SMOOTH CATEGORY
The quickstep is lively and energetic, characterized by fast movements,
including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps, and chasses. An
experienced dancer may employ frequent changes in rhythm and pattern. Note
this dance is not for beginners; the basic elements of foxtrot or waltz
should be mastered first.
The tango is considered one of the most passionate of the ballroom
dances and involves both couples to be held in close contact at all
times. It can be stately or involve quick, sharp movements to contrast
the slower music. Originally danced by Argentine Gauchos around the
campfire, it traveled first to Paris where it was initially considered
"risque" in contrast to the more stately waltz which was danced
socially at the time.
Recently, tango found its way to the America via the movies such as "True
Lies" and "Scent of a Woman". American tango is danced to strict eight
counts and is danced in competitions, whereas Argentine tango is free form
with many changes in tempo and more of a social dance. Beginners can learn
the steps of either tango immediately.
This dance was developed in Cuba from the influx of American influence
into the rumba. American GI's danced swing moves to rumba music that
was sped up, and the Cubans said they "danced like Mambos." A Mambo is
a voodoo priestess.
The mambo is the predecessor of cha cha, and many of the same steps in
the latter dance can be done to the mambo rhythm. Considered a little
more difficult than cha cha, mambo's timing somtimes confuses the
beginner. However, once learned, the mambo is a favorite of the dance
enthusiast. This dance is many times confused with the salsa, which is
indistinguishable with regard to steps.
Paso Doble is an infrequently seen dance that originated from Spain. The
movements of the man are symbolic of a matador (a bullfighter), and the
woman is his cape. This dance involves many stylized dramatic movements
and posturing and is one of the few dances where the male and female
partners do different moves. This dance is for advanced levels and is done
mostly for competitions.
East Coast swing (sometimes called the Jitterbug) is an American Folk dance originated in the 1940's and was popularized by Swing Bands and Jitterbug Contests. Variations of Swing include Lindy hop, jive, boogie-woogie, rock & roll and shag. Basic swing involves many turns and intricate hand movements, and advanced levels can involve throws and flips. It can be very athletic and "hoppy", or grounded and shuffling. There is renewed popularity of swing with the advent of the Swing Club at UGA.
An American dance created in the 1970's by Van McCoy, it was made popular by the film Saturday Night Fever. Hustle has had a tremendous impact upon the American dance public and still has a string following in the United States. This dance is very similar to the East Coast swing but is much faster. The possible moves are therefore more limited than the slower swing.
The lindy hop originated in Harlem in the late 1920s and is the original swing dance from which all other swing dances (east coast, west coast, jitterbug) evolved. The lindy hop begins with a syncopated two step that is followed by separate steps for each partner, including kicks and spins. It is more complex than east coast swing and is a better dance for intermediate dancers.
This dance originated in the Dominican Republic by combining African dance styles and perhaps a remnant of the times in which slaves were shackled together, thus restricting the movement of the feet. Merengue is danced with shuffling steps, and one can incorporate all the arm movements in the swing and salsa.
Polka originated as a folk dance in Bohemia and later versions spread throughout the world to become a ballroom craze in the mid-19th century. The Polka is a lively and rapid dance in 2/4 time. It is one of the most enjoyable and exhilarating dances you will ever learn. The basic step is straightforward and is a food beginning dance.