dance.html

"DANCING IS MY LIFE"

"Can I Have This Dance?"

"Chorus"
Can I have this dance for the rest of my life?
Will you be my partner, each and every night?
Because when we're together , it feels so right,
Can I have this dance for the rest of my life?

My Favorite Dance
TANGO
Tango was first danced in Europe before the World War I, in 36 bars per minute tempo. It originates from Buenos Aires Argentina) where it was first danced in "Barria de Las Ranas",the ghetto of Buenos Aires. It was then known under the name of "Baile con corte" (dance with a rest). The "dandies" of Buenos Aires changed the dance in two ways. First they changed the so called "Polka rhythm" into the "Habanere rhythm" and secondly they called it "Tango". From 1900 onwards several amateurs tried to introduce the dance from Argentina into Paris, but without success. Being rather an exotic dance, a sensuous creation of the South nations, Tango initially did not become accepted by the European social establishment. It was however still danced in the suburban areas and gaining more and more popularity. Tango's breakthrough came on a dance competition on French Riviera. The dance was so well presented there by a group of its enthusiasts that it gained immediate recognition in Paris and then the rest of Europe.
Tango Instructions

" New Age Samba"

SAMBA
Samba originates from Brazil where it is a national dance. Many versions of the Samba -from Baion (pronounce: Bajao) to Marcha- are danced at the local carnaval in Rio. To achieve the true character of the Samba a dancer must give it a gay, flirtatious and exuberant interpretation. Many figures, used in the Samba today, require a pelvic tilt acion. This action is difficult to accomplish, but without it the dance loses much of its effect. Before 1914 it was known under a Brazilian name "Maxixe" . The first attempts of introducing samba to European ballrooms are dated 1923-24, but it was after the World War II when Samba became a popular dance in Europe. Samba has a very specific rhythm, highlighted to its best by characteristic Brazilian musical instruments: originally called tamborim, chocalho, reco-reco and cabaca.

JIVE
Jive has been initially developed from a dance called "Jitterburg" by eliminating all its acrobatic elements and polishing the technique.
The first description of Jive made by London dance teacher Victor Silvester was published in Europe in 1944. The Boogie, Rock & Roll and the American Swing also influenced this dance. Jive is a very fast, energy-consuming dance. It is the last dance danced at the competitions, and dancers have to show that having danced four dances they are not tired yet and still ready to go at it hard.

PASO DOBLE
Paso Doble originates from Spain. It developed on the basis of movements performed by the matadors during the bull fights. In Paso Doble the man (matador) is in focus more than in any other dance. The lady is left with playing a role of a cape ("cappa") the red canvas of the torreador or a bull, depending on circumstances. The dance came into fashion around 1920. It is probably the last dance you will learn if you take up Latin American dance classes. That's because it is based around previously agreed choreography (arranged precisely to the music) and it is far more difficult to lead and improvise it.

CHA CHA
Cha-Cha-Cha is the newcomer of the Latin American dances. This dance was first seen in the dance-halls of America, in the early fifties, following closely Mambo, from which it was developed. Shortly after the Mambo was introduced, another rhythm started to gain popularity, a rhythm that was ultimately to become the most commonly known of the Latin American dances throughout the world. It was named Cha-Cha-Cha. The music is slower than Mambo and the rhythm is less complicated. The interpretation of Cha-Cha-Cha music should produce a happy, carefree, cheeky, party-time-like atmosphere. Recently it was decided to shorten the name to Cha-Cha. Even those who do not proceed to competitive dancing, the benefits are incalculable. Apart from equipping you with confidence for the social dance floor, You learn co-ordination, which is the prime benefit. You learn balance, especially when you learn to spin. Most people tend to dance from the knees when they start, but, once you learn to use your legs and hips properly, it helps in other areas, such as in your poise.

View My Guestbook