Types of Social Dances
1. Argentine Tango - a style of Tango which originated in the streets and
salons of Buenos Aires, characterized by its passionate hold and complex leg
and foot movements.
2. Bolero - A slow Latin dance which originated as a form of Rumba, and still
shares many of the same figures. Bolero differs from Rumba in its tempo and
style of music and movement.
3. Cha Cha - An exciting syncopated Latin dance which originated in the
1950’s a slowed down mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name and character
from its distinct repetitive foot rhythm.
4. East Coast Swing - A subset of Swing derived from Lindy Hop and
Jitterbug, making used of refined (American Style) ballroom technique.
5. Flamenco - A unique and passionate dance indigenous to Spain.
6. Foxtrot - A smooth dance introduced to the public in 1913 by Harry Fox,
noted for being the first dance to incorporate into the rhythm a combination
of slows and Quick’s. Foxtrot is characterized by smooth, walking- style
movements, but can be adapted to fit a variety of musical tempi and style, or
to fit onto small, crowded nightclub dance floors.
7. Hustle - A fast but smooth- moving dance which originated in the
nightclubs of the 1970’s disco era, as a modified version swing. Hustle is
noted for its fast and elaborate spins and turns, especially for the lady. It is
also very easily adapted to crowded, nightclub dance floors.
8. Lindy/ lindy Hop - The grandfather of all forms of Swing, named after
Charles Lindberg, and originating at the Savoy ballroom in the 1930’s as a
modified form of Charleston done in dance position. Lindy Hop is currently
enjoying a revival with a new generation of swing, clubs, musicians and
dancers.
9. Mambo - A fast Latin dance, similar to salsa, which comes from Cuba.
Mambo was brought to America in 1940’s and 50’s and eventually adapted as
an American style ballroom dance. Most of the movements emphasize the
second beat in the measure, suggestive of the clave rhythm which is
fundamental to Mambo music.
10. Merengue - An energetic Latin- style march which originated in the
Dominican Republic, which emphasizes a straight- ahead 8 count rhythm
taken with Cuban Motion. Meringue is now also a subset of the modern club-
style Salsa Dances
11. Paso Doble - A dramatic French- Spanish Flamenco- style march danced
in 2/4 time with man portraying the matador in a bullfight, the lady as His
cape. Paso Doble is usually danced to España Cani, the Spanish Gypsy Dance.
12. Quick step - an English style ballroom dance which is characterized by
fast movement often including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps and
chasses.
13. Rumba - A slow – to medium- tempo Latin American dance in 4/4 time
which is characterized by sensual, provocative movements and gestures,
Latin style hip motion, and playful and flirtatious interplay between man and
lady.
14. Tango -In the American and International ballroom styles, a dance in 2/4
time, which originated in Argentina and is characterized by catlike walking
action and staccato head movements.
15. Salsa - a popular Latin night club dance which evolved as a modified
form of Mambo.
16. Samba - a rhythmical Brazilian dance in 2/4 time which has been
adapted for modern Ballroom dancing and incorporated into the repertoire of
the International Standard syllabus. Samba is noted for its distinct style of
movement, which incorporates both Latin hip motion and the signature
“samba bounce”.
17. Swing Dances - group of dances including East Coast Swing, West Coast
Swing, Lindy Hop, and jitterbug, Jive, Balboa, Shag and Charleston.
18. Viennese waltz - is danced very fast and characterized by an almost
nonstop turning one of the difficult forms of Waltz to Learn.
19. Waltz - A ballroom style danced in ¾ time which was first developed in
Vienna as a fast paced dance to the Strauss music of the time.
20. West Coast Swing - a slotted swing dance in 4/4 time, characterized by
its smooth and linear style.
Prepared by:
Ms. Eliza C. Samia
