Definition of Dances

Argentine Tango: A style of Tango that originated in the streets and salons of Buenos Aires characterized by its intimate hold and complex leg and foot movements. Argentine Tango is danced socially and theatrically, but rarely in competitions.

Bolero: A slow Latin dance which originated as a form of Rumba, and which still shares many of the same figures. Bolero uses less Cuban motion than does Rumba and uses forward and back breaks as part of its basic rather than the Rumba box.

Cha Cha: An upbeat, energetic Latin dance which derived from a slowed-down version of the Mambo in the 1950's. The name comes from the syncopated fourth beat of the bar where two half beat sounds occur that sound similar to the words Cha Cha.

Country Western: Although it is danced competitively, Country Western is a less formalized and less structured dance than some of the Ballroom and Latin dances. Country Western continues to grow in popularity and is largely influenced by American Style dances.

Foxtrot: A dance introduced in 1913 by a vaudeville performer named Harry Fox. It was the first dance to incorporate Slows and Quicks and is characterized by smooth walking movements. There are two main forms of Foxtrot. One is small and designed for small crowded dance floors, and the other is designed to glide and progress on a large dance floor.

Hustle: A dance created in the 1970's that was originally a Line Dance but developed into a partner dance characterized by its three count basic step danced to Disco and House music.

Jitterbug: A bouncy six-beat dance, named by bandleader Cab Calloway; popular in the 1930's and 40's that contained a somewhat frenzied athleticism. Today "Jitterbug" is a general term that includes East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop.

Jive: The International Style version of Swing. The dance came to England via the American soldiers during World War II. The basic action is a rock step followed by two triple steps and is done to very fast music.

Lindy Hop: Named after the first trans-Atlantic flight by Charles Lindbergh and originated in Harlem to Jazz and Rhythm and Blues music during the late 1920's. Considered the "grand-daddy" of all swing dances. Most of the figures are danced to eight beats of music.

Mambo: A Latin dance that originated in Cuba and is danced to moderately fast, highly syncopated music and uses lots of Cuban motion. It breaks on the "2" beat of the music, and the "1" beat is held.

Merengue: A Latin dance that originated in the Dominican Republic characterized by basic chasses and a marching beat. It is fun and very easy to learn.

Nightclub 2-Step: A social dance designed for slow ballad-like songs using a QQS rhythm. A great dance for beginners because it does not require as much technique and is easy to learn.

Paso Doble: One of the five Latin dances of the International Style depicting a bull fight with the leader as the matador and the follower as the cape. The music has a strong marching beat.

Peabody: A dance developed in the United States around 1920, which was created as a fast version of the Foxtrot characterized by rapid progression and frequent use of Right Outside Position and locking actions.

Polka: A fast dance characterized by a hop that is done on the upbeat of the music. It is often danced as a folk dance and many different styles exist throughout the world. It is fun, energetic and playful.

Quickstep: One of the five International Standard dances. It is characterized by walks and chasses and is danced to very fast "Foxtrot-like" music.

Rumba: A Latin dance characterized by Cuban motion done to romantic Latin songs and music. The American Style version of the Rumba uses the box as its basic step, while the International Style version uses forward and back breaks and uses a different musical interpretation and hip action.

Salsa: An exciting partner and club Latin dance that is easy to learn and is close relative to the Mambo. The timing is QQS, which differs from the Mambo breaks on count 2.

Samba: Sometimes referred to as the "Brazilian Waltz" this dance is characterized by "bounce" action, is danced to a tempo of approximately 58 measures per minute and is danced to 2/4 time music.

Slow Foxtrot: The term for International Style Foxtrot rather than social or American Style Foxtrot. Characterized by the basic figures Feather Step and Three Step.

Swing:
(1) Swing Dances - Refers to an entire genre of dances that started in the 1920's with the Lindy Hop and has stayed popular to present time. Other Swing dances include: Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, St. Louis Shag, etc. Danced to Big Band, Jazz and Rhythm and Blues.
(2) Swinging Dances - Refers to the Ballroom dances that uses pendulum swing as part of its main characteristic. The Swinging dances are Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz.
(3) Swinging Action - The action of swinging the hips through space to create flight and sway in the Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz.

Tango: A dance that began in Buenos Aires characterized by stealthy cat-like movements. There are three types of Tango: Argentine, American and International.

Viennese Waltz: Dance which originated in Vienna and is characterized by extremely fast 3/4 Time music consisting of Reverse and Natural Turns that make complete turns over six steps.

Waltz: One of the best known of all the Ballroom dances; A progressive dance using rise and fall and danced to 3/4 Time music. Two styles exist - American, which has a combination of open and closed position figures and International, which stays in closed position throughout.

West Coast Swing: Developed in the 1940's as a slot dance to help control overcrowding and the wild dancing of the Jitterbuggers. Consists of a combination of six and eight count figures; danced to Rhythm and Blues, Big Band and Contemporary music. Encourages individuality and creativity in dancing.

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Definition of Dances