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below are some of those enduring dances that help make
social dancing forever popular. See below to learn exciting
facts and view video of these exciting dance styles! |
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Cha-Cha
An offshoot of the Mambo, the Cha Cha (originally the
cha-cha-cha) evolved out of popular movement in slow-tempo
Mambo called the Triple Mambo. By 1954 it had evolved
into a dance all its own. It's a must style to know,
the all time favorite latin dance. |
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Disco/ The Hustle
A kind of dancing more than a specific dance, Disco has
strong roots in Swing, Samba, Cha Cha, Mambo, Merengue,
Fox Trot and Tango. The most popular version, the Hustle
(of "Saturday Night Fever" fame), is believed
to have originated in New York in 1970. This free form
style is still one of the most popular at all night clubs
and socials.
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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 80s, 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 it's closeness and conversation
ability at the same time. The Fox Trot is good for developing
"smoothness" and "ease of movement". |
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Mambo
Introduced by band leader Anselmo Sacaras in 1944, the
Mambo - a merger of Swing and Rumba - didn't really catch
on until the 1950s and it remains very popular today. |
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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. |
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Rumba
The Rumba is an ever increasingly popular romantic Latin
dance dating back some 400 years ago, and is better known
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 night club dancing. |
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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
and Roll. It's high-energy and all fun. |
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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." |
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Swing
First known as the Lindy (in honor of Charles Lindberg
and his historic hop across the Atlantic), this perennially
popular dance emerged the late 1920's. lt 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 east as Swing.
You can Rock & Roll with Swing. |
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Tango
Rudolph Valentino single-handedly danced this Latin import
into nationwide popularity beginning in 1910. Although
widely believed to have originated inArgentina, it actually
may have come from Spain. It's dramatic, exciting and
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. |
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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
America in the early 1800's and was the first social
dance in which a woman vvas 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. |
