Latin Dance
1. Jive
The Jive is lively and fast-paced dance that is typically danced to up-beat swing or contemporary
music. In the competitive ballroom dancing communities, the Jive is considered a Latin dance,
however, it also belongs to the swing dancing family. It’s a popular dance on shows such as, “So
You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars.”
History of the Jive:
The Jive has been around for nearly one hundred years, and has evolved and changed throughout
its lifetime. When looking at the history of Jive dancing it’s important to note that it’s
development in each country and within each generation has varied so it is not uncommon to get
different answers when you ask people what the Jive is. There are at least three different main
threads of the Jive. The first style is celebrated by those who love the music, fashion, and style of
the traditional style of Jive which has also been called Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and Rock ‘n Roll,
among other names. Another style of the Jive is Ballroom Jive and is danced in ballrooms and
ballroom dance studios. The third style of the Jive is danced at local dance clubs and is known
Modern Jive, Ceroc, Le Roc or French Jive.
The strongest and oldest dance lineage of the Jive dates back to the dance genre known as Lindy
Hop. The Lindy Hop was first named in 1927. Lindy Hop drew on previously existing dance
styles and combined them in a unique manner that combined both open and closed positions with
dancer’s improvisations to the syncopated rhythms of swing music.
The word “jive” was slang often associated swing music and early jazz, as well as imitation,
exaggeration, and foolish talk. It’s possible the word “jive” came from the English “Jibe,”
meaning to change course by swinging a sail across a following wind, or the West African “jev.”
The phrase “they’re just jiving,” meaning they’re just fooling around, was probably mistaken to
mean the actual name of a dance. The singer and bandleader Cab Calloway made the word more
widely known to the public when he associated it with swing and published it in the first African-
American slang dictionary. The New Cab Calloway’s Hepsters Dictionary: The Language of
Jive was published in 1938, but the word “Jive” was associated with the dance closer to 1934.
The Jive was also called the “Jitterbug Jive” and was a category of dance in the 1935 dance
competitions hosted in New York City at the annual “Harvest Moon Ball.” The word “Jitterbug,”
is believed to be coined by Cab Calloway’s band’s trombonist Harry White who described
dancers as moving “like the frenzy of jittering bugs.” Later, trumpeter Edwin Swaysee wrote a
song titled “Jitterbug” that became a huge hit and made “Jitterbug” a household name.
Throughout the 1930s, the Jitterbug Jive expanded into different styles including dances that
added six-beat patterns and adapted to various speeds of music. Dancers began to include
personal touches including tap steps, jazz moves, acrobatics, ariels and more. The 1940s brought
a lot of change to the Jive. American GIs increased the influence of American Jive on Europe.
The UK developed a style of Jive in the 1940s that was simpler and used mostly six or four beat
patterns with lots of repetition. In the U.S., the dance continued to evolve in a variety of
directions. The region, music style, and dancers influenced the Jive informally in dance halls and
more formally in dance schools. The “Jive,” also known as “Jitterbug”, began to be called “Rock
‘n’ Roll” as Bill Haley’s hit record Rock Around the Clock released in 1956.
Jive dancing continued to develop and evolve spawning different styles and dance techniques in
the various countries the popular dance became known in around the world.
Costumes used for Jive dance:
The costumes worn by men during Jive
include an overcoat, shirt, trousers, and a
pair of dancing shoes. A colorful short
dress and a pair of high-heeled shoes are
required for the female performer.
2. Paso Doble
The paso doble has a complex history that begins in the eighteenth century:
Spanish origins: The origins of the paso doble vary according to sources. Some historical
records claim that dancers first performed paso doble music in Spain in 1780. Paso doble
tunes were then reportedly adapted as marching music for Spanish infantry troops, who were
reportedly able to take 120 steps per minute—or double their normal pace—because of the
music’s quick 2/4 time signature (two quarter-note beats per measure). In the nineteenth
century, paso doble songs also served as music for Spanish bullfights during the paseo, or
entrance into the ring.
French origins: The French version of the paso doble origin story is similar to the Spanish
iteration: It reportedly began as a dance style from southern France called the “paso redoble,”
which the French military adopted as a fast-paced march. How the paso doble picked up the
bullfighting influence is unclear in the French version. Still, when the paso doble dance
resurfaced in Paris during the 1920s, its dance steps resembled a romanticized duel between a
matador and bull.
