West Coast Swing has multiple acknowledged origins. Dancer Dean Collins is said to have adapted dancing in a slot in order to make better camera angles for film. Others believe Lindy Hop evolved into West Coast Swing due to crowded blues clubs and slower music.West Coast Swing is danced in...
Waltz
The Waltz evolved from the German and Austrian peasant dance called the Ländler and became fashionable in the suburbs of Vienna around the 1780s, spreading to many other countries in the years to follow. Johann Strauss wrote the first waltz music. Danced in 3/4 time, the dance is characterized by...
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz is the oldest ballroom dance, initially appearing in Germany and Austria in the late 18th century, and later spreading to England, under the name of the “German Waltz” in the early 19th century. Johann Strauss wrote the first Waltz music which was fast and required greater technique...
Triple Two Step
Triple Two Step, also known as Fort Worth Shuffle or Double Two Step, is a graceful country dance. The dance uses the same beat values as East Coast Swing, but progresses down the dancefloor in a circle. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as “Swing on the Move.” Triple Two...
Tango
Ballroom Tango origins come from the slums of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. In the infamous Barrio de las Ranas, Argentine gauchos and migrating blacks traded cultural rhythms and dance steps in brothels. While Tango was performed very different in each dance partnership, the dance was eventually standardized....
Salsa
Salsa’s origins come primarily from “Son” music, originally played by African Slaves mixed with Spanish musicians. Salsa is a fast and spicy dance with many turns, spins, and shines (fancy footwork). It can be danced with partnerwork with two dancers dancing together, or the dance can be danced apart as...
Rumba
Rumba has Afro-Cuban origins in the late 19th century. Danced in 4/4 time to big band music, Rumba is a non-progressive dance and has a slow and sensual romantic feel. It is sometimes referred to as the “dance of love.” Rumba has Afro-Cuban origins in the late 19th century. Rumba...
Quickstep
Quickstep developed in the 1920s in New York City out of foxtrot, charleston, shag, peabody, and one step. Danced in 4/4 time to ragtime era jazz music, Quickstep has a lot of movement across the floor while dancers appear very light on their feet. The dance includes hops, runs, chasses,...
Polka
Polka dancing is said to be created by a young woman, Anna Slezakova, who danced it to a folk song, “Uncle Nimra Bought a White Horse”, in 1830. Josef Neruda, a music teacher noticed her dancing in an unusual way to the music and then taught other men to do...
Paso Doble
The Paso Doble was composed as early as 1780 as a military march for the Spanish Infantry. In the 19th century, the music was introduced to bull fights. Paso Doble is a fast dance with a march beat. The moves are sharp and quick and encompass elements of Flamenco and...