The History of the American Style
Smooth and Rhythm Dances

Foxtrot – Introduced in 1913 by vaudeville actor Harry Fox, this is the most popular American-style ballroom dance.  Foxtrot is a Smooth dance traveling around the line of dance in a counterclockwise direction and is a lot like walking or strolling.  Foxtrot is an extremely useful dance socially and can be danced to a variety of jazzy musical styles.  The basic beginner rhythm of Foxtrot is Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick.

Waltz – It appeared in Europe at the end of the 17th century. Known as the Volta in Italy, Volte in France, Weller in Germany, and Landler in Austria they were popular throughout Europe.  The mother of present day dances it grew in popularity in the 1830’s with the music of Johann Strauss, Franz Lanner, and Chopin.  First danced in America in 1834 it evolved by the 1920’s to three-quarter timing with strong accent on the first beat.  Popularly known as the “traditional American wedding dance,” the recurring, even beats of music send the dancers whirling around the floor enjoying the Waltz movement.  The basis for many dances, its styling characteristics include rise and fall, body sway, round movements, a pendulum action, and rotation, all of which make the Waltz elegant and beautiful.

Tango – Tango music originated from Argentine, Brazilian and Spanish influences. The earliest traces of the Tango date back to the latter half of the 19th century – to the Milonga, an Argentine folk dance. The dance was modified in to a ballroom dance by renowned ballroom dancers Verne and Irene Castle.  The American and International Styles are sensual, danced to slower, moodier music and is therefore very precise.  Tango has a flavor quite unlike any other dance.  The basic rhythm is an 8 count Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick-Slow.  It is a dance that is ironically both showy, yet very intimate.

Viennese Waltz – Is from the same root as the Waltz.  It is danced at a tempo of about 180 beats per minute and in competition has only a very limited range of figures.  The rapid pace and constant circling will make the novice dizzy at first, but with practice it is a lot of fun.  The nature of this dance requires both the leader and the follower to maintain a good frame.  It is a “Smooth Dance” so it travels counter-clockwise around the room at high speed.

Rumba – Most accounts say Rumba came from Cuba although versions existed elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean. |It is a blend of African and colonial Spanish culture.  Introduced to the U.S. in the 1920’s its popularity continued to grow through the 30’s and 40’s and was finally standardized as a ballroom dance in the mid – 1950’s.  Sometimes called the “dance of love,” Rumba is distinguished by its romantic feel.  A non-progressive dance perhaps its most important characteristic is the continuous, flowing Cuban Motion, which gives Rumba its sensual look.

Cha Cha – A Latin American dance derived from a version of the Mambo called Triple Mambo.  Introduced in to the U.S. in the early 1950’s.  Cha Cha is lively and fun.  A non-progressive dance, it emphasizes Cuban Motion and rhythm expressed throughout the body.

East Coast Swing – Traces its roots to the Lindy Hop, a dance based on the Charleston. Tamed and simplified by the dance schools in the 1940’s it became know as East Coast Swing in the 1970’s.  It is a fun, upbeat dance characterized by bounce, back break (rock step) and Swing Hip Motion, and is a non-progressive dance.

Bolero – Originally a Spanish dance with Moroccan roots; often called the “Cuban Dance of Love” it arrived in the U.S. in the 1930’s.  Bolero is a slow dance characterized by smooth, gliding movement, dramatic arm styling and a romantic feel.  Bolero is a mixture of three dances: Tango (contra body movement), Waltz (rise and fall) and Rumba (Cuban Motion and slow Latin music).

Mambo – Developed from the Cuban dance Danzon, introduced in to New York about 1947.  A fast and spicy dance characterized by strong Cuban Motion, staccato movement and expression of rhythm through the body.  The dancer holds on one and breaks on two.

Merengue – Originally from the Dominican Republic, it has a brisk rhythm, is noted for its Cuban Motion and also by its marching feeling; a different feeling from the flowing Cuban and Puerto Rican dances. 