Worldwide popularity: The paso double’s dynamic choreography helped popularize the
dance in the United States and other parts of the world. It has been a highlight of competition
dance since the mid-1940s. In 1963, the World Dance Council’s World Dance Program added
the dance to the rosters of their classical and Latin American dance classes. The program
continues to teach and preserve the dance.
3 Characteristics of Paso Doble:
Several characteristics define the paso doble, including:
1. Influences: Flamenco dance strongly influenced the paso doble. Both the paso doble
dancer and the flamenco dancer stamp their feet in rhythmic patterns as part of their
performance.
2. Music: Spanish composer Pascual Marquina Narro’s 1923 composition “España Cañi”— a
slow-building song built on a 2/4 marching rhythm—is most often associated with paso
doble. Most paso doble songs, including modern paso doble songs, feature variations on
“España Cañi’s” structure.
3. Steps: Paso doble steps represent a bullfight, with the male partner—the matador—in the
lead, and the female partner following. Their movements are sharp and confident, with heads
and chests held high. The dance also features seven steps with French names like the “huit”
or “sur place” that occur during breaks or “highlights” in the song. In competitive ballroom
dancing, the number of highlights varies according to whether the competition is at an open
level, which allows for improvisation, or syllabus level, which restricts the dancers to
specific movements.
Traditional Paso Doble outfits for the
male dancer consist of the matador pants
and a suitable bolero jacket. The outfit is
completed with a white shirt and tie. The
traditional female outfit usually is red to
represent the cape and consists of a long
and wide skirt.
3. Slow Waltz
The Slow Waltz, also known as the English Waltz, is a beautiful and graceful dance that has
captured the hearts of dancers and audiences alike. With its gentle, flowing movements and
romantic atmosphere, the Slow Waltz is an essential part of any ballroom dance repertoire. In
this article, we will explore the history, characteristics, and techniques of this enchanting
dance.
History:
The Slow Waltz originated in the early 20th century as a more restrained and elegant version
of the fast-paced Viennese Waltz. As it gained popularity in England and other European
countries, it became known as the English Waltz. Today, the Slow Waltz is a staple of
International Style ballroom dancing and is enjoyed by dancers of all levels around the
world.
Characteristics:
The Slow Waltz is characterized by its slow, sweeping movements and romantic ambiance. It
is typically danced to music with a tempo of 28-30 measures per minute, allowing for greater
expression and the incorporation of the rise and fall technique. This dance's fluidity and
elegance make it a favorite among both novice and experienced dancers.
Women
Long, formal ball gowns made of luxurious
fabrics like satin, silk, taffeta, or
velvet. Gowns can be full-length with skirts
that reach at least the ankles, or they can be
two-piece ensembles. For black-tie events,
women may also wear shawls and opera-
length gloves.
Men
Tuxedos, which include a black dinner jacket
with silk facings, matching trousers, a white
formal shirt, and a black silk bow tie. For the
first and last dances of the season, men may
wear a summer-weight, white dinner jacket
instead. Men may also wear suits and ties or dinner jackets.
4. Quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the
dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies
that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events. Its origins
are in combination of slow foxtrot combined with the Charleston, a dance which was one of
the precursors to what today is called swing dancing.
History
The quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of the foxtrot, Charleston, shag,
Peabody, and one-step. The dance is English in origin and was standardized in 1927. While it
evolved from the foxtrot, the quickstep now is quite separate. Unlike the modern foxtrot, the
leader often closes his feet, and syncopated steps are regular occurrences (as was the case in
early foxtrot). Three characteristic dance figures of the quickstep are the chassés, where the
feet are brought together, the quarter turns, and the lock step.[2]p126
This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with much movement on the dance
floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with much momentum,
and rotation. The tempo of quickstep dance is rather brisk, as it was developed to ragtime era
jazz music, which is fast-paced when compared to other dance music.
By the end of the 20th century the complexity of quickstep as done by advanced dancers had
increased, with the extensive use of syncopated steps with eighth note durations. While in
older times quickstep patterns were counted with "quick" (one beat) and "slow" (two beats)
steps, many advanced patterns today are cued with split beats, such as "quick-and-quick-and-
quick, quick, slow", with there being further steps on the 'and's.
The costumes for quickstep dancing usually
consist of a classic ballroom dress for the female
dancer and a tuxedo for the male dancer. The
female dancer’s dress is usually designed to
accentuate her movement and is usually made of
lightweight fabric. The male dancer’s tuxedo is
usually tailored to fit perfectly, with a crisp
white shirt and a black bowtie. Both dancers will
typically wear dance shoes specifically designed
for ballroom dancing.
