- The foxtrot or fox trot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music, and the feeling is one of elegance and sophistication. The dance is similar in its look to waltz, although the rhythm is 4/4 instead of ¾ time. Developed in the 1920s, the foxtrot reached its height of popularity in the 1930s, and remains practiced today.
- Tango, a distinctive dance and the corresponding musical style of tango music, began in the working-class port neighborhoods of Buenos Aires (Argentina); and years later in Montevideo, Uruguay; the area of the Rio de la Plata. It is considered to be a representation of the non-verbal struggle between the sexes.
- Rumba is a romantic Latin rhythm dance that originated in Cuba. It is consider to be the oldest of the Latin American dances. Its name is derived from the Spanish word “rumbear,” which means “to have fun” or “to go to a party.”
- The waltz is a very classic and elegant ballroom dance. It is one of the few dances performed in 3/4 timing and is generally performed in closed dance frame position.
- The Cha-Cha is considered to be a flirty Latin rhythm dance of Cuban origin.This rhythm was developed by a syncopation of the fourth beat.
- Salsa is a very sexy Latin rhythm dance. It is generally associated with the salsa music style, although it may be danced under other types of tropical music. Salsa is one of the least formal ballroom dances available and can be improvised or performed with a set routine.[
- East Coast Swing “] East Coast Swing is a very common and fun partner dance. It is also called Eastern Swing, Jitterbug, American Swing, East Coast Lindy, and Triple Swing. Other variants of East Coast Swing that use altered footwork forms are known as Single Swing (where the triple step is replaced by a single step forming a slow, slow, quick, quick rhythm
- West Coast Swing is a partner dance with roots in other types of swing. It is characterized by a distinctive elastic look that results from its basic extension-compression technique of partner connection, and is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. The dance allows for both partners to improvise steps while dancing together, putting West Coast Swing in a short list of dances that put a premium on improvisation. Typically the follower walks into new patterns traveling forward on counts “1” and “2” of each basic pattern, rather than rocking back. The Anchor Step is a common ending pattern of many West Coast Swing figures.
- Merengue is a style of Dominican dance. Partners hold each other in a closed position. Partners bend their knees slightly left and right, thus making the hips move left and right. Partners may walk sideways or circle each other, in small steps, switch to an open position, do separate turns without letting go each other’s hands, and twist and tie their handhold into intricate pretzels.
- Country dancing is an much more informal, relaxed, simple, casual, without affection, which does not mean sloppy though. Country dancing emphasizes smoothness on the dance floor, and keeping time with the music. There are many types of Country western, including: Two-step, Shuffle, Cowboy Cha Cha, Waltz, etc.
- Cajun Two Step is a style of Cajun dancing is arguably the most traditional. It is very similar to the country western two-step. The traditional Cajun two-step doesn’t have as many fancy turns and spins as their country western cousin.
- Traditional Cajun Jig, the newest form of Cajun dance features a “hobble step” alternating feet like you are stepping on and off a curb. In reality, it is a subtle weighting down of one foot/leg (right for men, left for woman) which allows the opposite leg to move about. The effect is to facilitate turns and swings reminiscent of jitterbug and swing dancing, or versions of Country Western dancing.
- Samba is a very lively rhythmical ballroom dance. It is related to the traditional samba styles of Brazil, but differs from them considerably. Its music is in 2/4 or 4/4 timing. Most steps are danced with a slight downward bouncing or dropping action. This action is created through the bending and straightening of the knees, with bending occurring on the beats of 1 and 2, and the straightening occurring between. Samba has a specific hip action, different from that in ballroom Latin dances.
- The Viennese Waltz is usually much faster than traditional waltz. It is a rotary dance where the dancers are constantly turning either toward the leader’s right (natural) or toward the leader’s left (reverse), interspersed with non-rotating change steps to switch between the direction of rotation
- The quickstep is a light-hearted member 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. Quickstep was developed in the twenties in New York and was first danced by Caribbean and African dancers. 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.
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