 |  |
LATIN DANCES
Merengue - One of those easy, fun dances that you can learn almost instantly. I highly
recommend a little Merengue as a strong basis for learning your Latin motion; after all, it's so easy it
gives you time to concentrate on the rest of your body.
recommend a little Merengue as a strong basis for learning your Latin motion; after all, it's so easy it
gives you time to concentrate on the rest of your body.
Mambo - This one gained it's popularity around the late '30's I believe and Xavier Kugat may take
the prize for this one.... but it caught on and became so popular that it was added to competitions
under the Rhythm dances. This dance is a good basis for other dances, particularly the Cha Cha and
Salsa.
the prize for this one.... but it caught on and became so popular that it was added to competitions
under the Rhythm dances. This dance is a good basis for other dances, particularly the Cha Cha and
Salsa.
Rumba - Another Latin dance, lots of similar patterns to the Cha Cha and other Latin dances, but
very different timing. It's slower and requires a little more control, and definitely worth learning.
very different timing. It's slower and requires a little more control, and definitely worth learning.
Cha Cha - I read somewhere that the Cha Cha was accidentally created by someone who was
having trouble with the Mambo and kept putting extra "stutters" in and those around him thought it
was so cool looking it became a dance of its own. And so it's been around for awhile and is still very
popular....and whether you're dancing it to a true Latin Song or a country/western hit with a latiny beat,
or an old '50's song, the cha cha is the cha cha.... add this one to your repertoire.
having trouble with the Mambo and kept putting extra "stutters" in and those around him thought it
was so cool looking it became a dance of its own. And so it's been around for awhile and is still very
popular....and whether you're dancing it to a true Latin Song or a country/western hit with a latiny beat,
or an old '50's song, the cha cha is the cha cha.... add this one to your repertoire.
Samba - this one is just so much fun, and in a class of it's own. It's got strong rhythms and
pulsating beats and the music just makes you wanna get up and dance. If you don't want to learn
something quite this difficult and feel you won't use it often enough, then try the Bossa Nova (see
description below).
pulsating beats and the music just makes you wanna get up and dance. If you don't want to learn
something quite this difficult and feel you won't use it often enough, then try the Bossa Nova (see
description below).
Salsa - As far as I know, it came out of the Mambo, and that's why the Mambo basic is the basis of
this dance (not the Cumbia style, that's another form of Salsa). This one is called the New York Salsa
or Club Salsa. A lot of the steps are similar to Mambo, but at some point they become "hotter and
spicier" to match the music, and there's definitely a different look and feel between the Mambo and
Salsa. Learn either or learn both....there is some overlap, but that's okay, repetition is a must when it
comes to learning dance.
this dance (not the Cumbia style, that's another form of Salsa). This one is called the New York Salsa
or Club Salsa. A lot of the steps are similar to Mambo, but at some point they become "hotter and
spicier" to match the music, and there's definitely a different look and feel between the Mambo and
Salsa. Learn either or learn both....there is some overlap, but that's okay, repetition is a must when it
comes to learning dance.
Bolero - A graceful, flowing Latin dance, done to a lot of the slower rumba music, but doesn't look
or feel anything like the Rumba...
or feel anything like the Rumba...
SWINGS AND HUSTLES
East Coast Swing (Jitterbug)- So many swings, but this is the one you've probably seen
the most... on American Bandstand, at most weddings and parties, ... and to the jukebox! And it's still
so very popular in Ballrooms and in Country Western Dancing (yes, it's the same thing!).
the most... on American Bandstand, at most weddings and parties, ... and to the jukebox! And it's still
so very popular in Ballrooms and in Country Western Dancing (yes, it's the same thing!).
Boogie - I've recently run into this one, which is pretty much the same as other swings, as far as
patterns go, but the footwoork's a little different...it's more like a two-step. So you tap and step, instead
of triple stepping, but you still back rock. It actually fits the music better on slow as well as fast songs.
I didn't see this one done in the area much, but it's apparently more popular as a Latin version of Swing.
patterns go, but the footwoork's a little different...it's more like a two-step. So you tap and step, instead
of triple stepping, but you still back rock. It actually fits the music better on slow as well as fast songs.
