| Contemporary Ballroom Dancing combines many styles
of music and movement from around the globe. The styles can be broken down
into two major categories: Smooth and Rhythm. As a social dancer I prefer
to add a third category called Street Dances, this category contains the dances
that are a part of the Rhythm segment but began as and still are done in clubs and bars as well as ballrooms. That is to say they were
started by people dancing in the streets or in clubs. |
| In short, ballroom dancing is a form of dancing where there
is a leader (traditionally the male) and a follower (traditional the
female). Each partner knows the rules of the game so that they can
create the art of dance together. That is to say that in social dancing,
common patterns and techniques are known but the order of the patterns is
generally random according to the music and the conditions on the dance
floor. In competition style dancing there are lead and follow categories
and categories where the patterns and styling are choreographed (planned out
ahead of time). |
| Here's a breakdown of the dances into their categories,
the street dances are bolded. |
| Smooth Dances |
Rhythm Dances |
|
Waltz
Fox Trot
Quickstep
American Tango
Viennese Waltz
|
Rumba
Merengue
Mambo/Salsa
Bolero
Samba
Bachata
Cha Cha
Jive/East Coast Swing
Hustle |
| There are a few dances that are not in the ballroom
syllabus but are commonly done throughout the world. These are street
dances as well. |
|
Lindy Hop
West Coast Swing
Balboa
Nightclub Two-step
Argentine Tango
Carolina Shag
Two Step |
| Please explore these dances to see which one resonates
with you. Then feel free to take a free lesson or two. The descriptions
can be found by clicking on each one, let's get started and have some fun! |
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