|
|
 |
Ballroom and Latin American dancing comprises of 10 dances, and they are divided into two disciplines:
 |
Latin American
Cha Cha Cha
Rumba
Samba
Jive
Paso Doble |
|
Modern
Waltz
Quickstep
Fox Trot
Tango
Vienesse Waltz |
Basic Step
Each of these dances has what is called a basic step, this is a simple sequence of steps that is danced repeatedly through the dance.
The beginners classes her at Strictly No Sequins are dedicated to just learning the basic step of the dances.
It’s during the Intermediate class, you will learn ‘Variations’. Variations are moves which you do from the basic step, and either end with your going back to the basic step, or you go into another variation.
Music
Each of the 10 dances is either danced to a different rhythm or a different speed. Therefore you couldn’t dance a waltz to a quickstep track.
The Learning Curve
We have made the decision to only teach 5 or 6 of the above dances. We have selected the dances that are the most popular, and useable on the social dance scene.
Nonetheless this is still a huge amount to learn. We’re conscious that a lot of you are Cerocers and you are accomplished in one dance, well you are now learning 5 dances and this in itself means you have a lot to learn.
Furthermore, unlike Ceroc we will be are teaching you technique, floorcraft, musicality, posture and body movement. Essentially if you are serious about your dancing and you want to become a great dancer then the skills we will be teaching you will improve your dancing in general including your Ceroc dancing.
|
|
ENGLISH WALTZ
|
|
The Waltz, a dance born in
the suburbs of Vienna and in the Alpine region of Austria.
As early as the 17th century, waltzes were being played
in the ballrooms of the Hapsburg Court. The weller, or turning
dances, were danced by peasants in Austria and Bavaria even
before that time.
By the end of the 18th century, this old peasant dance had
been accepted by high society, and three-quarter rhythm
was here to stay. However popular, the opposition was not
lacking, the Waltz was criticised on moral grounds by those
opposed to its close hold and rapid turning movements.
A lot of the disapproval was voiced by the older generation,
but seldom mentioned is the fact that Queen Victoria was
a keen and expert ballroom dancer with a very special love
of the Waltz.
Fortunately, the violent opposition faded out and the Waltz
weathered an exciting and varied career, emerging today
in two accepted forms, both reflecting the main characteristics
of the dance. They are known as the English Waltz and the
Viennese Waltz.
|
| CHA CHA CHA
|
Originally an offshoot of the Mambo,
the Cha Cha Cha was the rage in the 1950's and is probably
the most popular social Latin dance.
Developed as a result of the peculiar scraping and shuffling
sounds made on the floor whilst dancing the triple mambo,
the Cha Cha Cha was formed and is now danced to a wide
variety of music, from authentic Latin sounds to today's
pop music.
The infectious rhythms and steps are a wonderful base
to get down and groove to.
|
| QUICKSTEP |
Although the music for Quickstep sounds
like a fast Foxtrot, it is actually considered to be a
marriage between the Waltz and the Charleston! The dance
features both the light, airy foot movements of the Charleston
and the "floating through space" of the Waltz.
We teach Social Quickstep and Foxtrot together in the
same class due to the similarity of the music, and on
a social level, many people dance Quickstep as a fast
Foxtrot. Quickstep is a ballroom style competitive dance.
|
| RUMBA |
The Rumba influence came in the 16th
century when the slaves were imported from Africa.
The native Rumba folk dance is a pantomime between a man
and woman and had a staccato beat with accompanying instruments
including maracas, claves, marimbola and drums in the
music representing the vigorous expressive movements of
the dancers.
As recently as 1940, the "Son" was the popular dance of
middle class Cuba being a modified slower and more refined
version of the native Rumba. However slower still is the
"Danzon", the dance of wealthy Cuban society, where very
small steps are taken, with the woman producing a very
subtle tilting of the hips by alternately bending and
straightening the knees.
Inspired by African rhythms and Latin melodies, the Cuban
Rumba is the basis for the Mambo and Cha Cha Cha. The Rumba
is a pre-requisite for good Latin dancing, and helps sharpen
your sense of rhythm, timing and muscle control.
RUMBA is the spirit and soul of Latin music and dance,
and with its fascinating rhythms and body expressions
it is one of the most sensuous dances to dance.
|
| SAMBA |
Samba is a Latin
dance with origins in Brazil. In Brazil, there are many
different types of Samba, including more elegant Salon dancing,
and the wild, uninhibited popular dancing associated with
Carnival.
Carmen Miranda is generally credited with bringing Brazilian
rhythms to the United States and Europe, and since then
the Samba has undergone a metamorphosis, as the steps became
stylised and standardised.
Samba has very distinctive and varied rhythms occurring
simultaneously within every song, which helps to build richness
in the music and excitement in the listening. It is often
called the "South American Waltz", as it features a "rise
and fall" type of motion which is associated with waltz
.
|
|