I didn't see this one done in the area much, but it's apparently more popular as a Latin version of Swing.
Social Hustle - This is not the hustle you learned in the '70's. This is an easier-to-learn and
easier-to-dance version. You'll also hear it called 4-count hustle, 4-count swing, and Beginner Hustle...
yes, it's all that and more. It's so versatile you'll l use it for a good many of the songs that you used to
sit out....we use the 70's music of course, starting with the BeeGees right on up through today's popular
dance and house music.... You absolutely have to learn this one so you'll be ready for your next party.
easier-to-dance version. You'll also hear it called 4-count hustle, 4-count swing, and Beginner Hustle...
yes, it's all that and more. It's so versatile you'll l use it for a good many of the songs that you used to
sit out....we use the 70's music of course, starting with the BeeGees right on up through today's popular
dance and house music.... You absolutely have to learn this one so you'll be ready for your next party.
3-Count Hustle - We'll actually do a lot of similar moves that we learned in Social Hustle, but
we'll pick up the pace a bit and move onto the 3-count timing.....great stuff, again you'll get a lot of use
out of this and you can it to the same music as Social Hustle!
we'll pick up the pace a bit and move onto the 3-count timing.....great stuff, again you'll get a lot of use
out of this and you can it to the same music as Social Hustle!
West Coast Swing - This one was very popular on the West Coast then became very
popular at Country Western dances, but it was such a great dance, we started teaching it in the
Ballroom... and it can be done to any slower-type of swing music, so you can do it whenever you like.
It's sultry, it's different! Curious?! A little trickier to learn, but worth the effort.
popular at Country Western dances, but it was such a great dance, we started teaching it in the
Ballroom... and it can be done to any slower-type of swing music, so you can do it whenever you like.
It's sultry, it's different! Curious?! A little trickier to learn, but worth the effort.
SOCIAL DANCING
Slow Dancing - There are many types of Slow Dancing. Generally I teach the one with a little
rock step....it's beautiful and extremely easy to learn and it looks much more elegant than just moving
from foot to foot. This one also is becoming very popular and it's for all ages and all types of slow
music. People are always amazed when they learn this because they didn't realize there was so much
you could do to a slow song that feels good and took very little time to learn.
rock step....it's beautiful and extremely easy to learn and it looks much more elegant than just moving
from foot to foot. This one also is becoming very popular and it's for all ages and all types of slow
music. People are always amazed when they learn this because they didn't realize there was so much
you could do to a slow song that feels good and took very little time to learn.
Night Club Two Step - This is another version of slow dancing but can be done to music
that's a little faster paced than the extremely slow. It's got a little kick to it and it is very graceful. A
little more of a challenge to learn, but once you get it, you'll love it. Very popular with the Country crowd
and popular at weddings and parties.
that's a little faster paced than the extremely slow. It's got a little kick to it and it is very graceful. A
little more of a challenge to learn, but once you get it, you'll love it. Very popular with the Country crowd
and popular at weddings and parties.
Bossa Nova - Yes, the Bossa Nova....it's not dead. It's done to a lot of Samba type of music but it
has it's own beat. It's so easy you'll find yourself doing it to a lot of songs that you sat out before. The
step is also used in another version of slow dancing to slow music, of course, so when we learn this
one we switch between the Bossa Nova and the Slow songs, and you will then have TWO new dances
under your belt.
has it's own beat. It's so easy you'll find yourself doing it to a lot of songs that you sat out before. The
step is also used in another version of slow dancing to slow music, of course, so when we learn this
one we switch between the Bossa Nova and the Slow songs, and you will then have TWO new dances
under your belt.
Polka - One of those dances that you either learn as a child or you never seem to get around to.
Well, I teach the Polka and I have a blast with it....I do believe it's the most fun you could have on a
dance floor. But I teach the "safe" steps first, so you don't get out there and start spinning out of
control and getting dizzy. Then we work our way up to the turns.... what a great dance, and it burns off
so many calories!
