Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom Dance
Ballroom dance is an international partner dance. The dance is a combination of different steps making up the Foxtrot, Waltz, and Tango. Ballroom is a social dance and a style of competition dance. This dance tradition began in the 1700s and today the young and old find enjoyment in this dance style (New World Encyclopedia, 2009). Traditionally, the couples dress in formal wear of the period. The graceful music and a large dance floor can turn a couple’s dance into a graceful art form.
The popularity of Ballroom dancing is growing because of film and stage performances. As the public sees the grace and elegance of this dance style, more people are finding dance organizations and studios that offer classes. The dance is almost sports like with movements and a performance of the fit. The Olympic Committee is adding Ballroom dance to the dance sport for the 2016 Olympics (New World Encyclopedia, 2009).
Historical Development
Ballroom dancing began in England during the Victorian Era (late 18th and early 19th century) as a form of dance for those in the upper class of society. Dancers usually participated in these dances at balls or parties, which is where the name ballroom dancing originates. The first true ballroom dance was the waltz, and were soon followed by other forms of dance such as polka. While the dances began as fairly simple routines, they would later evolve into more complicated steps as they became more socially acceptable.
As ballroom dancing became more popular during the 20th century, the routines evolved into steps that included more interaction between the two dancers, rather than simply recurring steps which were taken by both dancers. Ballroom dancing quickly took an even stronger grip on the United States when music became very popular, and during the early 20th century many ballroom dance techniques became the latest fad. In the 1920 's, many businesses began giving
Ballroom dance is an international partner dance. The dance is a combination of different steps making up the Foxtrot, Waltz, and Tango. Ballroom is a social dance and a style of competition dance. This dance tradition began in the 1700s and today the young and old find enjoyment in this dance style (New World Encyclopedia, 2009). Traditionally, the couples dress in formal wear of the period. The graceful music and a large dance floor can turn a couple’s dance into a graceful art form.
The popularity of Ballroom dancing is growing because of film and stage performances. As the public sees the grace and elegance of this dance style, more people are finding dance organizations and studios that offer classes. The dance is almost sports like with movements and a performance of the fit. The Olympic Committee is adding Ballroom dance to the dance sport for the 2016 Olympics (New World Encyclopedia, 2009).
Historical Development
Ballroom dancing began in England during the Victorian Era (late 18th and early 19th century) as a form of dance for those in the upper class of society. Dancers usually participated in these dances at balls or parties, which is where the name ballroom dancing originates. The first true ballroom dance was the waltz, and were soon followed by other forms of dance such as polka. While the dances began as fairly simple routines, they would later evolve into more complicated steps as they became more socially acceptable.
As ballroom dancing became more popular during the 20th century, the routines evolved into steps that included more interaction between the two dancers, rather than simply recurring steps which were taken by both dancers. Ballroom dancing quickly took an even stronger grip on the United States when music became very popular, and during the early 20th century many ballroom dance techniques became the latest fad. In the 1920 's, many businesses began giving
References: Americas Ballroom Challenge (2008). The Competition. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ballroomchallenge/competition-dances.html Moves, 1999, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from http://www.savoystyle.com/african.html Hurley, Terry (2008). History of Social Dance. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from http://dance.lovetoknow.com/History_of_Social_Dance Mote, A. (2000-2009). Ballroom Dancing History. Buzzle.com. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ballroom-dancing-history.html New World Encyclopedia (2009). Ballroom dance. Retrieved July 3, 2010 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ballroom_dance#History Sporre, Dennis (2009). Preceiving the Arts. An Introduction to the Humanities. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey The Internet Movie Database (1939). The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved July 4, 2010 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031983/.