Waltz

Its perhaps the oldest and the most loved ballroom dances. The waltz is unique as it is the only dance written in 3/4 time. there are three beats to each measure, counted as 1-2-3. Graceful turning moves are very charateristics of the Waltz

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Foxtrot

The Foxtrot is credited to Harry Fox dating back in 1914 when he started doing trotting steps, since then its has evolved into the more smooth and elegant dances that we see today, Its is danced to jazz type of music or for slow swing type of music. Basic Social Foxtrot is more fun and simple to learn. The Foxtrot was the most significant development in all of ballroom dancing. The combination of quick and slow steps permits more flexibility and gives much greater dancing pleasure than the one-step and two-step which it has replaced. There is more variety in the fox-trot than in any other dance, and in some ways it is the hardest dance to learn!

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American Tango

American Tango is evolved out of the Argentine Tango, its the simplest and slowest of All Tangos, there is no rise & fall action in Tango, its supposedly called a walking dance. The Tango evokes strong images of passionate couples in steamy bars and on the streets of Buenos Aires. During the 1890s, it became popular in Argentina. Early tango was known as tango criollo, or simply tango. Today, there are many tango dance styles, including Argentine tango (popular), Uruguayan tango, Ballroom tango (American and International styles), Finnish tango, and vintage tangos. It has also been suggested that tango makes people feel more relaxed, sexier, and less depressed, and to increase testosterone levels

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Viennese Waltz

The main difference between the Viennese Waltz and the Conventional Waltz is that the former is danced nearly double the speed of the latter. The other dissimilarity is that there is no rise and fall in the Viennese, whose dancers almost glide on the floor. A further interesting feature of the Viennese is that the lady always performs the exactly the same steps as the man, but at different times.

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Quickstep

The Quickstep developed in the post World War I era, from Harry Fox’s Foxtrot. The Quickstep, which is also closely linked to the Charleston, achieved mass popularity in the 1920s. The Quickstep is ideally suited to the fast pace of these numbers, it offers today’s dancers an energetic and exhilarating workout that is as pleasing to the feet as it is beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

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Cha Cha

Originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha. Became popular about 1954. Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Eventually it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha. The dance consists of three quick steps (triple step or cha cha cha) and two slower steps on the one beat and two beat. The dance is performed mostly in an open hold and on the spot, moving only slightly. The Cha Cha is a fun, party-time dance, particularly when danced to the rhythm of authentic Cuban music

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Rumba

The word Rumba is a generic term, covering a variety of names (i.e., Son, Danzon, Guagira, Guaracha, Naningo), for a type of West Indian music or dancing. The word "rumba" comes from the verb "rumbear" which means going to parties, dancing, and having a good time. There are two sources of the dances: one Spanish and the other African. Although the main growth was in Cuba, there were similar dance developments which took place in other Caribbean islands and in Latin America generally. The "rumba influence" came in the 16th century with the black slaves imported from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced extremely fast with exaggerated hip movements and with a sensually aggressive attitude on the part of the man and a defensive attitude on the part of the woman. The steps for the Rumba present quite a challenge for the novice, but once mastered, this romantic and sultry dance is entrancing to watch and perform. The Rumba is among the slowest and most seductive and sensual of Latin dances. The sensuality is achieved by maintaining close contact with the floor through the feet.

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Samba

The samba is a rhythmic, rolling dance that Brazilians have made popular around the world. The dance's origins began with African slaves, and it was later combined with Brazilian Indian and European influences. The modern version arose in the beginning of the 20th century and has evolved since then into several branches. It was and is danced as a festival dance during the street festivals and celebrations of Brazil. The festive style and mood of the dance has kept it alive and popular to this day. Before Samba became a ballroom dance style, there were many styles of partner dances as well as solo Samba dances. As with the solo Samba, partner ballroom Samba has a quick beat that requires fast footwork. Over the years, the Samba has incorporated elaborate tricks, turns, and acrobatic feats into its basic set of figures.

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Ballroom Jive

In 1960 a new category of competition dances was put together called "Latin & American", combining four Latin dances with one American - the "Ballroom Jive". The usual abbreviation to "Latin American" should not be assumed to imply that Jive originated in Latin America This competitive ballroom version of Jive is based on a six-beat pattern of two fast syncopated chassés (side, close, side) followed by a slower break back and replace forward; it prohibits any kind of air step and is usually danced in an enhanced bouncy style, very upright and with lots of kicks. In competition it is danced at a fixed speed of 176 beats per minute (bpm), and will be most familiar to non-dancers as the type of Jive they see on Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing With The Stars! The Ballroom Jive is a very fast, energy-consuming dance. In competition, after having performed the Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Cha Cha, the dancers have their stamina tested by performing The Jive

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Paso Doble

Paso Doble is Spanish for ‘two step’ and the steps in question are the male dancer’s bold, march-like movements, modeled on the proud, strutting of a matador striding into a bullring. The lady’s role is subsidiary, though colourfull and exciting one :she poses as his cape. Despite its Hispanic flavor, and the Flamenco nfluences that some performers bring to it, the dance actually evolved in France, in the years between the two world wars. Its inherent drama and passion, and the opportunities it provides for posing and display, have made it a particular favourite in Latin dance competitions. It is, however rather less common in purely social circles.

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