Well, I teach the Polka and I have a blast with it....I do believe it's the most fun you could have on a
dance floor. But I teach the "safe" steps first, so you don't get out there and start spinning out of
control and getting dizzy. Then we work our way up to the turns.... what a great dance, and it burns off
so many calories!
Social Beginner Waltz - Pretty much the same as the beginner (bronze) Waltz we teach in
Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer.
Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer.
Social Continuity Waltz - Pretty much the same as the Intermediate (silver) Waltz we teach
in Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer. This one "passes the feet" which gives it a more flowing
look, more continuity. It's a little harder to learn but it's very graceful. Same as the one I teach in
Country Waltz.
in Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer. This one "passes the feet" which gives it a more flowing
look, more continuity. It's a little harder to learn but it's very graceful. Same as the one I teach in
Country Waltz.
Social Beginner Foxtrot - Pretty much the same as the beginner (bronze) Foxtrot we teach
in Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer.
in Ballroom, but a little more forgiving with technique. You'll still look great on the dance floor, but the
steps are modified for the social dancer.
Freestyle - If I put 20 people in a circle and I ask them to dance "freestyle" or anything that
appeals to them, I rarely will see two people doing the same thing....but for the most part, there is a
handful of basic steps that not everyone uses. We get comfortable with one or two steps and that's
where we stay. Do you know that most of the freestyle steps are used in your line dances? So I will
show you some basic steps, and then we'll apply them to some basic line dances just for fun.
appeals to them, I rarely will see two people doing the same thing....but for the most part, there is a
handful of basic steps that not everyone uses. We get comfortable with one or two steps and that's
where we stay. Do you know that most of the freestyle steps are used in your line dances? So I will
show you some basic steps, and then we'll apply them to some basic line dances just for fun.
Social Tango - they play enough Tangos to justify learning this one. Not as complicated as the
Tango we teach in Ballroom, but done to the same music and lots of fun. Yes, it's pretty much the
popular Tango you've seen in the old movies...so do you want to learn it?
Tango we teach in Ballroom, but done to the same music and lots of fun. Yes, it's pretty much the
popular Tango you've seen in the old movies...so do you want to learn it?
Peabody - I'm not sure why this dance lost so much of its popularity in ballrooms, maybe because it
was replaced by the QuickStep, but it's actually easier than the quickstep. It is a form of Foxtrot but
passes the feet and has a lot of open turns like the silver foxtrot. I love it, and I think it's very versatile
and it's safe, you can move around the room a lot more controlled that you can with the quick step.
was replaced by the QuickStep, but it's actually easier than the quickstep. It is a form of Foxtrot but
passes the feet and has a lot of open turns like the silver foxtrot. I love it, and I think it's very versatile
and it's safe, you can move around the room a lot more controlled that you can with the quick step.
Viennese Waltz - this is a lovely, floating-around-the-room at high-speeds Waltz. It is so lovely,
but it could be so dangerous if not done properly. so there are two ways to do it; the Ballroom way and
the Social way. In ballroom we teach very specific steps, it's tricky to learn, but once you master it,
you can get around the room easily. If you don't do it correctly, you could feel like you're working too
hard, and you can cause a crash...yes, I've seen people go down on this one, including myself when I
first learned it. When I teach this course I teach the "safe steps" first, so you can still get up and dance
without trying to make those big turns yet. If I teach it as a social dance, I teach you to turn it the
"social" way, we don't worry about the feet being placed just so, but we get around safely, with less
work, and with just as much fun. However, you still won't find too many fast waltzes being played
throughout the night unless you're in a ballroom setting, or you've gone specifically to a V. Waltz
party...yes...they have them.
but it could be so dangerous if not done properly. so there are two ways to do it; the Ballroom way and
the Social way. In ballroom we teach very specific steps, it's tricky to learn, but once you master it,
you can get around the room easily. If you don't do it correctly, you could feel like you're working too
hard, and you can cause a crash...yes, I've seen people go down on this one, including myself when I
first learned it. When I teach this course I teach the "safe steps" first, so you can still get up and dance
without trying to make those big turns yet. If I teach it as a social dance, I teach you to turn it the
"social" way, we don't worry about the feet being placed just so, but we get around safely, with less
work, and with just as much fun. However, you still won't find too many fast waltzes being played
throughout the night unless you're in a ballroom setting, or you've gone specifically to a V. Waltz
party...yes...they have them.
