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Ballroom Dances
These dances started appearing first in Italy, during the early years of Renaissance. Popularity of this kind of entertainment quickly swept over the Europe,
United States and the World. Although many other simpler and more easily preformed types of dances caused the ballroom dances to lose some of their
influence, modern worldwide dancing audience started resurrecting these immortal dances in ever increasing pace.
Waltz - This graceful and slow two person dance was first introduced in mid-19th century and was greatly popularized by the music of the famous composer
Johann Strauss. Today this dance represents gold standard and the most famous dance of the ballrooms around the world.
Viennese Waltz - Original form of waltz, first performed at the Italian courts is today remembered as Viennese Waltz. It differs from the much more famous
"English Slow Waltz" by having much faster 180 beats per minute and was the first who introduced "closed hold" between performers.
Tango - Originally created in the Argentinean region of Rio de la Plata, this dance is today known by many of its variations (Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango,
Finish Tango and two types of Ballroom tangos - standard and American) and the fascinating sensual and energetic style.
Cha-Cha-Cha - This incredibly rhythmic dance created in Latin America managed to meld together both the slow and very energetic movements, making it an
instant hit among the dancers around the world.
Rumba - Popularity of this Cuban dance came from its focus on sensual hip movements of dance partners. Since its creation in 1930s many types of Rumba
were created, most notably Cuban Rumba (with the style of the African slaves which created it), Catalan Rumba (with Spanish flavor), Flamenco Rumba and
African Rumba.
Samba - Samba is a famous dance and musical genre that originated form the coast of Africa and land of Brazil. Today infectious rhythm of Samba is regarded
as the national dance of Brazil, and its famous Brazilian Carnival gathers millions Samba dance fans every year.
Mambo - This Cuban dance that accompanies the music of the same name was introduced in 1930s, and quickly managed to gain popularity with the exploits
of famous musicians and dancers such as Perez Prado, Benny Moré, Tongolele, Adalberto Martínez, Rosa Carmina and Lilia Prado.
Quickstep - Light-hearted and fast movement, powerful forms and syncopations, represent the core style characteristics of the Quickstep, one of the most
popular ballroom dances today in the world. Originally developed in the 1920s dance scene of New York and the Caribbean, as the combination of the dances
such as Charleston, a slow variation of Foxtrot, Peabody, shag, and one-step. The smooth and glamorous version of quickstep that is danced today across the
world to 4/4 music beat of 48-52 measures per minute was standardized in 1927.
Jive - Jive is one of the five most popular Latin dances and is also known under the names of swing, boogie or boogie-woogie. It is considered to be one of the
liveliest of all Latin dances, promoting the happy and bloopy type of performances, with lots of knee movement and hip rocking. Its official ballroom jive
variation that is commonly danced at a speed of 176 beats per minute was formalized in the 1990s.
Bolero - Bolero is an Argentine dance, but it also has different international variations of the same name coming from Cuba and Spain. Today’s popular
ballroom version of this dance is based on the Cuban bolero, and it is also known under the name “rumba”. This 2/4 or 4/4 music with a tempo of around 120
beats per minute that is well known all around the world.
African-American and Traditional Jazz dances
Charleston - This extremely popular dance type was popularized by famous tune called "The Charleston" by composer and pianist James P. Johnson. Charleston
craze soon took over the enthusiastic dancers of Prohibition era of United States.
Swing - This dance is today synonym for the jazz and swing music of the 1920s-1930s.Because of the many styles of Jazz music, Swing also comes in many
flavors - Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, West Coast Swing and Rock and Roll.
Tap Dance - This extremely popular form of dance was first introduced during 1920s Prohibition era in United States. Originally created by the African slaves,
tap dancing came into the mainstream with the performances of Nicholas brothers. Few short years later, tap dancing conquered Hollywood and then entire
world.
Moonwalk - This extremely famous dance move that emuates the illusion of walking backwards was first performed by pop icon Michael Jackson in March of
1983, and ever since then it gained planetary fame. No single dance move ever created managed to receive this amount of popularity and recognition.
Boogie-woogie - This quick and energetic style of dance became widely popular during 1930s and 1940s.
Worldwide Dances / Latin dances
Salsa - This Latin dance is today one of the most popular dances in Latin America, North America, Europe and Australia. It's very sensual form, energetic
movement and innovative choreography that was influenced by Mambo, Changuyi and Rumba made it very popular all around the world.
Flamenco - This famous Spanish dance originated from the region of Andalusia, and it gained its name only in 18th century. Its magical, passionate and
energetic fusion of singing (cante), guitar playing (toque), dance and handclaps (palmas) made it famous in entire world and became one of the accepted
heritages of entire humanity.
Argentine tango - Among many types of tango dance, Argentinian dance strives to preserve original form of tango that was first created in the region of Rio de
la Plata.
Lambada - This famous dance that originated from Para, Brayil became internationally popular during 1980s. It managed to successfully fuse aspects of Forro,
salsa, merengue, maxixe and the carimbó into unforgettable dance style.
