History of Dance

From time to time we will change the featured dance in this history page. We would love to hear from you. Please click on the link at the bottom of any page and email us your input about how you are enjoying the website and reading about our studio.

Samba

The ballroom samba has its origins in Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century. As a ballroom dance, the samba is a partner dance. Ballroom samba, like other ballroom dances, is somewhat disconnected from the origins and evolution of the music and dance that gives it its name. It is a form adapted for its suitability as a partner dance. The dance movements, which do not change depending on the style of samba music being played, borrows some movements from Afro-Brazilian traditional dances such those used in candomblé rituals and the chamadas of capoeira angola.

The ballroom samba is danced to music in 2/4 or 4/4 time. The basic movements are counted either 1-2 or 1-a-2, and are danced with a slight downward bouncing or dropping action. This action is created through the bending and straightening of the knees, with bending occurring on the beats of 1 and 2, and the straightening occurring on the "a". Samba is notable for its constantly changing rhythms however, with cross-rhythms being a common feature.

Rumba

Rumba is the spirit and soul of Latin American music and dance. The fascinating rhythms and bodily expressions make the Rumba one of the most popular ballroom dances.
 

The rumba has had many influences, some from African slaves introduced into Cuba and some from the native population of Cuba. The "Son" was the popular dance of middle class Cuba. It is a modified slower and more refined version of the native Rumba. The "rumba influence" came in the 16th century with the black slaves imported from Africa. Still slower is the "Danzon", the dance of wealthy Cuban society. Very small steps are taken, with the women producing a very subtle tilting of the hips by alternately bending and straightening the knees.

The Rumba was introduced into the U.S.A. in the 1930's as a composite of this rural Rumba with the Guaracha, the Son, and the Cuban Bolero (unrelated to the Spanish Bolero). It was particularly popularized in 1935 by George Raft, who played the part of a suave dancer who wins the heart of an heiress through dance, in the movie 'Rumba', although the male dancing was done mainly by Frank Veloz.

The waltz is a dance that was born in the suburbs of Vienna. The name waltz is taken from the Italian ‘volver’ - to turn, or revolve. It evolved from a country dance called the ländler, replacing the hopping and jumping movements with more polished and graceful gliding.

In the 17th century, waltzes began to be heard in the ballrooms of high society & royalty. Before that time, waltzes were danced only by peasants in Austria and Bavaria. Originally danced with arms intertwined, eventually the closed hold was introduced. The waltz was initially called crude and vulgar and criticized on moral ground by those opposed to the closer hold and the rapid turning movements. The result of all of this bad publicity was only to increase the popularity of the dance. At the end of the 18th century, Paris had nearly 700 dance halls.

Waltz not only survived but thrived. Now, Waltz is the most popular dance in the world, and is often used as a stylish wedding dance. It is characterized by its romantic slow music, rise-and-fall action, and close contact with your partner.