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DANCE STYLES

Cha Cha

Fast Facts:
th The Cha Cha is a cheeky, lively and flirtatious dance. It has a catch-me-if-you-can atmosphere, and is light and bubbly.
th It has a distinctive syncopation where 5 steps are danced to four beats hence the 'One, two, cha cha cha' description.
th The dance is originally from Cuba.

Distinctive moves:
th .Triple steps (Chassez) and rock steps are the basic components of the Cha Cha. Since the Cha Cha is derived from the Rumba and Mambo dances, Cuban Motion is an important aspect of this dance as well as maintaining quick compact steps. Cuban Motion describes the hip motion resulting from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees.
th The dancers should synchronize movements, working in parallel with each other.
th The New Yorker is a characteristic move, where a dancer steps across their partner and checks to change direction.

Foxtrot

Fast Facts:
th During the summer of 1914, actor Harry Fox was appearing in shows in New York with Yansci Dolly, in an act of Hammerstein's. Soon people at the Jardin de Danse on the roof of the New York Theater began copying the act that Harry was putting on downstairs, leading them to refer to the dance as "Fox's Trot."
th The foxtrot is a very smooth dance and there should be no jerkiness. It is a dance with many continuously forward or backward moving patterns which are straight and well aligned on the competition floor. It is called the Rolls Royce of the standard dancing styles because the smoothness that is required. ***
th The timing is very important. It should be: slow, quick, quick, slow. The dancers should drive off on the slow and let the quicks take care of themselves. This makes it a very difficult dance.

Distinctive moves:
th The Weave - the weave is six quick steps in a row, all taken on the toes. Quick steps are generally taken on the toe, slow steps on the heels.
th The Feather Step - when the man steps outside the girl.
th Look out for the zig zag patterns that the dancers create on the floor

Jive

Fast Facts:
th Jive is a rhythmical and swinging dance which was influenced by the Boogie, Rock & Roll, African/American Swing and the Lindyhop. The roots of the Jive are in New York's Harlem.
th It is the fastest of the Latin dances and should show lots of kicks and flicks and twirling of the woman. Although on first impression it might look like the feet are all over the place in every direction, the feet/legs should actually be under the body and the knees should always be close together.
th Jive doesn't move around the dance floor like other dances.

Distinctive moves:
th The basic movement is chassez to the left chassez to the right and a rock step (changing weight from one foot to the other).
th Look out for the flick, ball, change movement - where you stand on one foot and kick down at the same time.
th Look out for the distinctive kick action in jive where toes are always pointed to the ground when kicking.
th Watch out for the American Spin - when the man lets go of the lady and lets her spin on her own.


Paso Doble

Fast Facts:
th The Paso Doble on the competition floor should create a Spanish Bull Fighting atmosphere. The Paso Doble is the dance for the Man, which allows him to fill the "Space" with strong three-dimensional shapes and movements danced with "Pride and Dignity."
th The woman's role varies depending on the intepretation of the dance. The woman can take the role of the matador's cape, the bull or even the matador at different times within the dance
th Characteristics of the Paso Doble are the "Marching" flavor given to the steps and the cape movements creating the required tension between both dancers.
th It is one of the only dances that is danced only in the ballroom world.
th It is one of the most dramatic of the dances.

Distinctive moves:
th Look out for chassez cape - the man using the woman as the cape to bring her around.
th Apel - this is when the man stamps his foot - this should be very strong. The man would stamp his foot as if he was trying to attract the bull's attention (the bull often gets distracted by the crowd in a bull fight).
th There are strong Flamenco influences in the dance where the use of castanets is simulated.
th The arpel is a commencement of a movement with the stamping of the feet where the man and woman walk in separate directions.

Quickstep

Fast Facts:
th During the 1920s, many bands played the Quickstep too fast and some couples couldn't keep up. Over time, a faster version was born, absorbing extra elements of ragtime such as the Charleston. This led to the creation of what we today call the Quickstep.
th This is a light, bright, twinkling and happy dance with tricky footwork. Quite sporty in its delivery as it is very springy and fast paced.
th The basic feel is slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. The majority of the slow should be taken on the heel; the majority of the quick should be taken on the toe.

Distinctive moves:
th The characteristic motion of a quickstep is an up-and-down swing motion. This rise-and-fall motion must be done at a fast pace.
th It is important to move powerfully and positively across the floor while remaining light on the feet.
th Two bodies moving in the speed of the quickstep require first of all a high level of synchronization and understanding about leg tension and use of the ankles. During execution of the "tricksteps," both dancers need the same tension of feet and legs.
th There needs to be lots of work on the balls of the feet and lots of spring from the feet.
th To achieve the right musical interpretation, the timing of the "Slows" should be slightly extended to force a sharp action in the ankles in the "Quicks."
th Look out for the facial expressions. They are not compulsory but help to capture the essence of the dance.
th Also watch out for Runs - quick little repetitive movements/steps.
th Floorcraft is required in this dance more than in the others.

