Cyril Mae Villavelez TTH (10:30-11:30)

BSTM 2 A1 October 17,2023

Kinds of Ballroom Dances

Across all nations and eras, ballroom dance has enthralled audiences. It is a
classic art form that allows people to express themselves via different dance
moves while also showcasing grace and beauty.

WALTZ

• History

The beautiful ballroom dance known as the waltz was created in Austria in the
late 18th century and gained popularity across Europe and the rest of the globe
quite fast. It is regarded as the first of all ballroom dances and plays a significant
role in partner dancing's history. The Austrian Emperor Joseph II, who was
renowned for being a reformer and someone who questioned social norms, is
credited for introducing the Waltz into the world. At this period, colorful and
vivacious dances like the Menuet and the Contradance dominated the dance scene
at aristocratic balls. But Joseph II permitted the performance at his court of a
novel couple's dance that ultimately became known as the Waltzer or the Waltz.

• Steps

The Waltz typically consists of six basic moves: the box step, the natural turn,
the reverse turn, the whisk, the spin turn, and the contra check. These steps form
the foundation of the Waltz and can be combined and sequenced in various ways
to create beautiful and intricate dance routines.

FOXTROT

• History

The foxtrot is a time-honored ballroom dance that is both traditional and

graceful. It began in the early 20th century and over time changed into its current
shape, winning the hearts of dancers and viewers all around the world. The goal
of this essay is to examine the origins of the Foxtrot dance as well as the steps
necessary to perform it. Harry Fox, an African-American vaudeville artist, was the
first to introduce the Foxtrot dance in the early 1910s. The dance, which bears his
name, sprang to fame in the ragtime era. The smooth and flowing motions of the
foxtrot are what make it unique and a popular dance among many couples.

• Steps
 The basic steps of the Foxtrot involve traveling around the dance floor in a
rectangular pattern. Danced in 4/4 time, the dance consists of walking steps,
glides, and significant emphasis on the rise and fall motion. These elements
distinguish the Foxtrot from other ballroom dances and add to its grace.

TANGO

• History

The tango ballroom dance has a long history that begins in the thriving districts
of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the late 19th century. The tango swiftly became
well-known and spread over the globe thanks to its distinctive melody, passionate
dances, and cultural significance. Tango's origins may be attributed to a synthesis
of several influences, including African, European, and native components. The
complex fusion of musical and dance genres produced by the diversity of cultures
in Buenos Aires finally gave origin to the tango.

• Steps

The Tango dance is centered around a strong connection between the dancers
and a series of intricate footwork. The first step in learning the Tango involves the
"walking steps." The dancers move forward or backward by taking small,
deliberate steps in an embracing posture. The leader initiates the movement, while
the follower follows the leader's lead with elegance and grace. The walking steps
are essential to establishing the foundation of the dance and creating a seamless
flow between movements. As the dancer’s progress in their Tango journey, they
move on to more advanced steps such as the "cortes" and the "ochos." The
"cortes" are dramatic weight shifts that involve crossing one leg in front of the
other, creating a diagonal line. This step adds intensity and suspense to the dance
routine, as it requires excellent balance and control.

VIENNESE WALTZ

• History

The elegant ballroom dance known as the Viennese Waltz was created in
Vienna, Austria in the late 18th century. The dance has enthralled viewers and
dancers for generations with its graceful and sweeping motions. Austria and its
capital city, Vienna, have a rich cultural past that is entwined with the history of
the Viennese Waltz. The Ländler, a folk dance that was well-liked in rural Austria,
is where the Viennese Waltz got its start. The Ländler was a 3/4-time dance that
featured a hopping motion. Partners would frequently conduct it while tightly
gripping each other and moving in a circle. This dance gradually found its way to
Vienna's ballrooms, where it experienced change and development.
 • Steps

The first step in the Viennese Waltz is the closed position, where the partners
hold each other closely. The man typically places his right arm around the lady's
waist, while the lady rests her left hand on the man's right shoulder. This position
ensures a proper connection between partners and is crucial for maintaining
balance and coordination throughout the dance. The next step involves a series of
natural and reverse turns. Natural turns are executed by stepping forward with
the left foot, followed by a sidestep with the right foot and a closing step with the
left foot. Reverse turns, on the other hand, require stepping backward with the
right foot, then moving the left foot to the side, and finally closing the right foot
to finish the turn. These turns add a level of complexity and fluidity to the dance,
as they involve continuous rotation.

