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Ballroom Dancing

    Ballroom Dancing Editor's Picks

    • How to Do Cuban Motion in International Latin Ballroom Dancing

      Most Latin dances utilize what is called "Cuban motion." It is the basic foundation for the characteristic of the dance, as well as the principle method of achieving your transfer of weight from one point to another. Explore the basic concept of Cuban motion and how you can utilize it in your own dancing. more »

    • The History of the Jitterbug Dance

      The jitterbug dance is composed of energetic, acrobatic and improvisational movements performed with a partner, solo or in a line. Under the umbrella of swing dance, its freedom of movement influenced other dance styles, including the shag, jive and push. more »

    • Ballroom Dance Steps

      There are many types of ballroom dance steps that originated from several different regions, including Latin America, Europe and North America. Some of the most popular ballroom dance steps have been featured on television dance shows, adding to their notoriety. more »

    • About The Cha-Cha

      The Cha-Cha, also known as the Cha-Cha-Cha, is a very popular ballroom dance that belongs to the Latin dance style. The name "Cha-Cha" derives from the beat of the rhythm of music that accompanies the dance. more »

    • How to Become a Choreographer

      As can be seen with the latest TV lineup of reality competitions, the general public is increasingly becoming more interested in dance. When the dancers hit the stage, the choreographers are often congratulated for their creativity.The choreographer is the "composer" of the dance, similar to a music composer or a movie scriptwriter.... more »

    Ballroom Dancing Quick Guides

    • About Latin Dancing

      There are few dance styles that encompass as much passion and sensuality as Latin dancing. If...

    • Learning About Dance

      Dance is something that is made up of several styles from countries all over the world. From...

    Ballroom Dancing Articles

    Wikipedia

    Ballroom dance

    Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television.

    Ballroom dance may refer, at its widest, to almost any type of social dancing as recreation. However, with the emergence of dancesport in modern times, the term has become narrower in scope. It usually refers to the International Standard and International Latin style dances (see dance categories below). These styles were developed in England,Franks A.H. 1963. Social dance: a short history. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London. and are now regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC). In the United States, two additional variations are popular: American Smooth and American Rhythm. There are also a number of historical dances, and local or national dances, which may be danced in ballrooms or salons. Sequence dancing, in pairs or other formations, is still a popular style of ballroom dance.Victor Silvester 1980. Old Time and sequence dancing. Barrie and Jenkins, London.

    Definitions and history
    The term "ballroom dancing" is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare which means "to dance". In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower classes. These boundaries have since become blurred, and it should be noted even in times long gone, many ballroom dances were really elevated folk dances. The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era: Balls have featured Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Pas de Gras, Mazurka, and other popular dances of the day, which are now considered to be historical dances.

    Renaissance Period
    The first authoritative knowledge of the earliest ballroom dances were recorded toward the end of the sixteenth century, when Jehan Tabourot, under the pen name "Thoinot-Arbeau", published in 1588 his Orchésographi read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballroom+dance

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