Below
is a list of the dances we teach.
BOLERO
A
slow Latin dance which originated as a form of Rumba, and still shares many of
the same figures. Bolero differs from Rumba in its tempo and style of music
and movement.
CHA
CHA
An
exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950's, the Cha Cha is
probably the most popular social Latin dance in America. The infectious,
syncopated rhythm of the "cha-cha-cha" makes the dance a hit with
young and old alike.
FOXTROT
The
Foxtrot is the nation's most popular dance, and a standard ballroom dance the
world over. It is truly American in origin, invented in 1913 by Harry Fox, a
star in the Ziegfield Follies. The Foxtrot is characterized by smooth, gliding
steps that continually progress around the ballroom floor. Foxtrot music can be
smooth or swingy, Big Band style or contemporary. Foxtrot is the classic dance
for wedding receptions and social events, and wedding couples usually choose
either a Foxtrot or a Waltz for their first dance together.
HUSTLE
Hustle
is a fast, smooth, slotted dance noted for its elaborate spins and turns,
especially for the lady. In Hustle, the lady spins almost constantly, while her
partner "catches" her and redirects her movement. It is a
rhythmically challenging dance, with an unusual timing pattern. Hustle is a
club style dance that can be adapted to crowded nightclub dance floors.
MAMBO
The
Mambo was born in Cuba, and is characterized by exciting rhythms, playful
interactions and Latin-style hip motion. A unique feature of the Mambo is that
the dancer holds one beat in every measure. Most of the movements emphasize the
second beat in the measure, suggestive of the Clave rhythm which is fundamental
to Mambo music.
MERENGUE
Merengue
is a simple, fun dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. The Merengue
is characterized by a marching style using a strong eight-count rhythm with a
step on every beat, and lively leg, knee and hip actions. The simple march
tempo is easy to hear and feel, and the music is charming and happy. Merengue
is also a popular dance in today's hot Latin nightclubs.
PASO
DOBLE
Paso
Doble is a dramatic French-Spanish, Flamenco-style march danced in 2/4 time.
The dance of the bull fight, the Paso Doble is an exhibition-style dance where
the man represents the matador and the lady his cape.
QUICKSTEP
The
name Quickstep was adopted for the quick Foxtrot, as the Foxtrot proper got
slower and slower. Quickstep music is up-tempo and lively, and the dance is
characterized by a variety of hops, skips, lock steps and chasse's, requiring
significant skill on the part of the dancer. The Quickstep was also influenced
by the Charleston, and contains some of the Charleston's bounce and fancy foot
patterns.
RUMBA
The
Rumba is a slow and romantic Latin dance inspired by African rhythms and Latin
melodies, and characterized by sensual hip and leg movements. Danced in one
place, the Rumba shows off the couple's skill through flirtatious interplay
between man and lady.
SALSA
The
Salsa is a popular Latin nightclub dance which evolved as a modified form of
Mambo. Salsa works on the basis of Mambo - a pattern of six steps danced over
eight counts of music--and came about when dancers started mixing up Mambo with
Hustle steps. Young people worldwide jam Latin clubs pulsating to today's hot
Salsa rhythms. Salsa dancing is characterized by fancy footwork, intricate arm
styling, and exciting turns and spins.
SAMBA
Samba
is a Latin dance with origins in Brazil, popularized in the movies of Carmen
Miranda. Samba has very distinctive and varied rhythms occurring simultaneously
within the song which add richness as well listening excitement. The
characteristic Samba movement is a bouncing action, achieved by the continuous
flexing and straightening of the knees while the weight is transferred from the
ball to the flat of the foot.
SWING
The
Swing is full of pep and turning actions danced in a carefree, relaxed style.
The dance was born when, in the 1930's, band leaders discovered that by
shifting the accent of the Foxtrot rhythms from counts 1 and 3 to counts 2 and
4, they created a "swinging" rhythm. Before long the dance swept
across the US and became known as the Swing. Swing music is generally up-tempo
and bouncy. In contrast to the Waltz and Foxtrot, Swing is danced in a small
area and does not progress around the dance floor. The international version of
the swing is the Jive, a fast dance executed to triple-time swing.
TANGO
Born
in the West Indies, stylized by the gauchos of Argentina, simmered in the
brothels of Buenos Aires and transported to the elegant salons of Paris, the
Tango is a highly stylized dance characterized by dramatic stalking actions,
staccato head movements, and by its contrast of stillness and speed.
ARGENTINE TANGO
Argentine
Tango is a more intensely intimate form of Tango where the couple dances cheek
to cheek, using intricate, intertwining leg actions and fast foot flicks,
giving the Argentine Tango a very sensual look and feel. Argentine Tango has
become immensely popular in Latin nightclubs.
VIENNESE
WALTZ
Developed
in Southern Germany in the 17th century, the Viennese Waltz blossomed to the
music of Johann Strauss. Viennese Waltz is a fast paced version of the slow
Waltz, characterized by rotational, progressive and dynamic movement
accompanied by leg and body swing.
WALTZ
Waltz
might be the most popular dance of all time, since it is considered the
forerunner of popular social dancing. The Waltz is a very common dance all
around the world. Waltz music is romantic and lilting, distinguished by its
one-two-three tempo (three beats of music per measure). Waltz is characterized
by a rise and fall action, and is very commonly danced at weddings and other
social events.
WEST
COAST SWING
Characterized
by a laid-back and slotted style of movement, West Coast Swing is a smoother
version of Swing. The dance developed when Swing hit the West Coast, and the
steps and actions of the Swing were adapted to fit rhythm-and-blues type music.
