Author: dancing22duo

Bolero

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Bolero is a slow, graceful and romantic Latin dance characterized by gliding steps, large flowing arm movements, subtle hip motion and a close dance hold.

Bolero is a mixture of three different dances: rumba, waltz (rise and fall), and tango (contra body movement).

Athough bolero and rumba are similar and share many figures in common, bolero differs from rumba in its slower tempo and large grander style of movement.

Bolero is danced to the slowest tempo of rumba rhythms, between 96 to 120 beats per minute. The music for Bolero is written in 4/4 time and is counted slow-quick-quick (SQQ).

Examples of Bolero songs:

  • Jose Feliciano- Senor Bolero
  • Celine Dion- My Heart Will Go On
  • Jennifer Lopez- Should’a Never
  • Amy Grant- I Will Remember You
  • Diana Ross, Lionel Richie- Endless Love

The very slow large side step and rise and fall, which is accomplished through the body and leg rather than the feet and ankles, requires a dancer of Bolero to have good control and balance to execute steps smoothly.

Bolero History:

Bolero has its roots in Spain and Cuba and in two forms of Rumba – Bolero rumba and son rumba. In Cuba bolero music was composed with a slower rhythm than the rumba. Bolero soon became popular throughout Mexico and Latin America and then arrived in the United States by the late 1920s to early 1930s. It eventually became one of the American Latin style competition dances.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Bolero Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Cha Cha

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Sometimes known as “Cha Cha Cha”, the Cha Cha is a playful energetic Latin dance that is very popular and fun to learn. The Cha Cha’s lively moves and music will get you moving on the dance floor and burn calories in the process.

Cha Cha is characterized by quick sharp steps, rib cage isolations, and Cuban hip motion. Cuban hip motion is a rolling action of the hips resulting from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. It is a compact dance taking up little floor space.

Although Cha Cha has traditionally been danced to Latin music, much of today’s music has a great beat for Cha Cha and includes many types of music such as pop, R&B, country, funk and beach music.

It is danced to music with a tempo of 110 to 130 beats per minute. Cha Cha is danced in 4/4 time and is comprised of a triple step with a rock step after each triple step. The Cha Cha rhythm is “1,2,3,4,&.” The fourth beat is split in two (4, &) so five steps are danced in four beats of music.

Examples of Cha Cha songs

  • Marc Anthony- I Need to Know
  • Santana- Smooth
  • Jessica Joy- Chilly Cha Cha
  • Earth, Wind, & Fire- September
  • Santana- Oye Como Va

Cha Cha History

Cha Cha evolved in Cuba from a similar dance, the mambo. Havana Cuba was a hotspot for the wealthy, mobsters, and movie stars in the 1940s and 1950s where casinos, nightclubs and music flourished. Cuban bands played music that gave rise to the mambo which later evolved into the Cha Cha. The two dances are very similar except the Cha Cha has a triple step before and after the break step (or rock step).

Cha cha made its way to the United States in the 1950s and soon became a dance craze. People were so eager to learn the Cha Cha that its popularity spread through the country and overseas. In the 1960s Cha Cha evolved into a more formalized dance style that became part of Latin American Dancing.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Cha Cha Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Foxtrot

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Foxtrot is a smooth slow dance that has a gentle lilt characterized by lovely gliding steps with a touch of suave movement to it. It can be danced to certain jazzy type songs, swing type songs, or some of the classic Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin songs, and many songs by Michael Buble’. 

It moves counter clockwise around the room and is a popular dance that quickly fills the dance floor. Foxtrot is a smooth sophisticated dance in which dancers move in a counter clockwise direction around the floor. Foxtrot also has a gentle lilt or rise and fall. Picture Fred and Ginger as they glided effortlessly around a dance floor together.

Foxtrot is most often danced to big band music and swing music, but can be danced to many types of music. It is typically danced to music written in 4/4 time, with a tempo around 120 to 136 beats per minute.