Polka - Appearance of polka in mid-19th century created one of the largest "dance crazes" that our world ever seen. It managed to influence countless other
dances, became national dance of many European countries and is extremely popular in entire Western hemisphere.
Jive
East Coast Swing - Swing dance has many variations, of which one of the most popular is the East Coast Swing. This social partner dance is known today under
names of Eastern Swing, Jitterbug, American Swing, East Coast Lindy and Lindy originated between the 1940s and 1960s as the alternative to the other types of
harder-to-learn swing dances.
Capoeira - Capoeira dance is a unique dance that can be found in the combat moves of the Afro-Brazilian martial art of the same name that takes heavy
inspiration from music, dance, and acrobatics. Practitioners of this martial art are famous for being highly athletic dancers who can take advantage of dance-
like moves to perform quick and complex maneuvers that can deliver a wide variety of kicks, spins, jumps and other techniques used in combat. Today,
Capoeira is famous as one of the most celebrated cultural heritages of Brazil and South America.
Country/ Western Dances - - The country dance style is a social dance activity that is closely associated with American country and its Western traditions. It is
made not from a single dance but encompasses many forms and styles of dance that can be performed to country-western music. No matter the type of music
style or dance type, Country dance gatherings employ strong dancefloor etiquette and even ability to perform multiple dances styles on a dance floor at the
single time.
Folk Dance - Folk dances represent musical, cultural heritage, reflections of daily life or ethnic history of people who live in a certain region or country. Popular
all around the world in hundreds of unique variations and styles, folk dances (also known as traditional or ethnic dances) are usually performed at dance
gatherings with the accompaniment of traditional music of the region. Majority of folk dances are not regulated, and they slowly morph during the passage of
time.
Belly dance - Belly dance is one of the most famous oriental folk dances in the world. It is an expressive form dance that originated from Egypt, and it
emphasizes the complex movement of the torso and entire body utilizing sudden percussive movements, unstopping fluid body motions and presence of small
and fast shimmies, shivers and vibrations of the hips or the ribcage. Belly dance is regarded as very sensual, emotional and captivating.
Concert Dance - Concert dance (also known as stage dance) is any choreographed dance that is performed for an audience, usually at the theatre or an
organized gathering setting with the presence of set music. It is a polar opposite of social or participation dances, where participants can freely dance how and
when they wish. Most popular concert dances are Ballet, Acrobatic dance, tap dance, modern dance, classical Indian or Persian dances and others.
Modern Dance - Modern dance is an influential performance dance that originated as a reaction against the classical ballet and its movement style. Shaped by
many factors in late 19th and early to mid-20th century, modern dance evolved into a popular free dance style that includes elements of performance art,
release technique, improvisation and contact improvisation.
Tap Dance - Among many types of popular dances around the world, tap dance may be one of the most unusual dances. Instead of focusing on body
movements and dancing with a partner, tap dance is characterized by the creation of percussion-like musically-focused rhythm performance using tap shoes
striking on the floor in accordance with the dancing music.
Modern Dances
Advancements in music technology brought the birth of many new types of dances. Introduction of electronic and rock music brought the era of House, Punk,
Rave and Disco dance. Faraway country of India did not cared much for those styles, and in accordance to the deeply seeded religious beliefs, they incorporated
dance of their gods to everyday life and was and profitable Bollywood movie scene.
House dance - After the years of popularity of Disco, the genre of House music and house dance became born in New York and Chicago clubs. Built on top of
subtler rhythms, riffs of the music and influences of jazz, Latin, soul, funk, R&B, and many other music styles, this social dance quickly found its way into homes
and clubs across the entire world.
Punk dance - Born as an extension of 1960s garage rock, the punk rock managed to attract fans who enjoyed not traditional social dances of before, but more
energetic and sometimes violent dance style of moshing (sometimes called slam-dancing) and headbanging. This dance styles were characterized by the strong
and full body contact of live band audience, with frequent bumping and jostling both alone and in groups.
Rave dance - Fueled by the unending focus on pulsating beats, loud volume and psychedelic music effects, dancers of rave music are free to create their
freestyle of movements, with no rules about dance routines or synchronized moves, usually in dark and crowded venues of dance clubs, nightclubs, and
festivals. Dancers are encouraged to find inspiration in music, other people, and their mood.
Disco dance - The popular disco music genre of the 1970s would not found such popularity if it was not so easy to dance with. Fans of this music often wore
extravagant and sexy clothing while dancing free form or structured versions of various disco dances, such as Bump, (several variations of) Hustle, Robot,
Boogaloo, Watergate, and others.
Bollywood dance - The cultural history of India and the rest of southern Asia would not remain the same without the strong influence of Bollywood movie
industry which has promoted Hindi dance music to the world. Created as the mix of traditional Indian music, Hindi dance traditions of the Indian sub-continent,
and Middle-Eastern techniques, Bollywood dance is characterized by elaborate choreographies, energetic movements, and dances that involve a large number
of participants.
Current Trends
Current trends in modern dance focus less on interpretation and more on acrobatic and aerial movements in groups and with partners. Articulating crossover
dance styles by adding words, drama and illusion are the most current trends.