Rumba

Fast Facts:
th A dance that tells the story of love and eroticism between a man and a woman
th The Rumba relies on the age-old premise of the lady trying to conquer the gentleman by means of her womanly charms. Incorporating all the elements of teasing and withdrawal, it is considered the most sensual of the Latin dances.

Distinctive moves:
th The Rumba should portray romance and therefore have good interplay between the dancers.
th In this dance the emphasis is on the body. Hip actions are produced by controlled transfer of weight from foot to foot.
th Look out for figure-eight hip rolls - this is a hip roll where the hips alternate in a forward movement.
th There are lots of slow stylish body shapes in the Rumba.
th When it comes to the footwork, look for a straightening of legs, and swiveling action in the feet.
th The walks should be strong and direct.
th No heel leads - the dancers must not walk on the heels of their feet; they are on the balls of feet only.
th Look out for the Cucaracha step - rock to the right or the left, then replace and close.
th Look out for the Fan position - the woman goes on the man's left side at arms length and at 90 degrees to the man. .

Samba

Fast Facts:
th The Samba is an all-out party dance with origins from Brazil's Rio Carnival. It is made up of many different South American dances incorporated into one. It is very rhythmical with lots of hip action.
th Walking Samba steps and side steps are the basic components of this dance. The major characteristic of the Samba is the vertical bounce action. Steps are taken using the ball of the foot. The accomplished dancer is made to look effortless and carefree with knee action, body sway and "pendulum motion."

Distinctive moves:
th The Basic step is a Volta (a crossing action in front of the body, where you step across with the bounce). You will see a bouncing action predominantly through the knees.
th Look out for the Samba roll – a rolling movement from the waist up. The upper body circles as you create a six-step turning group.
th Many Sambas have a move called a Botafogo, which is a traveling walk with a change of direction from left to right or right to left.
th There should be lots of outstretched arms.
th The samba has a distinctive climax, it ends with throwing of heads back and arms splayed out to side.
th There should be a good balance of moving steps and stationary steps.

Tango

Fast Facts:
th The gauchos (cowboys) of Argentina wore chaps that hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse's body, causing them to walk with flexed knees. Of a night they would go to crowded night clubs and ask ladies of the night to dance but since the gaucho hadn't showered, the lady would dance in the crook of the man's right arm, holding her head back. Her right hand was held low on his left hip, close to his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him.
th No rise and fall in the steps. This should be a very level, flat dance. The legs are therefore always slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be slightly bent at all times).

Distinctive moves:
th The Tango is a very emotional dance and this should be conveyed.
th Must see lots of clipped movements.
th The action must always be staccato.
th Look out for sharp head turning and stops.
th The hold is different in the tango. The man's left arm is more towards head level. The general hold is far more compact and the couple are much tighter together.
th Walks - Should be done with the heels leading.

Viennese Waltz

Fast Facts:
th The Waltz developed in Central Europe from the Austrian dance known as the Landler. The fast whirling of partners held as if in an embrace shocked polite society. The music of Johann Strauss and the famous ballrooms of Vienna popularized the faster version known as the Viennese Waltz.
th This will be a group dance on Dancing With The Starss, so the dance floor can get quite crowded. Watch out for couples getting boxed in as it has been known for dirty tactics to be employed for couples to try and gain an advantage on the floor.

Distinctive moves:
th Sweeping turns that gracefully move around the floor characterize this dance. The Viennese Waltz is known for its rotational movement, which is simple and elegant.
th There should be no foot rise on the inner turns.
th Rotating and swinging spatial movements.

Waltz

Fast Facts:
th Considered the mother of present day dances, the Waltz began in southern Germany in the 17th century. The popularity of the Waltz dance grew with the music of Johann Strauss and eventually blossomed in the 20th century. It is the basis for many dances and is popular today all over the world
th The basic components of Waltz are walking steps and side steps. "Rise and Fall" and "Body Sway" are some of the styling characteristics which make the simplest Waltz steps and patterns elegant and beautiful.
th A sentimental and romantic dance, it is characterized by soft and round movements and its swing and flow.
Distinctive moves:
th An action that must be visible at any competition level is the Waltz Pendulum action, an action comparable with the movement of a bell clapper. The Waltz must contain the right level of up-and-down swing in balance with the required spatial movement.
th As in all dances, dancing from the supporting foot is essential. The "moment when" to start rising from your supporting foot is crucial in the Waltz.
There should be lots of rotation.


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