The basic step in foxtrot is counted slow-slow-quick-quick (SSQQ). The more advanced foxtrot dance pattern is counted slow-quick-quick (SQQ).

Examples of Fox Trot music:

  • Sinatra- The Way You Look Tonight
  • Patti Page- I Can’t Get Started With You
  • Sarah Vaugh- Summertime
  • Bobby Darin- Fly Me To the Moon
  • Dean Martin- Call Me Irresponsible

Foxtrot History

In 1914, Vaudeville actor Arthur Carringford, who went by the name Harry Fox, originated the dance Carringford, danced at the New York Theater. Once he was dancing to some rag time music and started trotting his dance steps, and the foxtrot was born. Onlookers thought the dance was one of the most original and exciting of its time and referred to it as “Fox’s Trot.” Over the years it evolved like many dances do to the various forms we see today!

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Foxtrot Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

East Coast Swing

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The swing is one of the most popular American dances and is a true American dance.

East Coast Swing is an energetic upbeat dance characterized by a bounce and a swinging of the hips from one side to the other. It includes a vast array of moves, kicks, flips and playful moves.

Swing refers to a number of dances with single, double and triple time rhythms such as the Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Jive, Shag, the Charleston, etc.

East Coast Swing dance is a 6-count dance that evolved from the Lindy Hop in the 1930’s. All swing is danced in a compact area.

East coast swing music is written in 4/4 time and can be danced to many tempos and styles of music such as jazz, pop, big band, blues, rock-n-roll, country, R&B, and funk. This makes east coast swing a practical and versatile dance to learn.

Music for East Coast Swing:

  • Marvin Gay- How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You
  • The Swing Cats- Good Rockin’ Daddy
  • Bob Seger- Old Time Rock n Roll
  • Meghan Trainor- All About That Bass
  • Bonnie Raitt- Thing Called Love

East Coast Swing History

Swing dance came out of the New York City club scene of the 1920s and 1930s when jazz bands proliferated in nightclubs and dance halls. With jazz influences from bandleader Benny Goodman and Hollywood movies highlighting the new dance craze, America was hooked on the lively music and swing dancing. By the 1950s, east coast swing was part of the American dance scene.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about East Coast Swing Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Hustle

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Hustle, also called disco, is an energetic, easy and exhilarating dance that is great fun to learn.

It is characterized by spins, turns, wraps, and arm styling for the lady.

Hustle has a basic rhythm of 4 steps that are counted &1 2 3 in which the “& 1” is a syncopated rock step (2 steps on 1 beat of music). This is the “3 count Hustle .” Many people find the “4 count hustle” easier to learn because each step is on one beat of music; therefore 4 count is a little slower.

Hustle can be danced to a variety of music, but is characteristically very upbeat and lively.

Examples of Hustle music

  • Barry White- Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe
  • The Bee Gees- You Should Be Dancing
  • Cher- One By One
  • Jennifer Hudson- Spotlight
  • Rick AstleyTogether Forever

Hustle History

Hustle is a dance that grew up during the 1970s in dance clubs in New York City and spread through the country following the release of the blockbuster film, Saturday Night Fever. As the popularity of Hustle grew, it evolved and changed with influences from other types of dances. Hustle was primarily a slot dance in which the lady moved down the slot, or track, and the leader moved off the slot while the lady did walks, turns, spins, etc.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Hustle Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Mambo

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Mambo is a high energy, flirtatious Latin dance. It is a compact dance requiring little space on the dance floor.

Like other Latin dances, mambo is characterized by Cuban hip motion, which is a rolling action of the hips in a figure eight movement resulting from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees.

It is very similar to Cha Cha except that Mambo does not have a triple step before and after each rock step (or break step) but instead has a slow beat (2 beats of music) during which the dancer does not change weight.

The music for mambo is written in 4/4 time and typically danced to fast tempo Latin music. The count for mambo is 2 3 4 (1) indicating that the dancer does not step on count 1, but steps forward or backward on 2 for a rock step or break step.

