Group 2- Latin Dance and Standard Dance

Origins of Latin Dance

Latin dance has a rich cultural history rooted in the traditional dances of native peoples of
Latin America. These dances were heavily influenced by European colonists and African
slaves during and after European colonization of Latin America. The dances we know today
traveled to Europe and the U.S. where they were popularized by musicians and dance
companies. Because of this rich and varied history, many Latin dances have several
different forms.

Latin dances most often learned and performed. Whether watching a dance show
on television or attending a social dance workshop, you're bound to run into
some of these Latin styles:

1) Salsa

 originated in the Caribbean

 Salsa is one of the most entertaining and practiced social dances in the world
today.
 There are multiple subcategories within the genre of salsa.

2) Merengue

 originated in the Dominican Republic.

 Although the music is fast paced, the basic steps are fairly easy to master.

3) Bachata

 originated in the Dominican Republic

 Known for being a slower more sensual dance with heavy emphasis on body
isolation and strong hip movements.

4) Cha-Cha-Cha

 originated in Cuba and is similar to the mambo.

 Its name is derived from the sound the dancers' shoes make while dancing to
this style of music. In the U.S., the dance is simply known as the cha.
5) Rumba

 The rumba is interesting in that it has changed over the years, and there are
varying distinctive styles of the dance.
 The origins of rumba are rooted in Cuban son music, which has a blend of
Spanish and African influences.
 However, the rumba is danced to various styles that are typically slower in pace
and deep in emotion.

6) Samba

 This dance is of Afro-Brazilian origin and is very popular in Brazil.

 The samba is known for requiring quick feet and high energy.
 It can be danced as an individual or as a couple.

7) Paso Doble

 Paso doble is known as the dance of the bullfight.

 This is a strong dance that originated in France but was adopted and molded by
the Spanish and Portuguese.
 It isn't commonly danced in social settings but rather reserved for competition.

8) Jive

 originated in the U.S. and was made popular by the African American
community.
 It is performed with high energy similar to swing dance.

9) Mambo

 originated in Cuba during the 1940s.

 Mambo is less structured than other disciplines in the genre and heavily
emphasizes feeling the music.
10) Argentine Tango

 birthed in Argentina and Uruguay, and although it originated in those countries,

its influences span the globe.
 It's a dance of emotion and depth and relies deeply on improvisation.

Standard

DANCE Standard dancing is another term for some of the same ballroom, or
partner, dancing. Dances that fall into the “standard” category are the waltz, the tango,
the foxtrot, the Viennese waltz and the quickstep. When these dances are done for a
competition, they become known as International Standard.

International Standard dances:

Waltz:
The waltz (from German: "Walzer") is a smooth, progressive ballroom and folk dance, normally in
about this sound triple time, performed primarily in closed position..

Tango:
Tango is a Ballroom Dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing
European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the
dance.

Viennese Waltz:
The Viennese Waltz is a genre of Ballroom Dance. It is actually the original form of the Waltz. It's
the oldest of all Ballroom dances, emerging in the second half of the 18th century influenced by
German and Austrian dance styles.
This dance style differs from the Waltz mainly in its speed. The Viennese Waltz has about 180 beats
to the minute whereas the Waltz has only about 90.

Foxtrot:
The Foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements
across the dance floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music. The dance is similar in its look
to Waltz, although the rhythm is in a 4/4 time signature instead of 3/4. Developed in the 1910's, the
Foxtrot reached its height of popularity in the 1930's, and remains practiced today.

Quickstep
The Quickstep is one of the five International Style StandardBallroom Dances. The movement of the
dance is fast and powerfully flowing, sprinkled with syncopation. The upbeat melodies
that Quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events