layout image layout image
 
ballroom dancing header image

The Various Types Of Ballroom Dancing

It's amazing how so many people today want to learn ballroom dancing. Time was when it was the older people who danced it and it was also a preserve of the well-off. Who really had the time to learn? But with the breaking down of this class system, ballroom dancing has become accessible to everyone and even better, people seem to be enjoying it. It is no longer something you have to know if you belong to a certain class of society – you now learn it if you want to, because you love it.

 

There are so many different types of ballroom dancing so let us take a look at some of them. Let's start with the old favorite – the waltz. It was a dance form that has its roots in seventeenth century Germany. It is still very much a favorite in many places. Slow, precise and performed with circular and side to side movements, it evokes romance and is a great favorite at weddings and special functions.

It is probably hard to believe but the jive and the swing are also ballroom dances but much more energetic than the waltz or the foxtrot. The swing has a lot of twirling around, with the girl being lifted up and it also involves intricate footwork. It was born in New York at the Savoy Ballroom in the 20s and is still very popular, especially when there is jazz being played. It hasn't changed at all over the years and still has the same steps as when it began.

The jive is very like the swing but is even faster and the arms move even more than the legs and the feet. It was originally a Latin dance but it was in America that it became popular in the rock and roll time of the 50s. The jive needs music that is upbeat and the footwork involves the weight going from one foot to the other.

Then comes the Rumba which is an expression in dance of a woman pursuing the man and it often has movements of the woman around the man. It represents the attraction between the sexes and the steps are small and quick, with the man sometimes pursuing and sometimes the woman. This is one of the sensual ballroom dances and originates from Latin dancing.

The Spanish dance, paso doble is also a favorite today. It is a very sentimental dance and has a lot of meaning behind every move. In this ballroom dance, the woman represents the cape and the man the matador or Spanish bullfighter. Through the dance emerges just how brave and agile the bullfighter is. The steps are swift and forceful.

Then of course, you have the tango, Argentina's cowboy dance. The real reason behind the woman in the dance being held in the crook of the man's arm was because very often, the cowboys came in to the clubs at night straight from riding, without showering and it was easier for the woman in this position. This is a quick dance with a lot of head turning.

 

Ballroom Dancing Recommended Products
Ballroom Dancing Championships News

Kravis Center sets Reach for the Stars benefit dance contest - Palm Beach Daily News


Kravis Center sets Reach for the Stars benefit dance contest
Palm Beach Daily News
In addition, Ohio Star Ball Professional Latin Champions Roman Kutskyy and Anna Kovalova, will perform a ballroom show dance exhibition. ...

Read more...


Damian Whitewood: Meet 'Dancing With the Stars'' newest pro - Zap2it.com (blog)


ABC News

Damian Whitewood: Meet 'Dancing With the Stars'' newest pro
Zap2it.com (blog)
According to ABC.com, Whitewood is from Australia and began dancing at the tender age of 10. He has several ballroom and Latin dancing championships under ...
Dancing with the Stars 2010 Lineup: Pamela Anderson and Damian WhitewoodWorld Correspondents
'Dancing With The Stars' 2010 Lineup RevealedMTV.com
Damian Whitewood On Dancing With The StarsPuggal Latest News and events
Helium -Gather.com -Associated Content
all 1,509 news articles »

Read more...


Ochocinco to 'DWTS' judge: 'I will fight back' - msnbc.com


Ochocinco to 'DWTS' judge: 'I will fight back'
msnbc.com
While Ochocinco is used to wearing spandex on the field, ballroom dancing outfits are far more fanciful. But the wide receiver revealed he's ready to push ...

and more »

Read more...


Contestants get their groove on - Central Florida Future


Contestants get their groove on
Central Florida Future
Monday night in the Pegasus Ballroom. The dance competition, based on the Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance, featured seven student couples ...

Read more...


SHANNON DOHERTY IS A BONAFIDE CONTENDER ON DANCING WITH THE STARS -- WATCH HER ... - Gather.com


Us Magazine

SHANNON DOHERTY IS A BONAFIDE CONTENDER ON DANCING WITH THE STARS -- WATCH HER ...
Gather.com
Along with diva Kate Gosselin, Olympic stars, Ochocinco and a variety of other strange contestants, Doherty is trying to learn a variety of ballroom dances ...
'Dancing With the Stars' Costumer on Kate Gosselin, Pamela Anderson and 'The ...StyleList (blog)
Kate Keeps Jon Away from 'DWTS'PopEater

all 148 news articles »

Read more...


Still perfect partners - Oldham Advertiser


Still perfect partners
Oldham Advertiser
For 12 years they danced in major venues including the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool and Royal Albert Hall in London. They eventually retired from dancing ...

Read more...


 
layout image layout image