Ballroom dancing developed in England.

However, the first authoritative knowledge of the earliest

ballroom dances was recorded in the 16th century in France. The term ‘ballroom dancing’ is derived
from the word ball. Ball originated from the Latin word ‘ballade’, which means to dance. It makes
perfect sense, a ball-room is a large room specially designed for dancing. Ballroom dancing traces back
to the early 20th century. English establishments developed the art of ballroom dancing.
Historically, ballroom dancing refers to any kind of formal social dancing done for recreation.

Ballroom dancing started out as social dancing for the upper class. Folk dancing was for the lower
classes. In past centuries, ballroom

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dances were specific to their own regions and were done to mark celebration or social class rather than
to compete. The boundaries did change through the years because many of the ballroom dances were
actually folk dances. And depending on the era, there were popular dances of the day such as the
Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Polka, Mazurka, and others.

The famous ‘close hold’ done in ballroom dances came from the courts of Western Europe in the 1500s.
At that time, men carried swords on their left side. As a result of this, ladies danced on the right of the
man. When it came to turning, the men traditionally took the inside of the circle, to avoid hitting the
surrounding audience with their sword. Also, ladies could not promenade backwards as the length of
their skirts would become caught beneath their feet. As a result, couples promenaded counter-
clockwise.   This is why modern ballroom dances move counter-clockwise around the floor.

Ballroom Dancing History - From Renaissance to Modern Socal Dancing

Dance is one of the oldest human activities that has managed to follow us through our development as a
species, our spreading across continents and rise of modern cultures and civilizations. The oldest
archeological evidences of dance can be traced to some 9 thousand years ago, and ever since then its
presence in historical records grew and took greater significance as they became part of our daily lives,
customs and various religious ceremonies. As the music and dance became more complex and
advanced, it started to separate in two distinct forms -one for general population that was practiced
openly, and other one for aristocracy and royalty that was practiced in closed environments during
special occasions. This separation of dance became especially noticeable in Europe after the end of the
Middle Ages, when Renaissance influences born in Italy and France started drastically changing 16th
century European lifestyle.

Ballroom dancing was a product of that time, and it signified the tradition of social dancing of the
privileged. It name was derived from the word ball, which originated from the Latin word “ballare”
which means “to dance”. After a while, boundaries between high classes and lower classes disappeared,
transforming the ballrooms across Europe into places where both folk dances and sophisticated dances
can be performed.

Records of the earliest European ballroom dates form the end of 16th century were made by Jehan
Tabourot who published his French renaissance social dance study called “Orchésographie” in 1588. He
described many popular dances of that time, with instructions for pavane, livelier branle, and galliarde
(which was popularized greatly by Shakespeare’s work on drama stage). Arrival of dance Minuet in 1650
France was a very important point in the early history of ballroom dance. Adopted and danced in public
by King Louis XIV himself, this dance popularized ballroom dance all across France, and continued to be
used in European ballrooms until the end of the 18th century. Several decades after the arrival of
Minuet, King King Louis XIV formed the first academy of dance (Académie Royale de Musique et de
Danse) which was the home of the first organized dance study. Later on, professional dances from that
school would start preforming new type of dance to King’s court (and eventually to the general
ballrooms), dance that will all know today as ballet.

Dance that left the most significant mark on the Victorian era was none other than waltz. Introduced in
early 19th century, this dance managed to spread like a fire across England, fueled by the excellent 1819
instruction book called “Invitation to the Dance” by Carl Maria von Weber. After initial period of
opposition from the general public and aristocracy (they did not like close hold of dance partners), this
dance was adopted by all and became one of the most popular dances of all time. Its popularity also
spawned creation of many other new types of dances, like Polka, Mazurka, and the Schottische (they all
appeared in 1840s).
20th century was truly the birthplace of modern dance, and ballrooms from all around the world were
swept with the never-ending tide of new dances that were created between 1910 and 1930. Those
dances were fast, energetic, they featured independent movement of dancers, and more.

The final stage in the history of ballroom dance can be contributed to the rise of the popular media
personalities, who created new dance routines which were imitated by millions. This era started with
the exploits of Vernon and Irene Castle, Josephine Bradley and Victor Silvester during 1920s, and was
continued with the Hollywood movie pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the
world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on
stage, film, and television.

Ballroom dance may refer, at its widest definition, to almost any recreational dance with a partner.
However, with the emergence of dance competition (now known as Dancesport), two principal schools
have emerged and the term is used more narrowly to refer to the dances recognized by those schools.

