Cha Cha is an exciting syncopated dance that emphasizes Cuban Motion and has a playful attitude. Much of today’s popular music is infused with Cha Cha rhythm. It’s a great dance to have in your repertoire.
East Coast Swing or “Triple Time Swing” evolved from the Lindy Hop and is the base for all other swing dances. It is a circular dance that doesn’t require much space and works with a wide variety of music, including top 40, big band, and 50’s rock and roll. If you only learn one dance, this is the one to learn. It’s danced with a gentle bounce that is very grounded and smooth. Partners keep their weight pitched forward and rock away from each other on the “rock steps.” It is often confused with it’s European version, Jive, which is very bouncy with lots of sharp kicks and flicks and is danced to a faster tempo music. In American style, when the music is too fast to take triple steps, we dance Single Time Swing.
The Foxtrot was born in 1913 when vaudevillian performer Harry Fox “trotted” across a New York stage. Fox Trot remains the most popular of all the social dances. It is one of the easiest ballroom dances to learn and the most commonly played by orchestras. It is a smooth “strolling” dance. Fox Trot is the foundation for many other dances. Of all the social dances, Fox Trot would be the most important and versatile one to know. It can be danced to any music except Waltz.
Hustle became popular during the 70′s disco phenomenon. It revived partner dancing among club goers and gave rise to a huge boom in the nightclub industry, not to mention the dance industry. Discotheques sprang up overnight all over North America and dance studios were flooded with eager students. Hustle is a fast, rotating slot dance with lots of spins and flashy moves. It can be danced to almost any upbeat music and is a stand-out on any dance floor.
Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic and dates back to the early 1800′s. Legend has it that a celebration was given to a conquering war hero who returned from battle with a wounded leg. He had a prominent limp which was very noticeable when he danced. Out of respect, all the villagers started dancing with a limp and thus the Merengue was born. It is the easiest Latin dance to learn. It is characterized by its “dragged leg” feel on counts 1 and 5 and it’s quick marching beat. Merengue music is fast and lively, full of energy, easy to identify and follow. The footwork is mostly marching so the leader can focus on his upper body, leading spins and wraps.
Nightclub 2-Step, not to be confused with country two-step, is one of the most practical and versatile social dances ever conceived. It is designed to be used with contemporary soft rock. This type of music is common just about everywhere, nightclubs, radio, etc. The rhythm of the dance is very simple. This romantic dance fills a gap where no other ballroom dance fits. It gives the dancer, whether beginning or advanced, the opportunity to express and create without requiring the use of a rigid technique. The Nightclub 2-Step is attractive, romantic, and is a real asset to learn due to its versatility.
Rumba is known as the “dance of love.” Latin and African rhythms blend to create the romantic feel of this sultry, slow dance. Dancers step with a slightly bent knee which, when straightened causes the hips to sway. This delayed weight change is called Cuban Motion and is the key element in giving Rumba it’s sensual look. Cuban Motion is the styling that makes the Latin dances look and feel Latin. When mastered in the slow Rumba, Cuban Motion can easily be applied to the faster Latin dances.
Salsa means “sauce” in Spanish and denotes a “hot” flavour. Salsa music was developed by Puerto Rican musicians living in New York. The dance is loosely structured after the more stylized Mambo. Salsa is danced differently in every Latin American country. Most have very simple footwork and few patterns, the emphasis is on the “hot” Cuban motion. In Salsa you can break on the 1 or the 2 count. You can dance in closed dance position, open facing position with a double hand hold, single hand hold or you can dance solo style.
Tango is a “Smooth” Ballroom dance even though it originated in Argentina. Argentine Tango is an entirely different dance, not to be confused with Ballroom Tango. Ballroom Tango is danced with knees flexed, heels leading, in graceful stalking movements. The dramatic music compels the dancer to convey a strong, dynamic attitude. That is part of the fun and what makes Tango so alluring. Tango develops assertiveness and confidence in leading which is beneficial to all other dances.
The Country Two-Step is the most popular dance for country-western music. The basic step is easy and the turns are fun.
Viennese Waltz is a fast Waltz which originated in Austria over 400 years ago. Couples whirl around the floor turning left, then right (which prevents them from getting dizzy). Although the music sounds fast and it “looks” difficult to do, with practice dancers can learn to feel relaxed and not rushed as they maneuver easily around the dance floor. It is exhilarating to dance the Viennese Waltz.
The romantic slow Waltz appeared in Europe in the 1700′s as an off-shoot of the faster Viennese Waltz. Composers chose to write music in slower more comfortable tempos. Although the Waltz “seems” slow it is actually very aerobic. The dancer is using a large muscle group; his/her legs taking long strides while “rising and falling.” Waltz requires and develops good balance, control, posture and poise. The very elegant Waltz is the dance of choice for weddings and formal celebrations.
West Coast Swing began in California in the 1940′s. It can be danced to a broad range of music: Rhythm and Blues, Country Western, Funk, Disco, Rock and Pop. West Coast Swing is a slot dance consisting of 6 and 8 count patterns, with the lady brushing past the man as he leads her in a great variety of turns. The leader and the follower each have their own distinct patterns to learn first; then it just gets easier and more fun to add variations. West Coast Swing is an smooth, sophisticated dance with an endless array of combinations and is wide open for creativity.