Music for Mambo

  • Lou Bega- Mambo No. 5
  • Barry Manilow- Hey Mambo
  • Beyonce- Single Ladies
  • Michael Buble- Comin’ Home Baby
  • Tito Puente- Ran Kan Kan

Mambo History

The Mambo originated from Cuba as a combination between American Swing/Jazz and Cuban music. The Mambo dance is attributed to Perez Prado who introduced it at La Tropicana night-club in Havana in 1943. Mambo is enjoyed throughout the world at both the social and competitive dance levels. The Mambo is a favorite of dancers due to its high energy level and infectious rhythms.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Mambo Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Merengue

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Merengue is an energetic and festive but simple Latin dance to learn, which is a great dance for beginners to learn. It is popular in Latin nightclubs, on cruises, in the Caribbean and in social dance venues.

The contemporary style of Merengue involves a marching type step as well as Cuban hip motion. Merengue steps move side to side, forward, backward and in circular patterns. Many patterns from other dances are easily been incorporated into Merengue. The simplicity of Merengue allows for a lot of freedom in creating patterns on the floor.

Merengue music is vibrant, lively with an infectious beat and is counted 1,2,1,2 or 1,2,3,4, often in 4/4 timing.

Popular Merengue Music

  • Proyecto Uno- El Tiburón
  • Sergio Vargas- La ventanita
  • La Makina- No Me Digas Que No
  • Grupo Manía- Como Baila
  • Fulanito- Guallando

Merengue History

Merengue’s roots are thought to be in the Caribbean, eventually becoming the national dance for the Dominican Republic. Merengue made its way to the United States in the 1940s and steadily became popular with dance studios and dance clubs in the 1970s. Like many dances that came to the United States, the style and steps evolved over time.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Merengue Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Nightclub 2 Step

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Nightclub 2 Step can be danced to songs that no other ballroom dance fits. It can be danced to many types of music, from country, pop, Latin, and is a very versatile and practical dance to learn.

Nightclub 2 Step is danced to medium tempo music and is characterized by a long side step, followed by a rock step (or break step) and another side step and rock step.

Dance instructors vary in how the Nightclub 2 Step should be started, with either a rock step or a side step. In San Diego, the side step became the most popular form which became the standard in country western competitions. Some dancers prefer to start with a rock step, which has no effect on the dance itself.

It is danced using a slow-quick-quick rhythm or quick-quick-slow.

Nightclub 2 Step Music (Varies!)

  • Chris De Burgh – Lady In Red
  • Keith Urban – Tonight I Wanna Cry
  • Adele – Lovesong
  • Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance 
  • Shania Twain – You’re Still The One

Nightclub 2 Step History

Nightclub 2 Step was created in the mid 1970s by Buddy Schwimmer. You may have seen his son, Benji, who performed on one of the early seasons of the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. Nightclub 2 Step grew in popularity until it became a standard dance in country western circles and competitions.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Nightclub 2 Step Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Rumba

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Rumba is a very popular and versatile dance and is a great dance for beginners to learn. Rumba is often considered to be one of the most romantic of dances, often called the dance of love. It is a slow Latin dance that emphasizes the chemistry and intense energy between the partners. Rumba highlights body movements, rib cage isolations and Cuban hip action which is created from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees.

The basic Rumba step is a box, which is a common step in many dances. Many of American rumba’s dance steps are similar to cha-cha steps. As with most Latin dances, it is danced in one spot on the dance floor.

The tempo for Rumba music is usually about 108 to 140 beats per minute and the music has a steady 4/4 beat. The rhythm for rumba is slow- quick-quick or quick-quick-slow. Because the rumba rhythm is common in many contemporary songs, the types of music that rumba can be danced to are quite varied, from Latin and pop, to blues, jazz and country. Even many songs that do not have the strong percussion sounds of Cuban music, work very well for dancing Rumba.

