Dancing is a fun way to get exercise and socialize with others. For those who don’t know how to do the different ballroom dances, there are places to take lessons. One place that offers lessons is the Ballroom Dance Factory in Suffolk County NY. Following is more information on the various dances taught there.
The Waltz
The waltz originated in the suburbs of Vienna and in Austria’s alpine region. It involves sliding or gliding from one foot to another. The step pattern is step, close, step.
The Tango
The tango originated in Spain and Morroco. Spanish settlers introduced it in the US. It returned to Spain with black and creole influences.
The Foxtrot
Vaudeville actor Harry Fox introduced the foxtrot during the summer of 1914. The dance’s trotting steps led people to start calling it “Fox’s trot.” It later became known as the Foxtrot.
The Salsa
The origins of the salsa are difficult to define. It seems to have started in Cuba, but some of its origins also come from England, France, and Africa. Because of these different influences, p0eople started calling it the salsa, which is the Spanish word for “sauce.”
The Rumba
The word Rumba comes from the Spanish verb “rumbear” which means “to head to” or “to party.” The dance has both Spanish and African influences. It is a fast dance that has exaggerated hip movements, and the music has a staccato beat.
The Cha-Cha
The cha-cha is a dance that became popular in 1954. When dance teacher Pierre Margolis visited Cuba in 1952, he noticed that the rumba was sometimes danced with extra beats. He started teaching this as a separate dance when he returned to Britain.
The Swing
Swing dancing became popular in the 1920s. This is when “Shorty George” Snowden discovered the Lindy Hop. After that, Cab Calloway introduced a variation of the dance called the Jitterbug. These two types of swing dances, as well as others, remain popular even today.
These are some of the different types of dances that you can learn at the Ballroom Dance Factory in Suffolk County NY. To find out more about the classes, Click Here.
