Mariela E.

Bandibas
IA14103

January 12, 2015

Prof. Santuile

Ballroom Dances
CHA CHA
Meaning: The Cha Cha is a vibrant, flamboyant and
playful dance.The Cha Cha requires small steps and lots of
hip motion (Cubanmotion), as it is danced in 4/4 time. The
fourth beat is split into two, giving it the characteristic 2, 3,
4 & 1 rhythm. Therefore, fivesteps are danced to four beats
as in the "One, two, cha chacha" rhythm.
History: Also called the Cha ChaCha, this unmistakable
dance originated in Cuba in the 1940s. Composer and
violinist Enrique Jorrin developed the dance as a variant of
the Mambo and Rumba. The name is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound of
dancers' shoes as they shuffled around the floor.

FOXTROT
Meaning: Foxtrot is composed of fairly simple walking
steps and side steps. The dance combines slow steps,
which use two beats of music, and quick steps, which use
one beat of music. The footwork timing is usually "slow,
quick, quick" or "slow, slow, quick, quick."
History: The Foxtrot was developed in the United States in
the 1920s. Named after its inventor, entertainer Harry Fox,
the Foxtrot is often associated with the smooth dancing
style of Fred Astaire and Ginger.

JIVE
Meaning: Jive is a ballroom dance style that
originated in the United States from AfricanAmericans. It is a lively form of Swing dance, and a
variation of the Jitterbug.
History: Originating in the United States in the 1940s,
Jive was influenced by the Boogie, Rock & Roll,
African/American Swing and Lindyhop.

LINDY HOP

Meaning: The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered

to be the father of all Swing dances. It is known for its
unique, athletic style, and often contains aerial jumps,
twists and flips.
History: Lindy Hop developed as an African American
dance, based in part on the popular Charleston dance.
Named for Charles Lindberg's flight to Paris in 1927, the
Lindy Hop evolved in the streets of Harlem.

MAMBO
Meaning:The feel of the Mambo is based mostly on
forward and backward movements. The basic components
of the dance include rock steps and side steps, with
occasional points, kicks and flicks of the feet. Important to
Mambo is the distinctive hip movement, hence the
meaning of the word mambo: "shake it."
History:The Mambo dance originated in Cuba as a mixture
of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American cultures. The Mambo
is believed to have been named after the voodoo priests who
thought they could send dancers into hypnotic states.

PASO DOBLE
Meaning: Paso Doble, or Pasodoble, is a lively dance
modeled after the drama of the Spanish bullfight. Paso doble
actually means "two-step."
History: The Paso Doble originated in southern France and
began gaining popularity in the United States in the 1930s.

QUICKSTEP
Meaning:The Quickstep is a quick version of the Foxtrot. It
is a ballroom dance comprised of extremely quick
stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick
steps.
History:The Quickstep was developed in the 1920s in
England. During this time, many bands began playing the Foxtrot at a faster pace,
earning the name Quick Foxtrot. The Charleston appeared after this, but lacked

long-term potential. However, in 1927 the Charleston was combined with the Quick
Foxtrot resulting in a name that was much too long: the Quick Time Fox Trot and
Charleston, so it became known simply as the Quickstep.

RUMBA
Meaning: The Rumba is a dance that tells a story of love
and passion between a strong, male lover and a coy,
teasing woman. "Rumba" is a term that refers to a variety
of dances or a "dance party."
History: The rumba is often referred to as the "grandfather
of the Latin dances." Originating in Cuba, it first came to
the United States in the early 1920s. The Rumba is the
slowest of the five competition Latin and American dances.

SAMBA
Meaning: Developed in Brazil during the 19th century, the Samba is considered the
dance of celebration and joy at Carnival celebrations in Rio. The main
characteristics of the Samba are rapid steps taken on quarter beats and a rocking,
swaying motion of the dancers.
History: Introduced in 1917, the Samba wasn't adopted by Brazil as a ballroom
dance until 1930.

TANGO
Meaning:The tango is a
sensual ballroom dance
that originated in South
America in the early
twentieth century. Tango
is usually performed by a
man and a woman,
expressing an element of romance in their synchronized
movements.
History:Spanish settlers were the first to introduce the tango to the New World.
Ballroom tango originated in working-class Buenos Aires. The dance spread quickly
through Europe during the 1900's, then moved on into the United States. Tango
began gaining popularity in New York around 1910.

VIENNESE WALTZ

Meaning:The Viennese Waltz is a quick rotating ballroom

dance with a subtle rise and fall. It is considered by most to
be one of the most difficult dances to learn. The simple and
elegant rotational movement characterizes the
Viennese Waltz.
History:The Waltz developed in Central Europe,
originating from the Austrian folkdance known as the
"Landler." The dance arrived in Vienna during the 1800s,
then became popular throughout Europe and America. The
music of Johann Strauss helped to popularize the faster, elegant Viennese Waltz.

WALTZ
Meaning:The Waltz is one of the smoothest ballroom
dances. It is a progressive dance marked by long, flowing
movements, continuous turns, and "rise and fall." The
dance is so graceful and elegant, Waltz dancers appear to
glide around the floor with almost no effort.
History:Based on basic techniques originating during the
1920s, the Waltz has continued to develop throughout the
20th century. The Waltz was born as an Austro-German folk
dance known as the Landler, which was characterized by
the rotating movements of partners dancing together. The music of Johann Strauss
helped to popularize the Waltz.