Our instinct tells us to express
rhythm. Just as children bob their heads to music and senior citizens
tap their canes to the beat, dancing comes naturally to both young and
old alike.
Some form of
social dancing has probably existed since the beginning of time, moving
from ritualistic dancing to social interaction for pure enjoyment.
Modern ballroom dancing has withstood the test of time and is now more popular than ever.
Cha-Cha
The
mid-tempo Cha-Cha is a spin-off of the Rumba and the Mambo. With its
two slow steps followed by three quick ones (rock step, cha-cha-cha),
this sensual, energetic dance is extraordinarily popular with old and
young alike.
The tempo is slow and staccato, making it easy for
dancers to inject their own personality into the patterns. The
Cha-Cha-Cha rhythm can still be heard in the music of contemporary
performers like Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Gloria Estefan.
Fox Trot
While
most people think that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers created the Fox
Trot, it was really a vaudeville performer named Harry Fox who
introduced this fun, theatrical dance to the world. Fox Trot dancers
travel around the perimeter of the room in a counterclockwise direction
in a basic rhythm of slow-slow-quick-quick. Still a classic dance for
wedding receptions, the Fox Trot is a true American favorite.
Mambo
A
Cuban bandleader named Perez Prado is credited with starting the Mambo
dance craze in the mid-1950s. Prado took the rhythm of the dances
performed by the sugar-cane cutters and syncopated it. This dance may
be described as a riff or a Rumba with a break or emphasis on 2 and 4
in 4/4 time.The Mambo can be
danced according to the individual dancer's temperament. Conservative
dancers can maintain a closed position, while more daring dancers can
perform breakaway steps and completely separate themselves from each
other.
Merengue
The Merengue, the national dance of the
Dominican Republic, was created in the mid-1950s. With its simple steps
and 1-2 march-like rhythm, it was rumored to be initially performed by
the guests of a crippled general in the Dominican Republic who wanted
to imitate him as he dragged his lame right leg across the floor! The
Merengue is known for its liveliness, with a step on every beat, knee
action, and wiggles from side to side. Since it doesn't move around the
dance floor, it's perfect for small, crowded dance floors.
Rumba
Steamy!
The most famous Latin American dance to gain popularity in North
America and Europe is, without doubt, the rumba. Slow and romantic, the
Rumba is the most sensual of the Latin dances. Motion is produced
through a transfer of body weight and not from direct movement of the
hips. Couples dance very closely, using their body language to express
emotion between them. The Rumba is sometimes referred to as the "Dance
Of Love" because couples stare deeply into each other's eyes while they
dance.
Samba
The spirited Samba always gets feet tapping!
Originally from Brazil, the festive Samba was popularized in the movies
of Carmen Miranda. The Samba is characterized by a steady bounce in 2/4
meter achieved by flexing and straightening the knees while weight is
transferred from the ball to the flat of the foot. This happy and
bouncy dance is always fun!
Swing
The Swing started in the 20s
along with the explosion of jazz music. Many different forms of the
Swing exist, such as the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Jive and the Shag. But
all of them include turns and intricate hand movements. Advanced swing
dances even involve throws and flips! These dances are always very
athletic, fast, and playful!
Tango
The Tango, a sensual,
dramatic dance made famous by Rudolph Valentino, originated in Buenos
Aires and was stylized by the Gauchos in Argentina before making it to
the United States. The Tango is known for flexing steps and posed
pauses. Widely considered to be the "dancer's dance," it has become
even more popular due to its presence in films like "The Scent Of A
Woman" and "Evita."
Waltz
The Waltz, with its ¾ rhythm and
strong accent on the first beat, was born in the suburbs of Vienna.
When the dance was first introduced in the early 19 th century, people
were shocked since it was the first ballroom dance where the man put
his hand on a woman's waist! But through the music of Johann Strauss,
the waltz gained in popularity and quickly became one of the most
popular of all dances. This easy and flowing dance is still commonly
seen at weddings and other social events.
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