Examples of rumba music:

  • Elton John- Blessed
  • Maroon 5- She Will Be Loved
  • Alabama- Dancing on the Boulevard
  • The Bee Gees-How Deep is Your Love
  • Ricky Martin-Nobody Wants to Be Lonely

Rumba History

Rumba evolved from “Son” and “Danzon” which comes from Cuba with African influences. It incorporated small steps and Cuban hip motion accomplished through alternate bending of the knees. “Son” was introduced in the United States in 1913, 1923 and 1925 without success. It was renamed “Rumba” and popularized in the late 1920s when a famous band leader began writing rumba music. This was followed by the film industry’s inclusion of the new rumba dance in a 1930 film, which sealed rumba’s success as a hit in the U.S.. Rumba was introduced in Europe as well and by the mid 1950s, it had become a ballroom dance.

There are two main styles of Rumba, American and International. The main difference between the two is that American Rumba involves Cuban motion created by stepping on a bent knee then straightening the leg whereas International rumba requires stepping on to a straight leg. International Rumba is also danced to slower music.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Rumba Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Salsa

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Salsa is an energetic, festive, and fun Latin dance, very similar to mambo. It is characterized by small steps, fast moves, turns, spins, and Cuban hip motion.

Salsa has break steps forward and back with a slow beat in between in which there is no weight change. It is a compact dance so is great for a crowded dance floor.

Just as Salsa music developed from multiple cultures, Salsa dancing likewise developed from a fusion of dances, especially from Cuba. Some even claim that Salsa is a product of New York.

In the last half of the 20th century, Salsa took the world by storm and increased in popularity to become one of the most favorite of Latin dances, eventually making it to the competition scene. As it made its way across the United States, different regions added their own flavor and distinctive style to Salsa so it evolved. In New York, where the hustle (or disco) was big in the 1970s, hustle moves were incorporated into the Salsa lending a New York distinctive to their Salsa.

Popular Salsa Music

  • Marc Anthony- Vivir Mi Vida
  • La Sonora Ponceña- Fuego En El 23
  • Ray Barretto- Indestructible
  • Celia Cruz- Quimbara
  • Rubén Blades- Plastico 

Salsa History

Salsa music grew out of a mixture of musicians from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America who visited New York, performed there and collaborated bringing their own sounds and incorporating the jazz sounds of New York. Cuban musicians played a large role during the 1940s and 1950s in the development of the music until Cuba was essentially closed down when Fidel Castro came to power. Puerto Ricans then filled the gap with their musical influences.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Salsa Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Samba

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Samba is a high energy, rhythmical Latin dance reminiscent of the Brazilian Carnival celebrations.

It has its roots in African and Brazilian music and culture where there are many styles of samba, including a style as a solo dance. However, the samba danced in Brazil is very different from the samba which became a ballroom dance in the 1930s.

Samba is characterized by a vertical bounce action, which is challenging to learn, but which gives samba a unique feel and look. Those who dance samba are challenged to make this action appear effortless and carefree. The bounce action in samba is quite difficult to master and not recommended for the beginner dancer.

Samba is danced to music with a tempo of about 100 beats per minute and is written in 2/4 or 4/4 time.

Examples of Samba songs:

  • Madonna- La Isla Bonita
  • Gal Costa – Aquarela do Brasil
  • Demônios da Garoa – Trem das Onze.
  • Beth Carvalho – Vou Festejar.
  • Bezerra da Silva – Malandro é Malandro e Mané é Mané

Samba History

Samba is a style of dance and music from Brazil. It developed from a complex mix of influences including West African slaves brought to Bahia, a region in Brazil, by Portuguese traders. The dance and drumming customs of these enslaved people eventually developed into Samba.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Samba Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Tango

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Tango is very dramatic, powerful and romantic, reflecting the interplay between man and woman. It is mostly danced with bent knees, staccato steps, sharp movements and dramatic head snaps. Other common features of tango include fans, flicks, and lunges.