QUICKSTEP

• History

Early in the 20th century, a lively ballroom dance called Quickstep was created.
It is one of the most thrilling and energizing dances to see and perform because
of its dynamic and quick motions. Quickstep has changed and grown in popularity
over time, becoming a mainstay in several ballroom dance contests and social
gatherings. Quickstep dates to the 1920s, during the height of the jazz period,
and will be discussed in this essay along with its important contributions to the
dance world. It developed as a synthesis of other dance forms, such as the
Charleston, foxtrot, and shag.

• Steps

The first step in learning the quickstep is mastering the basic stance and
posture. Stand tall with your head up, shoulders relaxed, and arms extended
slightly forward. Maintain a strong frame with your partner, ensuring a comfortable
and connected hold. This will allow for better communication and synchronization
between partners during the dance. The next step is mastering the basic step
pattern, which consists of a chassé, progressive chassé, and rock step. The chassé
involves taking three quick steps in a sideways direction, usually to the left for the
leader and to the right for the follower. The progressive chassé is similar but
involves a forward movement, with the second step being taken diagonally to the
left or right. The rock step is a simple rock back and forth movement, shifting the
weight from one foot to the other.
CHA-CHA-CHA

• History

The Cha-cha-cha ballroom dance has captivated viewers and dancers alike for
many years. It is a vibrant and dynamic dance. The dance has become a mainstay
at social gatherings and ballroom contests because to its upbeat tempo and
energetic motions. A remarkable narrative of cultural fusion and invention, the
history of the cha-cha-cha dance demonstrates the impact of African rhythms on
Latin America and the dance community. The Cha-cha-cha's beginnings may be
found in Cuba, more especially in the city of Havana, in the late 1940s. Enrique
Jorrin, a well-known violinist and composer from Cuba, composed "La Engaadora,"
a brand-new musical piece that had the peculiar four-beat rhythm that would come
to characterize the dance, around this time. Jorrin was mesmerized by the unusual
sound and changed the Mambo dance to better fit it, giving rise to what would
become known as the Cha-cha-cha.

• Steps

Cha cha music is composed in 4/4 time (four beats to a bar of music). For each
bar of music there are 2 slow and 3 quick steps, which may be counted as – one,
two, cha, cha, cha or step, step, step, quick step, quick step. The footwork is
simple and mostly focuses on just shifting weight from one foot to another.

RUMBA

• History

The rumba ballroom dance's origins may be traced to Cuba in the early 20th
century. Cuba was the recipient of cultural influences from Africa, Spain, and other
Caribbean countries. The rumba originated in African slave colonies in Cuba during
the 19th century, when it immediately became popular and later spread to the
United States and Europe, mesmerizing audiences with its lively rhythms and
vivacious motions. These societies frequently had meetings where they would
dance and sing to express themselves. What would eventually become the rumba
has its roots in the blending of Spanish and African rhythms.

• Steps

The basic step in Rumba is simple yet elegant. To start, the lead initiates by
stepping forward with their left foot while the follower steps back with their right
foot. This step is slow and emphasizes hip movement. The dancers then transfer
their body weight onto their back foot as they bring their other foot to meet it.
This is followed by a quick step onto the ball of the front foot. The basic step is
then repeated in the opposite direction, with the lead stepping back with their
right foot and the follower stepping forward with their left foot.
SALSA

• History

A rich and varied tapestry of influences from all around the world are woven
together to create the history of salsa ballroom dancing. Salsa has origins in a
number of musical and dance genres that originated in the Caribbean and Latin
America. The late 19th-century Cuban dance form known as Son, which combined
Spanish and African music, had a significant influence. What would eventually
come to be known as salsa has its roots in son. Additionally, other Latin American
dances like the Dominican Merengue, Colombian Cumbia, and Puerto Rican Bomba
and Plena all helped to shape salsa as we know it today.

• Steps

The first step in learning salsa ballroom dance is mastering the basic step, also
known as the salsa basic. This step sets the foundation for all other movements
and is used as a starting point for many salsa routines. The basic step consists of
three components: the forward break, the backward break, and the side step. The
lead takes a forward step with the left foot, followed by a backward break with the
right foot. The next step is a side step to the left, followed by a backward break
with the left foot and a side step to the right. This continuous cycle creates a fluid
motion that characterizes salsa ballroom dance.

