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What is Ballroom Dancing? Ballroom dancing is a partnership dance where couples, using step-patterns, move rhythmically, expressing the characteristics of music. Ballroom dancing consists of two styles: the Smooth, or Standard, and the Rhythm, or Latin. The Smooth, Standard style focuses on the elegance, grace and fluidity of movement. Dancers rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, moving around the entire floor. The couple is constantly moving on the dance floor, transitioning from one place to the next in a fixed pattern. The Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep are danced in this manner.The Rhythm, Latin style focuses on a display of vibrant energy and a personal flair. The couple’s dancing pattern is syncopated to the rhythm of the music. The couple usually dances in one spot of the dance floor. Included in this style are the East Coast Swing, Jive, Rumba, Bolero, Cha Cha, Mambo, Samba and Paso Doble.

Popular dances, such as the Argentine Tango, Salsa, Merengue, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bachata, Night Club 2-Step and County and Western Dancing, are more recent additions to the world of Ballroom dance.

Ballroom Dancing Styles

A. International Style

International Style ballroom dance is enjoyed recreationally and competitively all over the world.

The International ballroom dances are divided into two groups:

》Standard•Quickstep •Slow Foxtrot •Tango •Viennese Waltz •Slow Waltz

》Latin•Cha Cha •Samba •Rumba •Paso Doblé •Jive

B. American Style

In American Style, there is the opportunity for a dancer to break away from his or her partner with some open footwork.

Differences Between International and American Ballroom Styles

International style most often used competitively, but many people are enjoying the dance socially. It includes Waltz, Tango Foxtrort, etc. This style is learned when you already know the basic steps of American Style. On the other hand, American style, is easy to perform but the steps are exciting to learn. The couple danced together as well as apart, but the couple is always in time with each other.

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