Tango is a progressive smooth dance that is danced counterclockwise around the floor. Tango differs from other smooth dances in that there is less flow, gliding and continuity of movement than in other smooth dances in part resulting from the staccato footwork, creating a stalking cat-like movement.

There are several popular styles today – International, American and Argentine tango.

Tango music you’ve heard in movies:

  • John Williams- Scent of a Woman
  • Queen Latifa- Cell Block Tango (Chicago)
  • John Powell- Assassin’s Tango (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
  • Jacek Koman- El tango de Roxanne (Moulin Rouge)
  • Lucas Gitano Family- Spanish Tango (The Mask of Zorro)

Tango History

This dance originated in working class Buenoa Aires, Argentina, moved through Europe in the 1900s and then to the United States and quickly became popular. As with many dances, tango evolved into different styles and was standardized for competitions. There are several popular styles today – International, American and Argentine tango.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Tango Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

Waltz

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Waltz is a very elegant and glamorous smooth dance, a favorite among many dancers. Waltz is characterized by graceful fluid movements progressing around the floor interspersed with a variety of turns, spins and pivots.

A distinctive element of the waltz is the rise and fall, which is created by flexing and bending the knees with a lowering of the body followed by straightening the knees and rising up onto the toes.

Waltz progresses counter-clockwise around the dance floor and when large gliding steps are taken, can cover a lot of the dance floor.

Waltz dance music is written in 3/4 time and is counted 1 2 3, 1 2 3. Each beat is a quick, or one beat of music. Many people find waltz music to be beautiful, creating an ambiance that compels them dance and glide around the floor.

 Examples of Waltz music:

  • Curtis Stigers- I Wonder Why
  • Dee C Lee- See The Day
  • Pink Martini- What’ll I Do
  • John Denver- Today
  • Simply Red- If You Don’t Know Me By Now

WALTZ HISTORY
Based on basic techniques originating during the 1920s, the Waltz has continued to develop throughout the 20th century. The Waltz was born as an Austro-German folk dance known as the Landler, which was characterized by the rotating movements of partners dancing together. The music of Johann Strauss helped to popularize the Waltz.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about Waltz Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!

West Coast Swing

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West Coast Swing is a smooth and playful dance, with no bounce like its swing relatives. It is also typically danced to slower music (around 90 to 130 beats per minute) than East Coast Swing, but advanced West Coast Swing dancers will often dance to faster tempos.

West Coast Swing is danced in a slot with the lady going up and down the slot as the man goes from one side to the other leading her in turns, spins, walks, whips, tucks and passes. This slotted movement allows for the characteristic expansion and contractions in the movements of West Coast Swing which creates a sense of stretching away from each other and then coming back together.

West Coast Swing is a dance that allows a maximum of freedom of expression and improvisation between the partners, typically seen at the higher levels. Because of these characteristics, West Coast Swing is not one of the easiest dances for a beginner dancer to learn.

West Coast Swing can be danced to a wide variety of music genres such as pop, rock, country western, jazz, funk, R&B, and has a wide range of tempos from 100 to 130 beat per minute. The music for west coast swing is written in 4/4 time and for the basic step, is composed of 2 walking steps and 2 triple steps.

Popular West Coast Swing Music

  • Alannah Myles- Black Velvet
  • U2- Angel of Harlem
  • Michael Bublé- Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)
  • Marvin Gaye- Heard it Through the Grapevine
  • En Vogue – Beat Of Love

West Coast Swing History

West Coast Swing is one of the many dances that evolved from swing. It was created in the 1950s in Los Angeles as a smoother Lindy Hop style of swing, danced to slower music. West Coast Swing continued to evolve, grow in popularity and spread around the country and eventually around the world. Even today, west coast swing is an evolving and changing dance to accommodate contemporary music and individual and regional styles.

Contact The Dancing Duo today about West Coast Swing Lessons! Also check our calendar to see if this is currently being taught!