Types of Ballroom Dances

Ballroom dancing refers to a form of dance in which couples move in accordance with patterned dancing
steps. It is comprised of two major categories, namely Western and Latin style. The Western style is
perhaps the more traditional form of ballroom dancing. It refers to a flowing form in which the couple is
constantly moving in a circular fashion around the dance floor. The Latin style refers to a more rhythm-
oriented form of dance, in which the couple’s placing is rather fixed and their moves are more energetic
and sharp. Each of these forms is further divided into several sub-categories.
Western style ballroom dancing includes primarily the Waltz, the Foxtrot, the Tango, and the Quickstep:

• The Waltz is arguably the most familiar form of ballroom, originating as a folk dance. It is characterized
by flowing, swaying movements, and a rise and fall pattern. The dancers circle the dance floor in a
counter-clock wise movement.

• The Foxtrot became extremely popular in the 20th century, partially thanks to Fred Astaire and Ginger
Rogers, who incorporated it into their films. In its smooth and round-the-dance-floor movements it is
similar to the Waltz, although it incorporates quicker steps and more flexibility.

• The Quickstep is an even faster version of the Foxtrot. Although it is considered highly energetic and
quite difficult to master, the Foxtrot remains an elegant and flowing form of ballroom dancing.

• The Tango is a passionate, sensual form of ballroom dancing. Some forms of Tango are dramatic,
including sharp body and head movements, whereas others tend to be more subtle. The Tango
originated in South America around the late 19th century.

Latin style ballroom dances include mainly the Swing, the Rumba, the Cha Cha, the Mambo and Salsa:

• Swing is the fastest form of dance within the Latin category. It incorporates many kicks, knee-bending
and lifting, swirls and other fast leg movements. The swing is unique in two respects: firstly, the couple is
not required to hold each other or to be as close to each other as in other dances. Secondly, the
accompanying music can vary in style from rock n’roll to Boogie-woogie, as long as it stays true to its
lively, upbeat rhythm.

• The Cha Cha is a vigorous, flirtatious, energetic dance. It requires free hip motion, and small, quick
steps. Cha Cha is danced to the sounds of happy, lively music — which is usually (but not necessarily)
Cuban.

• The Mambo is a close relative of the Cha Cha, because of its high energy level and fun, lively spirit. It is
characterized by backward and forward steps and distinctive, often sensual hip movements. Mambo
music varies widely in rhythm and instruments, which usually include bells.

• The Rumba is mostly identified by the coy, teasing movements of the female dancer, and the
seductive, advancing motions of the male dancer. It is the slowest form of dance within the Latin style.
Its music originated in Africa, but today it includes country, rock, blues, and other popular music styles.
• Salsa is a late form of Latin dance, primarily influenced by the Cha Cha and the Mambo. While most
forms of Latin style focus on hip movements, the Salsa incorporates more above-the-waist technique.

The many forms of ballroom dancing go beyond the list above. But despite their diverse nature, the
dances are unified by one dominant characteristic – they are all partner dances. None of the forms can
be danced alone or in an unsynchronized manner.

Ballroom Dance Etiquette

November 30, 2013 by Francis Teri ·

Ballroom dance etiquette ten common sense tips.

Carolina and Hugo dancing in Brooklyn at Dance Fever Studios..

1)Dance in the line of dance.  Ballroom dancers move around the floor in a counter-clockwise direction.
You should be moving in this direction most of the time.  This is ballroom dance etiquette 101.

2) When things go wong, apologize.  If you bump into someone, or step on someone’s foot, tell them
you’re sorry.  Don’t just ignore them.

3)Slow dancers should move to the center of the room.  So if you are a beginner to ballroom dance, just
learning new moves, don’t clog up the main lines of dance.  Stay towards the center.

4)Conversation should be off the dance floor.  If you’d like to talk, do it off the dance floor.
5)Cross the dance floor around the perimeter.  Don’t cut through.  I’ve seen people walk across the
middle of the ballroom dance floor holding drinks.  Not good.

6)Clean up your mess.  So, if you are carrying some drinks and you do spill something, clean it up before
some dancer slips and gets hurt.

7)Personal hygiene.  Make sure you don’t have bad body odor or bad breath.  Very important ballroom
dance etiquette.

8)Dance at your partner’s ability.  If you are an experienced ballroom dance leader dancing with a
beginner follower, don’t expect her to do advanced moves.  Build the dance.  Start with easy stuff.  Once
you see that she’s with the timing and following easy patters, try advancing to more difficult ones.  If she
has difficulty doing one turn, don’t lead her in to a double turn.

9)Sneezing and coughing while dancing.  This does happen. Always sneeze or cough into the underside
of your elbow.  Do not sneeze into your hand and then ask her to take that hand for dancing.

10)Don’t chew gum while dancing.  This is annoying to your partner.  He or she doesn’t want to dance
with a cow chewing grass, which is what it feels like.  It also doesn’t look elegant.  Have you ever seen
Fred Astaire chew gum while he dances?