Angela Bianca Q.

Amper

BSA 1-13

BALLROOM DANCING
I. HISTORY

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.

Dance is one of the oldest human activities that have 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.

II. DEFINITION

 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.
III. TYPES

 WESTERN STYLE
- It 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.

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 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.
 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.

 LATIN STYLE
- It 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.

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 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.
 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.
 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.

IV. BALLROOM DANCE ETIQUETTE

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.
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.