PASO DOBLE

• History

The Paso Doble was created in Spain in the early 19th century, which is where
its roots may be found. The bullfight, a classic event firmly ingrained in Spanish
society, had a big effect on the dance. Initially, the Paso Doble was only performed
by males since they were responsible for copying the matador, the bullfighter who
wowed the spectators with his rhythmic movements. The dancers tried to capture
the passion and grace of the matador. Strong, quick steps were used in the dance,
along with deft arm and foot motions. The dancers attempted to capture the
stance and agility of the bullfighter, a respected character in Spanish society, by
imitating them. As time went by, the Paso Doble evolved and began to incorporate
female dancers as well. This marked an important shift in the style of the dance,
as the interaction between the male and female partners became central to the
performance. The dance came to symbolize the encounter between the matador
and his cape, representing a dance of power and seduction.

• Steps

The first step in learning Paso Doble is to understand the basic posture and
frame. The dancers stand upright with their shoulders down and back, creating a
strong, confident stance. The man places his right hand firmly on the woman's
lower back, allowing him to lead her throughout the dance. The woman places her
left hand on the man's shoulder, lightly resting her fingers on his upper arm. This
strong connection between the partners is essential for effective communication
during the dance. The next step is the promenade, which is a basic walking step
in the Paso Doble. The partners take small but powerful steps in time with the
music. The man leads by taking a step forward with his left foot while the woman
steps back with her right foot. They continue this sequence, alternating feet, as
they move gracefully across the floor. The promenade is the foundation of the
dance, setting the rhythm and tempo for the more intricate steps to come.

Once the promenade is mastered, the dancers move on to the next step, which
is the cape movement. This step is reminiscent of the matador's cape and requires
precise footwork and coordination. The man takes a quick side step to the left with
his left foot, followed by a cross step behind his left foot with his right foot.
Simultaneously, the woman takes a quick side step to the right with her right foot,
followed by a cross step in front of her right foot with her left foot. This movement
creates a flowing and dramatic effect, imitating the graceful movement of the
cape.

SAMBA

• History

The origins of Samba can be traced back to the African slaves brought to Brazil
during the colonial period. These slaves brought their unique dance and music
traditions with them, which eventually blended with the local Brazilian culture. The
early forms of Samba were deeply rooted in African rhythms, featuring syncopated
beats and energetic footwork. The dance first gained popularity in the early 20th
century in the urban areas of Rio de Janeiro, particularly in the slums known as
favelas. Samba was a way for the communities to express their cultural identity
and find joy amidst challenging living conditions. It served as a form of resistance
against oppression and became an integral part of Brazilian culture.

• Steps

The first step in learning samba is to understand its underlying rhythm and
music. Samba music is characterized by its syncopated beat and strong downbeat.
Familiarizing yourself with the distinct rhythm of samba will help you to develop a
sense of timing and coordination necessary for executing the steps accurately.
Listening to samba music, attending samba performances, and watching videos of
professional samba dancers can provide invaluable insight into the essence of this
dance style. After grasping the rhythm and music, the next step is to learn the
basic samba step, also known as the "samba no pé." This step involves transferring
your weight quickly from one foot to the other while keeping a bent knee and a
slight hip sway.

The samba is performed continuously and forms the foundation for other
samba movements. Practicing this basic step is crucial to familiarize yourself with
the movement patterns and develop the necessary muscle memory. Once you
have become proficient in the samba no pé, you can begin incorporating more
complex footwork and body movements. Samba incorporates a wide range of
steps, including batucadas, voltas, bota fogos, and bota fogos com increase.
Batucadas involve a kicking motion with one leg while maintaining the basic samba
step with the other leg. Voltas are twisting movements executed with a quick
change of direction. Bota fogos refer to traveling steps where the dancer moves
sideways or diagonally, creating a dynamic and lively effect. Adding these steps
to your repertoire will elevate your samba dancing to the next level.

Ballroom dancing encompasses a diverse range of styles, each with its own
unique history and steps. From the graceful waltz to the passionate tango and the
vibrant salsa, exploring these dances allows individuals to appreciate a rich
cultural heritage and experience the joy of dance. So, lace up your dance shoes
and step onto the dance floor, for ballroom dancing is a captivating journey filled
with rhythm, elegance, and self-expression.