




-
The Slow Waltz
Waltz is one of the five dances of the "Standard" category of
the International Style ballroom dances. It was previously
referred to as Slow Waltz
-
The Foxtrot
Ballroom dance popular in Europe and America since its
introduction around 1914. Allegedly named for the comedian Harry
Fox, whose 1913 Ziegfeld Follies act included a trotting step,
the fox-trot developed less strenuous walking steps for its
ballroom version. The music, influenced by ragtime, is in 44
time with syncopated rhythm.
- The Tango
The present day ballroom tango is divided into two disciplines:
American Style and International Style. Both styles are enjoyed
as social and competitive dances, but the International version
is more globally accepted as a competitive style. Both styles
share a closed dance position, but the American style allows its
practitioners to separate from closed position to execute open
moves, like underarm turns, alternate hand holds, dancing apart,
and side-by-side choreography.
- The Quickstep
The Quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of the
Foxtrot, Charleston, Shag, Peabody, and One Step. This dance is
English in origin and was standardized in 1927. The Quickstep
now is quite separate from the Foxtrot. Unlike the modern
Foxtrot, the man often closes his feet, and syncopated steps are
regular occurrences as was the case in early Foxtrot. In some
ways, the dance patterns are close to the Waltz, but are danced
to 4/4 time rather than 3/4 time.