured), which has been performed in Thailand since the 16th century. Considered the most iconic of the dance performances Thailand is known for, khon tells stories from the Thai epic Ramakien, and typically feature a hero and a heroine fighting off various demons and monkey warriors that factor into the drama of the story. The roles of the monkey warriors are very highly-prized, as it used to be that only the children of the King could play such roles. The best khon performances can be found in Bangkok.
For even more travel inspiration, be sure to check out a few more of our interest-driven curations by clicking on the pictures below.
Holidays and Festivals
