Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively
around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance also
widely enjoyed on stage, film and television. A type of social dancing, originally practiced in
Europe and the United States, that is performed by couples and follows prescribed steps. The
tradition was historically distinguished from folk or country dance by its association with the
elite social classes and with invitational dance events. Often in the embrace of closed dance
position ("ballroom dance position"). These include waltz, swing, tango, salsa and blues.

The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball which in turn originates from the
Latin word ballare which means 'to dance' (a ball-room being a large room specially designed
for such dances). The social origin of ballroom dance lies in the European court dances of the
17th and 18th centuries, although many of the dance steps were adapted from folk traditions.
Initially, court dances were performed facing the throne, a practice known as “fronting the state,”
because it was unacceptable to turn one’s back on a ruler. As court etiquette relaxed in the 19th
century, however, dancers were required to face the ruler only on the most formal occasions or
when they were being presented to the court. Otherwise participants danced in circles or squares
throughout the ballroom. In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the privileged,
leaving folk dancing for the lower classes. In early 20th century, Modern ballroom dance has its
roots early in the 20th century, when several different things happened more or less at the same
time. The first was a movement away from the sequence dances towards dances where the
couples moved independently. This had been pre-figured by the waltz, which had already made
this transition. The second was a wave of popular music, such as jazz. Since dance is to a large
extent tied to music, this led to a burst of newly invented dances. There were many dance crazes
in the period 1910–1930. During the first half of the 19th century, most ballroom dances, such as
the polka and the waltz, were an integral component of social events known as assemblies
planned evenings for a limited group of invitees connected through family, neighbourhood, or
affiliation, such as a regiment or a hunting group. The structure of ballroom dance events
changed significantly during the later 19th century, particularly in terms of the structure of dance
events and styles performed, as well as the transmission of the tradition.

Ballroom dancing is a partnership dance where couples, using step-patterns, move

rhythmically, expressing the characteristics of music. Ballroom dancing consists of two
styles: the Smooth, or Standard, and the Rhythm, or Latin. The Smooth, Standard style
focuses on the elegance, grace and fluidity of movement. Dancers rotate in a counter -
clockwise direction, moving around the entire floor. The couple is constantly moving on the
dance floor, transitioning from one place to the next in a fixed pattern. The Foxtrot, Waltz,
Tango, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep are danced in this manner. The Rhythm, Latin style
focuses on a display of vibrant energy and a personal flair. The couple’s dancing pattern is
syncopated to the rhythm of the music. The couple usually dances in one spot of the dance
floor. Included in this style are the East Coast Swing, Jive, Rumba, Bolero, Cha Cha,
Mambo, Samba and Paso Doble. Popular dances, such as the Argentine Tango, Salsa,
Merengue, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bachata, Night Club 2-Step and County and Western
Dancing, are more recent additions to the world of Ballroom dance.

The three worlds of Ballroom Dances, first is For the first century of closed-couple dancing,
only the first category of ballroom dance existed: noncompetitive Social ballroom dance. This
was the 19th century, the age of the waltz and polka, when "ballroom dance" meant precisely
that – dancing in a ballroom. Second, Exhibition ballroom dance came next. Performative
social dance forms were occasionally staged in cabarets and Vaudeville at the end of the 19th
century, but the performance of social dances for an audience mostly took off in the 20th
century. And third, Competitive ballroom dance came last, growing out of the Sequence
Dancing movement in the working-class suburbs of London, where hundreds of dancers would
memorize choreographed waltzes like Arthur Morris' Veleta (1900). These expanded to include
sequenced one-steps, two-steps, tangos and foxtrots.
 Examples of a Ballroom Dances:

Waltz Tango Foxtrot

Most commonly thought-of dance when Ballroom tango can certainly be romantic, This is an all-American dance set to jazz music
someone mentions ballroom dancing sensual might be a better word to describe and can be fast or slow depending on the band.
this popular dance.

Viennese Waltz Quickstep Rumba

Recognized as the oldest of all ballroom dances. This dance is inspired by the foxtrot, but Consider the rumba to be the most
It is often referred to as the classic “old-school” it takes on a much quicker tempo, hence passionate and romantic dance on this list. It
ballroom. Known “English Slow Waltz” the name. is incredibly complex and involves many
different hip movements.
ACTIVITY: ABOUT BALLROOM DANCE

1. The ballroom dancing is derived from the word ball, which

originated from the latin word “ballare “ which means what?
2. What are the three worlds of a ballrrom dances?
3. What are the two styles of a ballroom dance?
4. Where was the social origin of the ballroom dance?
5. A ballroom dance is usually practiced in ________ and United
States.
6. What is the type of ballroom dance known as the oldest of all
ballroom dances?