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8150 Mall Road Florence, KY (859) 371-1151 |
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Dances We Teach at the Florence Arthur Murray Studio
If you are interested in learning a specific dance and are not sure whether we teach it or not, please call us at (859) 371-1151. Rhythm and Latin Dances For competitive dancing, the Latin dance styles are grouped into two main categories: American Rhythm and International Latin. The American Rhythm style consists of five dances: Cha-Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, and Mambo. The International Latin style also consists of five dances: Cha-Cha, Rhumba, Jive, Paso Doble, and Samba. When comparing the two styles, the most obvious difference is that they each have some unique dances. However, all the dances in each style do differ from their counterparts, in subtle ways, mostly having to do with technique. You will find competitive events in each style. Socially, the following dances fall under the category of latin and/or rhythm: Rumba - Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite
for good Latin dancing. The Cuban Motion is essential in most Latin
dances. The Rumba is used by good dancers everywhere and provides
interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise
footwork gives you confidence in your dancing. The Rumba will sharpen your
sense of rhythm, timing, and muscular control. Cha Cha - The Cha-Cha adds fun to your
dancing through it's syncopated steps and many open movements. When you
can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner
will be able to feel the pulsating latin rhythms which make this dance so
fascinating. The energetic rhythm of the Cha-Cha encourages you to cut
loose and let your personality show. Swing/East Coast Swing -
The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance
easily mastered by most people. The various speeds are excellent training
for quick footwork and good leading & following which will add comfort and
ease in other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns, both men and
women will find Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice.
Perhaps the most uniquely American of all dances, the Swing brings forth a
buoyant carefree movement. It's one of the dances that becomes contagious.
Merengue - Merengue develops Cuban Motion
and the ability to adapt to any partner. It is the
only Latin dance that combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and
therefore is a help to all Latin dances. The march type beat sharpens
timing & coordination and the proper use of the accent will develop a
clearer interpretation of musical rhythm. Jive - Jive is an international competitive
Swing dance with elements of the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug. Characterized by
up-tempo single-time music danced with triple steps done primarily on the
toes with very lively movement. Hustle - Hustle originated in the 1970's
Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday
Night Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like
wildfire, and although the white suits and gold chains have faded away,
the dance has stayed, giving us the fusion of Swing and Disco. Hustle is
still one of the most popular nightclub dances across the country today.
Lindy - Popular musical groups of today have
revived interest in the musical styles from the original Lindy Hop Era and
have fired the imagination and enthusiasm of a whole new generation of
Lindy Hop dancers. However, the acrobatic style used for exhibitions is
not the same as the quietly rhythmic Lindy enjoyed by most dancers on the
ballroom floor. West Coast Swing - WCS is a
stylized Swing dance popular west of the Mississippi from Kansas to
California. Danced to slow or medium tempo Swing or Disco music and
characterized by slot movements, taps and shuffles, coaster steps, and
push and pull action of the dancers. Samba - Samba improves the flexibility of
the body and helps achieve easy movement and lightness. The Samba rolling
action teaches the body to be supple. To move lightly, quickly, and
smoothly without effort takes study but only at the start. Although
considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and in a
relaxed manner giving the appearance of effortless movement. Sometimes
called the South American Waltz, the Samba pulsates to a unique Latin
rhythm. Mambo - Mambo is a fusion of Cuban and
American dancing. The music is characterized by a stirring Afro-Cuban
beat. Mambo is an exciting dance which allows you to develop your own
feeling and expression. Because Mambo is such a fun dance, good Mambo
dancers are always popular and in demand as partners. The wild exciting
music, and rhythmical body movements make the earthy Mambo irresistible.
Salsa - Salsa is the Spanish word for
"sauce" denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style to
a complex mix of many different rhythms. There are indications the term
Salsa was coined by radio disc jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the
1960's. Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican
musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto
Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Cuban beat with enhanced jazz textures results
in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere.
Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and
Cha-Cha. Jitterbug - Jitterbug is also known as
single-time swing. It is usually done to faster Swing music and is a
highly energetic and expressive dance. It could also be referred to as a
toned down Lindy Hop. It is also a spot dance and highly useful on crowed
dance floors. Bolero - Originally a Spanish dance in 3-4
time, it was changed in Cuba into 2/4 time and then eventually into 4/4
time. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. This dance is
often said to have the rise and fall of Waltz, the contra-body motion of
Tango, and the rhythm of Rumba. It is a favorite of dancers, as it
incorporates many techniques similar to other dances to create a slow,
sensual, romantic dance.
