About Dances

All of our Ballroom groups will be taught in American Social Style, which is what most danced style all over North America. We also teach in International Style - please ask as for more information about groups around your neighborhood.

We use the International Society of Dance Teacher (ISTD) and the Dance Vision (DVIDA) Syllabus (steps). Students can purchase shoes, CDs, videos and manuals at Dance Plus in Toronto www.danceplus.com or you can check out the DVIDA website www.dancevision.com.

Latin Dances (DanceSport)

The Latin dances can also be called DanceSport, and they are the Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive.

Rumba

Romantic, sensual, slow tempo, passionate, developed from Cuban music (son). Rumba is one of the definitive dances in competitions since in this dance the dancers must not only have clean technique and a strong connection in their partnership, but they must reach deep to find the passionate emotion required to compliment the music.

Cha-Cha

Energetic, playful, fun, developed from Cuban "triple mambo". Salsa clubs around town occasionally throw in a few cha-chas and people really get creative with this very popular dance. Originally known as the Cha-Cha-Cha the dance became popular about 1954 known as the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo. Eventually it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha.

Samba

Upbeat, sexy, quick-moving. Originated in Brazil, where it exists as a solo dance, many festivals in Brazil celebrate Samba music. It was and is danced as a festival dance in street festivals and traditional celebrations throughout the region. It was in the late twenties when first introduced in the U.S. in a Broadway play called "Street Carnival". The festive style and mood of the dance has kept it alive and popular to this day. Samba is a fun dance that fits most of today's popular music.

Paso Doble

Spanish bullfighting goes all the way back to Crete, and could have Greek and/or Syrian origins but is reported to not have come to Spain till the 1700's. France had an infantry march named "Pas redoublé" around 1790.

The name Paso Doble (pass -o- dough blay) is a Spanish folk dance which means "Two Steps" and is done to 2/4 time "Spanish March" music which was originally used for the procession at the beginning of corridas. Andalusans were extremely fond of this music during the 18th century.

Sometimes referred to as the Spanish One-step, the "Paso" as it is affectionately known is a dance of the Bullfight which portrays the Toreador (Bullfighter) and his partner is the Cape (Cappa or Capa).

The Paso Doble dance became quite popular during the 1920s and later became the rage in Paris with the upper classes around the 1930's (which explains the many French terms used in the dance).

Standard Dances (Smooth Dances)

In North America the Standard dances are also referred as Smooth dances. These dances are more formal than Latin dances, and in competition the dancers wear tuxedos and ball gowns and are elegant and poised.

Smooth dances include the waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz and quickstep.

Waltz

Slow, elegant, graceful, poised, born in the late eighteenth and early centuries, this is considered to be the most fundamental of all the ballroom dances.

Tango

One of the most popular of all the dances, this is a passionate, intriguing dance with a driving rhythm underneath it. It is the most intensely emotional of all ballroom dances, and for that reason is a huge favorite.

Foxtrot

Smooth, relaxed and cool, this is a fun dance with lots of personality. It is not complicated but has lots of room for dancers to add character.

Viennese Waltz

A quick, gliding, dizzying dance which travels quickly over the floor - it is immensely fun - it feels a bit like being on a merry-go-round.

Quickstep

One of the 10 competitive dances in Ballroom and Dancesport, originated from Big Band music and the Charleston. This dance has very fast footwork and requires strong muscle control. It is an excellent dance for developing balance, control and grace - all at a quick pace!

For more resources and information go to www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/links.htm

Social or American Style (DVIDA)

These dances are less formal, more modern in style than classic dances; the rhythm dances are more sensual and flirtatious.

The American Style or Rhythm Dances are divided in two groups:

Rhythm A: Rumba, Cha-Cha, Mambo, and East Coast Swing.
Rhythm B: Merengue, WC Swing, Samba, Bolero

RHYTHM A

Rumba

Cha-Cha

Energetic, playful, fun, developed from Cuban "triple mambo". Salsa clubs around town occasionally throw in a few cha-chas and people really get creative with this very popular dance.

Mambo

Fun, lively, a more simple version of LindyHop, and also known as Jitterbug or Swing. Developed during the big band craze, this is the most popular of the swing dances.

East Coast Swing

Fun, lively, a more simple version of LindyHop, and also known as Jitterbug or Swing. Developed during the big band craze, this is the most popular of the swing dances.

RHYTHM B

Merengue

Fun, simple, flirty, the national dance of the Dominican Republic. Also often played at salsa clubs in the city, it has occasionally been said that this dance is TOO sexy.

West Coast Swing

Smooth, groovy, slower than East Coast Swing. Developed in California as a relief from frantic swing club dancing which was quite wild at the time (1950's) - this has a more mellow, groovy feel. West Coast Swing is quickly gaining popularity throughout North America.

Samba

Upbeat, sexy, quick-moving. Originated in Brazil, where it exists as a solo dance, many festivals in Brazil celebrate Samba music.

Bolero

Smooth, romantic, elegant, with Spanish and Afro-Cuban roots (danzon), very slow and dreamy.

For more resources and information go to www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/links.htm

To sing well and to dance is to be well educated.
- Plato