Ballroom dance refers to 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, to almost any type of social dancing as recreation. However, with the emergence of dance sport in modern times, the term has become narrower in scope. It usually refers to the International Standard and International Latin style dances (see dance categories below). These styles were developed in England,[1] and are now regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC). In the United States, two additional variations are popular: American Smooth and American Rhythm.
HISTORY OF BALLROOM DANCE
Dancing has played an important role in the cultures of many societies throughout history. Much of the history of ballroom dancing has involved social gatherings, dances and balls, at which dancing was particularly important as a means of enabling young people to meet each other, with the hope that they might meet their future husband or wife. Ballroom dancing allowed couples to spend time in close proximity, while chaperoned. During the Middle Ages, there was very little difference between folk and ballroom dancing, and dancing often involved groups of people moving in lines and circles, rather than dancing as couples. This was in part because most rooms had a central hearth, around which the dancers had to move. Once chimneys and fireplaces set in the side of the room began to be used, the movement of the dancers was no longer restricted by the obstruction of the hearth. Social dancing began to separate from folk dance during the Renaissance, with more formalized dances becoming common in the European royal courts. France was the source of many of the new styles of dance at this time. The Minuet appeared during the 17th century, towards the end of this formal, mannered period. It was a very elegant, formal dance. As social boundaries and rank started to become less important, more egalitarian dances such as the Quadrille and Cotillion, were invented, which enabled a constant changing of partners in dances that could fill huge ballrooms. The polka originated during the 19th century, from a Bohemian folk dance that was formalized by the French, but it was the introduction of the waltz during the Victorian era that was particularly important for ballroom dancing. Its speed and the prolonged close embrace of the dancers was considered revolutionary and rather shocking at the time. The waltz was largely enabled by the smoother surfaces of dance floors at the time, and by the abandonment of heavy hobnailed shoes. One of the most important features of the waltz was that individual couples began to move independently, which became very important in the modern ballroom dancing of the 20th century.
During the 20th century, many new dances were introduced to the ballroom. The Tango was derived from two dances, a solo dance from Spain and an Argentinean courtship dance that was originally considered taboo among polite society in Argentina. A moderated version of the tango had appeared before the First World War. Dances such as the American foxtrot, quickstep, Afro-Cuban rumba, Spanish Paso double, Brazilian samba, Cuban cha-cha, jive and American swing also became popular during the 20th century, as new music styles and social rules changed and relaxed. Modern ballroom dancing originated during the 20th century, with dances that allowed couples to move independently and with the introduction of new music styles. At the same time, there was an increasing interest in creating dances that could easily be taught from the new styles of dance and music, in both the US and Europe. Ballroom dances were becoming standardized, allowing dancer to learn a number of standard moves that they could use with any partner they met. Dancers and professionals like Irene and Vernon Castle, and dance societies such as the Arthur Murray group were very influential. Later in the century, screen stars such as Fred Astaire helped to spread interest in ballroom dancing. Competitive ballroom dancing or dance sport began to overtake social dancing towards the end of the 20th century, with two main styles evolving: the International or WDC defined style and the American style. Dance sport had been around for some time, with a world championship being held unofficially in 1909. It first appeared on the television in 1960 and became very popular during the 1980s. Ballroom dancing has recently increased in popularity due to the presence of competitive dancing on television screens around the world. Latin dance is a general label (and a term in partner dance competition jargon) that refers to various forms of ballroom dance and folk dance, and can include a wide range of dances originating in Latin America (including Puerto Rico and Cuba). The International Latin dances of Dance sport(recognized by the WDC, WDSF, IDSA, and IDU) are Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Double, and Jive.
HISTORY OF LATIN DANCE
Dancing to this day, is the greatest way for people to enjoy music, release stress, and express themselves. Not dancing is a beautiful and passionate as latin dance. In the early 16th century, many Africans were brought as slaves to various Latin and European countries. The Africans brought their culture, especially their native rhythmic dancing with them. For recreation the African slaves would make drums out of whatever was available. They would tap their hands and feet, making rhythms no one had ever heard before. The Africans would then bring those rhythms alive with the native dancing! Europeans already had their own unique
type of music and dance. Eventually, the natives of other Spanish countries immediately fell in love with the beautiful african dancing, and began to copy it, and fuse it into their own native latin dance. The result was variety of unique and beautiful latin dancing styles such as merengue, salsa, bachata, lambada, cumbia, cha cha, rueda, and many others. Many governments and religions tried to stop this fusion of African and European dancing. However they were not successful. Eventually as the centuries passed, latin style music and dancing branched out even more to different types of dancing. For example, the fusion of African and Brazilian dancing gave birth to Samba. The mixture of Haitian dancing in the Dominican Republic created merengue. The dances of the Africans mixed with the traditional dances in Cuba to create cha cha, and rumba. Today, latin dance is more popular than ever. It has even become a part of American pop culture. Its important to appreciate its unique history.
