Ballroom Dance : Different dances offered
 
 
 
The Dances We Teach Latin Dances   Salsa Salsa is the Spanish word for "sauce" denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style. The term Salsa may have been coined by radio djs in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960's. Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse that has become popular everywhere, and there are several national variations of Salsa. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and Cha-Cha. Cha Cha The Cha-Cha adds fun to your dancing through its syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able to feel the pulsating Latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating. The energetic rhythm of the Cha-Cha encourages you to cut loose and let your personality show. Merengue Merengue develops Cuban Motion and is the simplest dance to learn. Its uncomplicated timing makes it easy to feel the music and adapt to any partner on the dancefloor. It is the only Latin dance that combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all Latin dances. The march type beat sharpens timing & coordination and the proper use of the accent will develop a clearer interpretation of musical rhythm. Rumba Rumba is often called "the dance of love" and may have originated as a Cuban wedding dance. Learning the Rumba lays an essential foundation for good Latin dancing. The Rumba is used by dancers everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise footwork gives you added confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control. Samba The Carnival dance of Brazil, Samba improves the flexibility of the body and helps achieve easy movement and lightness. The Samba’s rolling action teaches the body to be supple. To move lightly, quickly, and smoothly without effort takes study, but only at the start. Although considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and in a relaxed manner, giving the appearance of effortless movement. Sometimes called the South American Waltz, the Samba pulsates to a unique Latin rhythm. Mambo Mambo is a fusion of Cuban and American dancing. The music is characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban beat. Mambo is an exciting dance which allows you to develop your own feeling and expression. Because Mambo is such a fun dance, good Mambo dancers are always popular and in demand as partners. The wild exciting music, and rhythmical body movements make the earthy Mambo irresistible. Bolero Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba into 2/4 time and then eventually into 4/4 time. It resembles a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. This dance is often said to have the rise and fall of Waltz, the contra-body motion of Tango, and the rhythm of Rumba. It is a favorite of dancers, as it incorporates many techniques similar to other dances to create a slow, sensual, romantic dance. Swing Dances   East Coast Swing The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance easily mastered by most people. It's a very versatile dance and can be done to a variety of music from Big Band Swing to Rock to Blues. The various speeds are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading & following which will add comfort and ease in other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns, men and women will find Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice. Perhaps the most uniquely American of all dances, Swing brings forth a buoyant carefree movement. It's truly a dance that becomes contagious. Jitterbug Jitterbug is also known as single-time swing. It is usually done to faster Swing music and is a highly energetic and expressive dance. It is also a spot dance and highly useful on crowed dance floors. Hustle Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like wildfire, and although the white suits and gold chains are gone, the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco. Hustle is still one of the most popular nightclub dances across the country today. West Coast Swing WCS is a stylized Swing dance popular west of the Mississippi from Kansas to California. Danced to slow or medium tempo Swing or Blues/Jazz music and characterized by slot movements, taps and shuffles, coaster steps, and push and pull action of the dancers. Jive Jive is an international competitive Swing dance with elements of the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug. It is characterized by up-tempo single-time music danced with triple steps done primarily on the toes with very lively movement. Lindy Hop Popular musical groups of today have revived interest in the musical styles from the original Lindy Hop Era and have fired the imagination and enthusiasm of a whole new generation of Lindy Hop dancers. However, the acrobatic style used for exhibitions is not the same as the quietly rhythmic Lindy enjoyed by most dancers on the ballroom floor. Smooth and Standard Dances   Fox Trot Fox Trot is a basic dance from which you can acquire a foundation. Learning to combine dance steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides a good foundation for all dances and is often called the "get-acquainted" or "first impression" dance. Waltz Waltz develops balance and control. The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with ease. Tango The Tango is one of the most beautiful of all the dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements. In order to achieve the distinctive style of Tango, it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing, which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is essential towards becoming a good dancer. Argentine Tango Argentine Tango originated in Argentina and Uruguay where it was danced only by the lowest classes. In the US, it is commonly confused with Ballroom Tango, though this is a later derivation and a very different dance. The Tango caused a sensation and was soon to be seen the world over in a more subdued version. Viennese Waltz With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have today's Viennese Waltz. Quickstep Quickstep is the English version of the Fast Fox Trot, which has quick hopping steps set in with the smoother gliding figures. It is very popular as a competition dance, but is rarely done socially in the United States.

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