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The Cha Cha Cha is a fairly recent dance that is a combination of the Rumba and the Mambo. It gained rapid popularity because of its simplicity. As a competition dance it appeared later than other Latin-American dances. Since its introduction it has been subjected to various modifications enabling dancers to perform it in several ways. It can be danced in pairs or at a distance.

1 files, last one added on Sep 25, 2009

The Jive was brought to England from the United States during the Second World War. It significantly changed the image of dancing, making it more exciting and carefree. The dance was considered obscene and consequently banned in ballrooms. As a competition dance it went through several stages and acquired different names such as the Lindy, West Coast Swing, American Swing and Rock and Roll. The most distinctive feature of the dance is that the man leads the lady in dancing the turning and spinning figures. Rock and Roll bares some resemblance to the Jive but it is less energetic. The dance does not require much space and can be danced in small, crowded rooms.

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The Rumba requires a good sense of rhythm and also persistence to master the technical niceties which tend to be skipped by less skilled dancers. These niceties come as a result of good balance and coordinated movement of the ankles, knees and hips. Continual training will enable dancers to perform the Rumba in unison.

1 files, last one added on Sep 25, 2009

Samba - this dance is of Brazilian origin. It enjoyed popularity in its simplified variant - two even lobes - but skilled dancers prefer its typical rhythm - uneven and interrupted.

1 files, last one added on Sep 25, 2009

This dance is a stylisation of the main movements performed by a toreador in the bull-fighting arena. Every move has a name: veronica, cloak, ronda, cross turn. The character of the Paso Doble requires brisk but clear movements and slowness and lifelessness do not bring out the essence of the dance.

1 files, last one added on Sep 25, 2009

The waltz can be traced back to the 1770's. It originated from the dances of several different peoples in Europe but its main predecessors were the "Matenick" and a variation called the "Furiant" that were performed during rural festivals in the Czech Republic. The French dance, the "Walt", and the Austrian "Lindler" are the most similar to the waltz among its predecessors. The waltz became popular at the beginning of the 19th century in Vienna, from where it spread all over the world. The king of dances acquired different national traits in different countries. Thus there appeared the English Waltz, the Hungarian Waltz, and the Waltz-Mazurka. The waltz cannot be rivalled in its long-lasting popularity. During the 1920's the musical form of the waltz was further developed and new dances appeared: the Boston Waltz and the Slow Waltz. These dances were the forerunners of the modern waltz that is now performed in dance competitions.

1 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2009

The choreographic sources of the Tango are Argentine and Spanish folk dances. In the 19th century, the Tango became wide-spread in South America, and it first appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. The well-known French choreographer and composer Camil de Rinal revamped the dance making it more simple and thereby created the Tango as we know it today. It was not a popular dance around the world, however, since the Pope banned it as an obscene dance. After its initial success in Paris in 1909, the Tango impetuously spread all over Europe and enjoyed immense popularity in the period between 1910-1915. It went out of fashion in the 1930's-60's but is currently enjoying a revival. Boldness and resolution, sudden pauses and unexpected poses, and changes of directions are

1 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2009

The "Flecker" is one of the moves of the Viennese waltz that is performed at dancing competitions. It is a very ancient move that originated from the primitive folk dances of Austria and Germany. For several centuries pairs have danced, spinning round on the same spot while holding each other very closely. At the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries these dances shifted to towns and cities. Instead of being performed in country yards and taverns they were now danced in the great dancing halls of Vienna. Hopping and stamping was transformed into smooth gliding over spacious and polished floors. The tempo of the music was increased to 60-70 beats per minute (nowadays 60 beats per minute is usual). The music of the Viennese Waltz is elegant and full of passion. The dance is beautiful and it is a real pleasure to watch the dancing pairs. The creators of these fascinating melodies were Strauss, father and son, Legar, Waldteifel and other great composers including: Schubert, Chopin, Berlios, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Weber, Ravel.

1 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2009

The Foxtrot appeared in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and reached its peak of popularity in the 20's. The rapid growth in its popularity was due to the talented American dancers Vernon and Irene Castle. Over the years several variations of the Foxtrot have appeared, the most popular ones being the Slow Fox and the Quickstep. The Slow Foxtrot is characterised by long lines, uninterrupted and fluent progressive movements. It implies reserved strength and flight. The dance is complicated since it requires balance and constant control during every movement. To perform it graciously, the dancers, but most especially the lady, need constant training. The Slow Foxtrot requires considerable space and cannot be danced if the ballroom is crowded.

1 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2009

The Quickstep is a light, lively, cheerful dance, crammed with jumps, hops, right, left and back turns. Apparently there are several levels of interpretation: a sparkling dance for youthful dancers, a more refined nobility for middle-aged dancers, and a more reserved, choice choreography for older dancers. English in origin, it replaced the Foxtrot which was a quick dance popular in the 1930's. The lively rhythm of the Quickstep requires lightness and mobility from the dancers. Rich with variations, the Quickstep is considered The Pocket Grammar of standard dances.

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Shangri-La Hotel on 31st August 2009

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