International Latin Dance.
Chachacha
From Cuba, the 1950’s chachacha is a fusion of rumba and mambo. The chachacha rhythm is found in both popular music and Latin music. The name comes from the rhythm of the dancer’s feet on the floor. It is a cheeky, playful dance with lots of hip action you are sure to love!
Rumba
From Cuba, the 1930’s rumba is an earthy sensuous dane with lots of hip action. If you are feeling passionate this could be the dance for you.
Samba
From Brazil, the 1920’s samba is the dance of Carnival. Based on Brazilian folk dances of the 1830’s it is full of rhythmn, bounce, spins and hip action as it travels around the floor.If you are ready to party this happy, exciting dance is for you.
Paso Doble
From Spain, the paso doble started as a march introduced during Napoleon’s advance into Spain. The dance floor becomes an arena. The man is the arrogant matador and the woman is the cape that entices the bull. If you enjoy a bit of drama the this intense, passionate dance is for you.
Jive
From the USA, the dance of the GI was taken to the England by American servicemen during the 1940s. The dance has influences of 1920s lindy hop, 1930s jitterbug and boogie-woogie, 1940s swing and 1950s rock ‘n roll. Are you ready for a fast, energetic dance with some bounce, flicks and kicks?
International Ballroom, Standard Ballroom, Modern Ballroom.
There are five ballroom dances which were standardized in England and are now danced throughout the world.
Waltz
Originally an 18th century Austrian folk dance, the waltz was introduced into England in 1816. The slow waltz or English waltz is an offspring of the faster Viennese waltz. The rhythm was gradually slowed down over time. This dance is now popular at weddings and anniversaries. The waltz epitomizes grace and style with beautiful rise and fall and body sway.
Foxtrot
In 1914 vaudeville performer Harry Fox introduced trotting steps to music and people referred to his new dance as Fox’s Trot. Two variations quickly developed a slow foxtrot and a quick foxtrot. In 1924 the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers in England introduced standards for both variations and renamed the fast foxtrot a quickstep.The foxtrot’s elegant gliding movements make the Foxtrot a graceful style to master.
Beginners are introduced to the rhythm foxtrot first.
Quickstep
In 1924 the name quickstep was introduced to describe a fast foxtrot. There are influences of charleston, nimble hops and skips in this lively energetic dance.
Tango
Originally danced in line, Spanish settlers took this dance to Argentina. Danced in the back streets of Buenos Aires, a shocking new dance emerged, full of drama and controlled aggression. Tango beame all the rage in Paris then London in 1912. Sharp moves, passionate head turns and staccato action….soon you will be moving across the floor like a panther stalking it’s prey!
Viennese Waltz
The first waltz, this classic,elegant dance was originally performed by the Viennese aristocracy to the music of Strausse in Austria. The Viennese waltz is a fast rotary dance where dancers are constantly turning. Without learning the tricks of the trade this whirling, twirling dance could make you giddy!
Latin Club Dance
Merengue
From the Dominican Republic, the simplicity and fun of the merengue makes it a perfect beginner party dance. The merengue is a great dance for leaders to perfect their skills and with it’s fast tempo and with lots of hip action it’s great exercise.
Salsa and Mambo
From Cuba, salsa is fueled by African drum rhythms, Spanish guitar music and dance innovations from Cuba, Puerto Rico, New York, LA, Miami and even London. Are you ready for this fun, flirtatious social dance?
Bachata
From the Dominican Republic, the bachata has beautiful sensuous hip action and body movements. The simplicity and fun of the bachata makes it a perfect beginner party dance just for you.
Sequence Dance
Sequence dance is a style of Ballroom dance where the dances are performed in a sequence. Everyone dances the same steps at the same time, usually to 16 or 32 bars of music. It is the most popular form of social dance in the world today.
There are three categories of sequence dance. Each has it’s own style, charm and tradition.
Classical Sequence Dance
The IDTA established the Classical Sequence branch in 1947. It’s aim was to encourage dances which were popular prior to WW1 and danced as long ago as the 17th century. This branch includes old time waltzes, gavottes, mazurkas, two steps, saunters, polkas, veleta, tangos…and many more elegant dances. Think of the grand balls in period dramas such as Jane Austin and Bridgerton. The dances may be enjoyed to period appropriate music or to current popular music. Children love the grace and style of the classical dances. This style od dance is perfect to add grace to the Quinceanera and her court waltz.
Old Time Party Dances
Latin Sequence Dance
Core rhythms are chachacha, samba, rumba, paso doble, jive, salsa, mambo and merengue.
Modern Sequence Dance
Core rhythms are waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep and Viennese waltz.
Ballroom & Latin Formation
Formation dance is a team sport where multiple couples perform synchronized choreography, moving together making shapes and patterns across the floor. Routines contain a medley of dances. Standard formation includes waltz, tango, quickstep, foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Latin formation features chachacha, rumba, samba, jive and paso doble. Teams build complex patterns like lines, diamonds, circles and squares. They also perform synchronized tricks, chain reactions and transitions.
Country and Western Line Dance
Originally from the USA, Line dances currently taught are mainly in the Country and Western tradition. Everyone dances the same steps at the same time.New dances are continually added through out the year to reflect current trends. Line dance is great fun…great exercise…and you don’t need a partner!