BALLROOM – ballroom dancing is a world class, tradition, and passion.
- Ball is derived from the Latin word “ballare” which means “to dance”.
- originated in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in which
these dances, such as the waltz, were performed by the upper and elite
classes of society in balls and parties.
- Modern ballroom dancing comprises of the “International” and
“American” dance styles that are not only performed in social gatherings
but in competitions as well.
- In legitimate Dance Sport competitions and in social events, there are
five standard dances: the Modern and the Viennese Waltz, the Tango,
the Slow Foxtrot and the Quickstep.
History of Latin Dances
- The traditional program of Latin Ballroom Dances, adopted by the World
Dance Sport Federation, since 1930 includes five dances in the Latin
American section. These are Samba, Rumba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Paso
Doble and Jive (United States origins).
- All of them are performed in a pair, a man, and a woman and, unlike the
European dances, the partners during the performance can either
separate the contact, or cling to each other very closely.
- All Latin American dances are rhythmic and emotional, and some of
them are particularly sensual.
- The other large group of Latin dances is so-called Social (or ”club”
Latina) includes Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Reggaeton, Mambo,
Kizomba, Zouk and Argentine tango.
CHA CHA CHA
Beat: 4/4.
Temp: 30-32 measures per minute.
Count: "2-3-cha-cha-cha" / “2-3-4-and-1” or "1-2-3-cha-cha" and other variations.
Danced competitively since: 1952.
- Follower starts with right foot backward. Leader starts with left foot
forward.
- The name could have been derived from:
the Spanish 'Chacha' meaning “nursemaid”,
or “chachar” meaning “to chew coca leaves”,
or from 'char' meaning "tea',
or most likely from the fast and cheerful Cuban dance: the
Guaracha.
- has been popular in Europe from before the turn of the century. The
cha-cha-cha, or simply cha-cha, is a dance of Cuban origin performed
to the music of the same name.
- It was originally introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique
Jorrín during the 1950s.
- While Cha-cha-chá can be danced to authentic Cuban music,
competitions it is often danced to Latin Pop or Latin Rock in ballroom
competitions.
Focus on these variations:
1. Basic walks/side ways 8. Cuban breaks
2. New yorker 9. Swivels
3. Hand to hand 10. Shoulder to shoulder
4. In place 11. There and back
5. Spot turn 12. Time step
6. Lock step 13. Runs
7. Spirals / underarm turn 14. Cucaracha and turn
RUMBA
Beat: 4/4.
Temp: 25-27 measures per minute.
Count: "(1 -) 2 - 3 - 4", "slow - quick" and other variations.
- Developed around 1913.
- There are two sources of the dances: one Spanish and the other
African.
- Although the main growth was in Cuba, there were similar dance
developments which took place in other Caribbean islands and in Latin
America generally.
- The "rumba influence" came in the 16th century with the black slaves
imported from Africa.
- The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced
extremely fast with exaggerated hip movements and with a sensually
aggressive attitude on the part of the man and a defensive attitude on
the part of the woman.
- The music is played with a staccato beat in keeping with the vigorous
expressive movements of the dancers. Accompanying instruments
include the maracas, the claves, the marimbula, and the drums.
Focus on these variations:
1. Rumba walks 7. Hand to hand
2. Rumba basic 8. Natural top
3. Underarm turn 9. Cucaracha/Curacha
4. Side step 10. Cuban breaks
5. New yorker 11. Alemana and Underarm turn
6. Opening out 12. AIDA
SAMBA
Beat: 2/4.
Temp: 50-52 measures per minute.
Count: "1 - (a) - 2", "slow - quick " and other variations.
- Danced competitively since 1956.
- Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and is the birth place of
the Samba. Much of the music in the heavily populated coastal areas
shows a remarkable combination of African, Native Indian, and Iberian
influences.
- Modern Samba was developed from an earlier Brazilian musical style
called Choro.
Focus on these variations:
* Samba basic * Side samba
* Samba whisk * Criss cross samba
* Stationary samba * Criss cross Bota Fogo
* Volta * Cruzados
* Bota Fogo * Batucada
* Promenade walk * Corta Jacas
JIVE
Beat: 4/4.
Temp: 42-44 MPM.
Count: "1-2", "1-a-2", "1-2-3-4" and other combinations.
- Developed around 1927.
- The origins of the word "jive" are unknown. It may refer to "jive talk"
or badmouthing. This word reflects the character of the dance. It is
sassy and loud.
- The first hints of Jive came from African-American slaves.
- Jive's correct name is Jitterbug Jive. It is named after a 30's Mickey
Mouse cartoon where Mickey and Minnie danced a country style
Jitterbug.
- In the 1880's, the dance was performed competitively amongst the
Negroes in the South, and the prize was frequently a cake, so the
dance became known as the Cake Walk.
Focus on these variations:
1. Jive basic 7. Change place from right to left
2. Fallaway rock 8. American spin
3. Fallaway throwaway 9. Mooch
4. Hip bump 10. Chicken walk
5. Change of hand 11. Jive kicks
6. Change place from left to right
References:
https://www.dancepassionfl.com/origin-of-ballroom-dances/
https://www.absolutedance.co.za/history/
https://www.imperial.dance/international-cha-cha#:~:text=The%20cha%2Dcha%2Dcha%2C,shuffling
%20of%20the%20dancers'%20feet.
https://dancehistory.trueillusion.bg/l_chacha_en.html
https://dancehistory.trueillusion.bg/l_rumba_en.html
https://dancehistory.trueillusion.bg/l_samba_en.html
https://dancehistory.trueillusion.bg/l_jive_en.html
Prepared by:
ANNA LAURICE M. PINOC
PE Instructor 1
Division of Humanities
