Partner Dances Socially Competitively Performance Entertainment Stage Film Television

Lesson 3: Health Optimizing Physical Education III
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 is also widely enjoyed
on stage, film, and television.
- Ballroom dance may refer, at its widest definition, to almost any type of partner dancing as
recreation.
- The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball which in turn originates from the Latin
word ballare which means 'to dance'.
Types of Ballroom Dances
Waltz
- Began as a country folk dance in Austria and Bavaria in the 1600s. In the early 1800s it was
introduced in England. It was the first dance where a man held a woman close to his body. When
performing the dance the upper body is kept to the left throughout all figures, woman's body
leaves the right side of the man while the head is extended to follow the elbow. Figures with
rotation have little rise. Sway is also used on the second step to make the step longer and also to
slow down the momentum by bring feet together. Waltz is performed for both International
Standard and American Smooth.
Tango
- Originated in Buenos Aires in the late 1800s. Modern Argentine tango is danced in both open
and closed embraces which focuses on the male leader and the women moving in harmony of
the tango’s passionate charging music. The tango’s technique is like walking to the music while
keeping feet grounded and allowing ankles and knees to brush against one another during each
step taken. Body weight is kept over the toes and the connection is held between the man and
women in the hips. Argentine tango is performed for both International Standard and American
Smooth.
Foxtrot
- Is a true American dance, credited by a vaudeville performer Harry Fox in 1914. Fox was rapidly
trotting step to ragtime music (an original form of jazz). The dance was originally named as the
“Fox’s trot”. The foxtrot can be danced at slow, medium, or fast tempos depending on the speed
of the jazz or big band music. The partners are facing one another and frame rotates from one
side to another, changing direction after a measure. The dance is flat, with no rise and fall like
the waltz. The walking steps are taken as slow for the two beats per steps and quick for one beat
per step. Foxtrot is performed for both International Standard and American Smooth.
Samba
- Is the national dance of Brazil. The rhythm of samba and its name originated from West African
slaves. In 1905, samba became known to the rest of the countries during an exhibition in Paris.
Eventually in 1940s, samba was introduced in America due to a movie star named Carmen
Miranda. The modern ballroom samba dance differs compared to the traditional Brazilian samba
as it was modified as a partner dance. Samba is danced with a slight bounce which is created
through the bending and straightening the knee. Samba is performed as an International Latin
dance.
Cha – Cha
- Was originally called the “cha-cha-cha.” The term came from Haiti and resembled the sound the
bells made when rubbed. It was evolved from the rumba and mambo in the 1950s. Since mambo
music was quite fast and difficult for some to dance to, a Cuban composer Enrique Jorrin slowed
the music down and cha-cha was established. Cha-cha is a very flirtatious dance with many hip
rotations and partners synchronizing their movements. The dance includes bending and
straightening of the knee giving it a touch of Cuban motion. Cha-cha is performed for both
International Latin and American Rhythm.
Rumba
- Is known to be the most romantic and passionate of all dances. In the early 1920s, the dance
came to the United States from Cuba and became a popular cabaret dance during prohibition.
Rumba is very polyrhythmic and complex. It includes Cuban motions through knee-
strengthening, figure- eight hip rotation and swiveling foot action. An important characteristic of
rumba is the powerful and direct lead achieved through the ball of the foot. Rumba is performed
for both International Latin and American Rhythm.
Paso Doble
- Originated from France and its dramatic bullfights. The dance is mostly performed only in
competitions and rarely socially due to many choreographic rules. The man plays the role of the
matador while the women take the role of the matador’s cape, the bull, or even the matador too.
The chassez cape refers to the man using the woman to turn her as if she is the cape and the
apel is when man stomps his foot to get the bull's attention. Paso double is performed as an
International Latin dance.
Jive
- Is part of the swing dance group and is a very lively variation of the jitterbug. Jive originated
from African American clubs in the early 1940s. During World War II, American soldiers
introduced the jive in England where it was adapted to today's competitive jive.In jive, the male
leads the dance while the women encourage the men to ask them to dance. It is danced to big
band music and some technique is taken from salsa, swing and tango. Jive is performed as an
International Latin dance.
Mambo
- Originated from Cuba but the name came from Haiti. Mambo music was first written in late 1930s
by a Cuban composer. Eventually in the late 1940s, a musician named Perez Prado invented a
dance mambo. Perez introduced the dance from Havana to Mexico, and making its way up to
New York. Mambo is performed as an American smooth dance.
Prepared by: Albert C. Balagtas

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Lesson 3: Health Optimizing Physical Education III

Types of Ballroom Dances

Prepared by: Albert C. Balagtas

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