Smooth and Standard Dances There are two main categories when talking about Standard Dancing - The International Standard and American Smooth. The International Standard style includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. This style is danced widely in competitions, both in the United States and throughout the world. The most obvious trait of the International Standard style is the dancers' constant closed position, where the two dance partners never lose contact (as opposed to American Smooth style, where couples often open up, and dance apart from each other). The Standard dances are also characterized by their very precise elements of technique: footwork, rise & fall, amounts of turn, etc. From this technique emerges a unique elegance and beauty. Four of the Standard dances have their American-style counterparts. The American Smooth dances consist of: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz. In the American Smooth style, partners often separate from closed dance position, and dance apart from each other. American Smooth is quite popular at social dances, and is danced at major competition events across the United States. This is an expressive style is that can be extremely fun to dance and watch. The following are dances that fall under the category of standard and/or smooth: Fox Trot - Fox Trot is a basic dance from
which you can acquire a basic foundation. Learning to combine steps easily
and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is
attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to
dance to slow, medium, and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing
and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner. The Fox Trot provides
a good foundation for all dances and is often called the "get-acquainted"
or "first impression" dance. Waltz - Waltz develops balance and control.
The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom
dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be
stressed to achieve good styling. The elegant sweeping movement of the
Waltz gives dancers a chance to practice balance and to move lightly with
ease. Tango (for Argentine Style, please refer to
"Specialty Dances") - The Tango is one of the most beautiful of all the
dances. It is characterized by earthy and dramatic movements. In order to
achieve the distinctive style of Tango, it is important to develop
controlled staccato footwork along with fluid graceful movements. The
unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which
develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is
essential towards becoming a good dancer. Viennese Waltz - With such
wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more
and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and
more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have
today's Viennese Waltz. Quickstep - Quickstep is the English
version of the Fast Fox Trot, which has quick hopping steps set in with
the smoother gliding figures. It is very popular in Europe as a
competition dance. It ranks among the "Big Five."
Country Western Dances Here at Arthur Murray, we have an entire Country Western Syllabus that teaches many of the popular dances. And for those of you who have aspirations of competition, these dances can be found at nearly every event that we attend. The following is a list of dances found in our Country Western Syllabus: Progressive Two-Step - The
Two-Step originated in the 1800's by people who arrived here from Europe.
It was an offspring of the minuet and they danced it as QQSS. In the old
Western days when women were not allowed to dance with men, men danced
together and that is the reason for the hand on the shoulder holding a can
of beer and the other hand to the side. The only women who eventually
danced with these men were Indian Squaws and that is where all the turns
came about, because Indian women loved to spin. Two-step is a Western
dance whose popularity has spread all over the United States. Country Western Waltz - This
is the Country Western counterpart to the Ballroom Waltz. This version is
generally faster and progresses rapidly down the floor. Generally seen as
the romantic country dance, the movement is graceful and playful through
its use of turns and spins. Country Swing - Country Swing is
also referred to as 4 count Swing or Pony swing and is characterized by
its use of continuous rock steps. This is an easy dance to learn and is
often fun for those looking to get out on the dance floor immediately. West Coast Swing - A stylized Swing dance popular west of the
Mississippi from Kansas to California. Danced in a slot to medium to slow
Swing or Disco music and characterized by slot movements, taps and
shuffles, coaster steps, and push and pull action of the dancers. Texas Two-Step - Texas Two-Step is
a modified version of the popular Progressive Two-step done to slower
tempos of music. The primary difference between the two styles is an
exaggerated brushing action done side to side during the two slow counts
of the basic. Country Shuffle - Country Shuffle
is the Western version of Polka. The primary difference is that the style
of Shuffle is less hoppy than the Polka. The basic step consists of a
triple to the left followed by a triple to the right. Country Triple Two Step -
This dance resembles East Coast Swing, however, the rock step is replaced
with walking steps and the dance becomes a progressive dance down the
floor.
Specialty Dances The following are miscellaneous dances that are taught at Arthur Murray. If you are interested in learning a specific dance and are not sure whether we teach it or not, please feel free to call us at (859) 371-1151 or e-mail us at amdstudio@aol.com Polka - This dance was introduced to society
in 1844. Every now and then it is revived because of it's boisterous
charm. It is supposed to have been originally created by a Bohemian girl.
The basic step consists of a preparatory hop followed by a chasse done
first to the left and then to the right. Curiously enough, it reappeared
again in the 1940's in the Cha-Cha as one of the more popular steps. The
Polka is still danced quite often throughout the country. Argentine Tango - This dance
originated in the West Indies where it was danced only by the lowest
classes. The name is from the African Tanganya. The dance found its way
into Argentina where it was re-created by the Gauchos in Buenos Aires. It
was actually an attempt on their part to imitate the dance except that
they danced it in a closed ballroom position. The Tango caused a sensation
and was soon to be seen the world over in a more subdued version. Nightclub 2-Step - This dance is
an easy playful dance that can be done to many pop songs. It is done to
4/4 time music and has similar patterns to those found in Salsa, although
the style of this dance is much slower and smoother. This is a popular
dance among wedding couples as it is usually a good tempo for the slower
romantic ballads. Slow Dance - This dance is related to
Fox Trot but is done with even timing and on smaller crowded nightclub
floors. This is a great dance for couples who want to get out on the dance
floor immediately. It is useful in jazzy nightclubs or lounges.
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