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Waltz
This "mother of all dances" originated in Italy in
the 1600's as a round dance called the Volte. It arrived in America
in the early 1800's and was the first social dance in which a
woman was actually held in a man's arms. Learning to Waltz is
elegant. The Waltz develops "graceful movement" and
"poise". Every wedding reception, social "black-tie"
formal and holiday party includes Waltz steps.
Swing
First known as the Lindy (in honor of Charles Lindberg and his
historic hop across the Atlantic), this perennially popular dance
emerged in the late 1920's. It combined steps from the black bottom;
it was also the Bop and Push, the Hustle and Boot Scoot, Shag,
Charleston and Hop. During the war years it re-emerged on the
East Coast as the Jitterbug-jive and on the West Coast as Swing.
You can Rock and Roll with Swing.
Rumba
The Rumba is an ever increasingly popular romantic Latin dance
dating back some 400 years ago, and is better know as the Latin
'get acquainted' dance or the dance with the wiggle. The Rumba
sometimes substitutes for those in-between tempos and features
a subtle or relaxed (lateral) hip motion and Latin styling. Rumba
hip movements are used in most of the popular Latin dances as
well as the free-style of disco and nightclub dancing.
Tango
Rudolph Valentino single-handedly danced this Latin import into
nationwide popularity beginning in 1910. Although widely believed
to have originated in Argentina, it actually may have come from
Spain. It's dramatic, exciting and is known as the "Dancer's
Dance". The Tango with all its staccato movements greatly
improves a man's lead or a woman's ability to follow (respond)
and develops a "strong sense of feeling" for music.
Mambo
Introduced by bandleader Anselmo Sacaras in 1944, the "Mambo"
- a merger of Swing and Rumba - didn't really catch on until the
1950's and it remains very popular today.
Cha-Cha
An offshoot of the Mambo, the Cha Cha (originally the cha-cha-cha)
evolved out of poplar movement in the slow-tempo Mambo called
the Triple Mambo. By 1954 it had evolved into a dance all it's
own. It's a must style to know, the all time favorite Latin dance.
Fox-Trot
Created in 1912 by Harry Fox, the Fox Trot was the first dance
that permitted people to hold each other closer than arm's length.
If you think the term "dirty dancing" was a product
of the 80's, think again. The Fox Trot was at first to be tagged
"indecent behavior". Today it's still the most popular
of all social dances. Some people refer to the Fox Trot as the
"slow Dance" or the "two-step", or a "Conversational
Dance" because of its closeness and conversation ability
at the same time. The Fox Trot is good for developing "smoothness"
and "ease of movement".
Salsa
A peppery version of the Mambo laced with steps from other Latin
dances. The Salsa is performed to a fiery, faster tempo. Some
call it a form of Latinized rock 'n' roll. It's high-energy and
all fun.
Samba
A street festival dance that originated in Brazil, the Samba
was introduced to the United States in the late 1920’s in
a Broadway play called “Street Carnival”.
Merengue
Considered too scandalous when it was introduced to the United
States in 1941, the Merengue went into eclipse until 1957 when
Xavier Cugat resurrected it. Its point of origin is uncertain;
both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim it, and it contains
elements of both cultures. It’s fun and exciting!
Article courtesy of Arthur
Murray Dance Studio's
There are many great reasons to choose Arthur Murray’s
to fulfill your dancing dreams.
Arthur Murray Dance Studio's offer adult tuition in a fun relaxed
atmosphere for anything from simple effective mix and mingle styles,
to the thrill of National or even International competition throughout
the world.
www.arthurmurrayvic.com.au
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