Other various dances could fit here, too - Like swing and hustle, cha cha and merengue
(see descriptions above). Add Bachata and Boogie to this list.
(see descriptions above). Add Bachata and Boogie to this list.
BALLROOM DANCING
I'm separating out this category because if you truly wanted to learn Ballroom Dancing with all its formality
and technique and fine-tune what you already know, or jump into Ballroom Dancing right away. It follows a
standard syllabus, we do worry a bit more about where we put our feet and our posture, but if you were to go
to a Ballroom, you'd feel right at home.
and technique and fine-tune what you already know, or jump into Ballroom Dancing right away. It follows a
standard syllabus, we do worry a bit more about where we put our feet and our posture, but if you were to go
to a Ballroom, you'd feel right at home.
Latin Dances - Any of the Latin Dances I teach are also done in the Ballroom. We might work a little
bit more on the Latin Motion and placement of feet and arms, but in general the steps are the same.
bit more on the Latin Motion and placement of feet and arms, but in general the steps are the same.
Hustles and Swings - Any of the Hustles and Swings I teach are also done in the Ballroom. We
might work a little bit more on the Latin Motion and placement of feet and arms, but in general the steps are
the same.
might work a little bit more on the Latin Motion and placement of feet and arms, but in general the steps are
the same.
Jive - This is the International version of our Swing. It has many similar steps but mostly with different
names, starts on the back rock, and the hand hold is different just to name a few. The music's a little faster
for the most part, but some of the steps are so much fun, that I include them in my Swing classes.
names, starts on the back rock, and the hand hold is different just to name a few. The music's a little faster
for the most part, but some of the steps are so much fun, that I include them in my Swing classes.
Smooth Dances - The Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Silver Waltz, Foxtrot, Silver Foxtrot and Tango have
similar steps to those of the social versions, but the placement of the feet, arms, position in the room, etc.,
is a little more strict. The timing is the same, but the steps are cleaner.....
One more we didn't cover in Social Dancing is the Quickstep, see below
similar steps to those of the social versions, but the placement of the feet, arms, position in the room, etc.,
is a little more strict. The timing is the same, but the steps are cleaner.....
One more we didn't cover in Social Dancing is the Quickstep, see below
The Quick Step - Where most International dances have an American counterpart, this one does
not. It's part of the International Division and there is no American version. We teach it as is. It's a lovely
dance, but it's done mostly in ballrooms and competitions. You won't see it much at parties and weddings
because it travels around the room very quickly, and unless you could get everyone in the room to dance it,
you'd have a problem. Sometimes you will see people doing a quick step while others are doing a fast
swing, but it generally causes problems. So use caution with this one, don't try it if everyone else in the
middle of the room trying to do a fast swing.
not. It's part of the International Division and there is no American version. We teach it as is. It's a lovely
dance, but it's done mostly in ballrooms and competitions. You won't see it much at parties and weddings
because it travels around the room very quickly, and unless you could get everyone in the room to dance it,
you'd have a problem. Sometimes you will see people doing a quick step while others are doing a fast
swing, but it generally causes problems. So use caution with this one, don't try it if everyone else in the
middle of the room trying to do a fast swing.
| |
Descriptions of Dances
Bachata - I'm adding this one as I've been coming across it a lot lately, did some research and
found that it's quite popular. It originated in the Dominican Republic and has gained a lot of
popularity here in the States, too. It looks something like a Merengue; and the music is something
betwen a Merengue and Reggae, to me, anyway.
found that it's quite popular. It originated in the Dominican Republic and has gained a lot of
popularity here in the States, too. It looks something like a Merengue; and the music is something
betwen a Merengue and Reggae, to me, anyway.