West Coast Swing – Evolved from Lindy Hop, born in CA in the 1940’s, became known as West Coast Swing in 1959. Danced in a smooth (no bounce) style in a slot to a wide range of music including R&B, Country Western and Rock.

Samba – Originated on Brazilian plantations with the mixing of African rhythms and European music.  Introduced to the U.S. in the late 1920’s and became a couples ballroom dance in 1956.

The Social Dances

Salsa – The word Salsa means sauce, denoting a “hot” flavor, and is best distinguished from other Latin music styles by defining it as the New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians in New York.  The dance structure is largely associated with mambo type patterns and has a particular feeling that is associated mainly with the Clave and Montuno.

NightClub Two-Step – One of the most practical and versatile social dances ever conceived.  It is designed to be used with contemporary soft rock (“Love Song”) music.  The rhythm of the dance is very simple and rarely changes from the 1 |& 2 count.  This simple romantic dance fills a gap where no other ballroom dance fits.  It gives the dancer, either beginning or advanced, the opportunity to express and create without a rigid technique being required. It’s attractive, romantic, and a real asset to learn since it will be used often.

New York Hustle – Has its roots in Swing with most people dancing New York Style or Swing Hustle.  It is a fast, smooth dance, which is all about hands.  The lady spins almost continuously, while her partner draws her close and sends her away in a “slotted” linear formation.

Argentine Tango – Is a beautiful, simple language of improvisational social dance that has developed over the last century in the City of Buenos Aires.  |It is a true dance of leading and following.  Argentine Tango, with it’s dramatic character and use of leg and foot actions, uses slower music and is more of a spot dance, which makes it easier to dance on smaller floors.

Lindy Hop – Came about with the big band era and is danced to fast tempo swing. All Lindy steps are eight count patterns done in a circular fashion with a lot of kicks, flicks, hops, lifts and drops.  It’s been said this dance gained its name from Charles Lindbergh and his flight to the United States.

Dance etiquette is a set of guidelines that help us navigate the social dimensions of dancing.  It makes the difference between having a happy or unhappy dance experience and the difference between people wanting, or not wanting to dance with you.  If in doubt, always ask your instructor/coach for assistance.  Use these guidelines to improve your dance experience.

• Etiquette is here to ensure everyone has a good time in a social dance setting, so pay attention to dance etiquette.
• Your outfit and accessories should be comfortable, safe, and also reflect the culture and level of formality of the dance event/group.
• Ask everyone to dance.  Do not monopolize one partner for the whole night.
• Everybody starts out as a beginner! Today's beginners will be the good dancers of tomorrow, so be nice to them and dance with them.
• Either the man or woman may ask for a dance.
• Do not decline a dance, unless you absolutely have to.  Having declined a dance, do not dance the same song with someone else.
• Be considerate of other couples on the floor.  Exercise good floorcraft.  Do not cut other couples off.  Do not do aerials or choreographed routines on the social dance floor!
• When starting a dance, especially with someone you don't know, take it slow.  Everyone dances differently, so take your time and get to know the other person by starting off with less complex moves.
• It is beneficial to dance with people of all experience levels.  Dancing with more experienced dancers often helps you to improve.  Dancing with less experienced dancers is a prime opportunity for you to work on your lead/follow skills.
• Avoid patterns that your partner cannot do; dance to the level of your partner.
• Stationary dancers (e.g. Swing dancers) stay in the middle, traveling dancers (e.g. Foxtrot) move on the boundary along the line of dance.
• Never blame your partner for missteps.
• No unsolicited teaching on the floor!
• Punctuality is always important; for classes or social events.
• Personal oral and body hygiene is of utmost importance.  Use heavy perfumes, hair styling products, etc. sparingly.
• Do not deal with difficult people.  Ask your instructor/coach for assistance.
• Smile, be warm, be personable, and be nice.