Quickstep
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This article is about the dance. For the cycling team, see Quick Step.
Quickstep is an International Style ballroom dance that follows a 4/4 time beat, at about 50 bars per minute. An example of a song suitable for the classic quickstep would be Louis Prima’s Sing, Sing, Sing. From its early beginning as a faster Foxtrot, the Quickstep has become quite distinctive. It is danced to the fastest tempo of the ballroom dances.

History
The Quickstep evolved in the 1920s from a combination of the Foxtrot, Charleston, Shag, Peabody, and One-Step. The dance is English in origin, and was standardized in 1927. While it evolved from the Foxtrot, the Quickstep now is quite separate. Unlike the modern Foxtrot, the man often closes his feet and syncopated steps are regular occurrences (as was the case in early Foxtrot). Three characteristic dance figures of the Quickstep are the chassés, where the feet are brought together, the quarter turns, and the lock step.

This dance gradually evolved into a very dynamic one with a lot of movement on the dance floor, with many advanced patterns including hops, runs, quick steps with a lot of momentum, and rotation. The tempo of Quickstep dance is rather brisk as it was developed to ragtime era jazz music which is fast-paced when compared to other dance music.

By the end of the 20th century the complexity of Quickstep as done by advanced dancers had increased, due to the extensive use of syncopated steps with eighth note durations. While in older times quickstep patterns were counted with “quick” (one beat) and “slow” (two beats) steps, many advanced patterns today are cued with split beats, such as “quick-and-quick-and-quick, quick, slow”, with there being further steps on the ‘and’s.

Patterns
The two International Style syllabi of ISTD and IDTA for Quickstep differ very little.

The American Style dance competition program does not include Quickstep, but a limited version of the dance is taught and danced socially in some American dance venues.

Style
The Quickstep is elegant like the Foxtrot, and should be smooth and glamorous. The dancers should appear to be very light on their feet. It is very energetic and form-intensive.

References
Silvester, Victor 1982. Modern ballroom dancing: history and practice. Paul, London.

RUMBA.. is a dance term with two quite different meanings.

First, it means Cuban event of African style, organically related to the rumba genre of Afro-Cuban music. There are several styles of this rumba, the most common being the guaguancó.^[1]

 Second, it refers to one of the ballroom dances which occurs in social dance and in international competitions. In this sense, rumba is the slowest of the five competitive International Latin dances: the paso doble, the samba, the cha-cha-cha and the jive being the others. This ballroom rumba was also danced in Cuba to a rhythm they call the bolero-son; the international style was derived from studies of dance in Cuba in the pre-revolutionary period.^[2]

 Cuban rumba

The Afro-Cuban rumba is entirely different from the ballroom rumba: see guaguanco.

Rumba outside Cuba

Ballroom rumba derives its movements and music from the son, just as do the salsa and mambo. The Peanut Vendor was the first recording of Cuban music to become an international hit:^[3] it was described on the label as a rumba, perhaps because the word son would not be understood in English. The label stuck, and a rumba craze developed through the 1930s. This kind of rumba was introduced into dance salons in America and Europe in the 1930s, and was characterized by variable tempo, sometimes nearly twice as fast as the modern ballroom rumba.

 Ballroom Rumba

The modern style of dancing the rumba derives from studies made by dance teacher Monsieur Pierre (Pierre Zurcher-Margolle), who partnered Doris Lavelle.^[4][5] Pierre, then from London, visited Cuba in 1947, 1951 and 1953 to find out how and what Cubans were dancing at the time.^[6]

The international ballroom rumba is a slower dance of about 120 beats per minute which corresponds, both in music and in dance to what the Cubans of an older generation called the bolero-son. It is easy to see why, for ease of reference and for marketing, rumba is a better name, however inaccurate; it is the same kind of reason that led later on to the use of salsa as an overall term for popular music of Cuban origin.

All social dances in Cuba involve a hip-sway over the standing leg and, though this is scarcely noticeable in fast salsa, it is more pronounced in the slow ballroom rumba.^[7] In general, steps are kept compact and the dance is danced generally without any rise and fall. This style is authentic, as is the use of free arms in various figures. The basic figures^[8] derive from dance moves observed in Havana in the pre-revolutionary period, and have developed their own life since then. Competition figures are often complex, and this is where competition dance separates from social dance. Details can be obtained from the syllabi of dance teaching organizations and from standard texts.^[9][10][11]

Box figure

Rumba box figure

There is also a variant, sometimes danced in the U.S.A., with box-like basic figures. This version has been generally supplanted by the international style in competitions, but may still be danced socially.

B-boying or breaking, commonly referred to as breakdancing, is a style of dance that evolved as part of hip-hop culture among Black and Latino American youths in the South Bronx of New York City during the 1970s. It is danced to both hip-hop and other genres of music that are often remixed to prolong the musical breaks. One who practices this style of dance is called a b-boy, b-girl, or breaker. Although “breakdance” is a common term, “b-boying” and “breaking” are preferred by the majority of the art form’s pioneers and most notable practitioners.

Breaking’s intense popularity started to fade in the late 1970s, but in the following decades it became an accepted dance style portrayed in commercials, movies, and print media. Parties, disco clubs, talent shows, and other public events became typical locations for breakers. Instruction in breaking techniques is now available at dance studios where hip-hop dance is taught. Today, breakers maintain a discipline somewhere between that of dancers and athletes.

Let’s face it, working out can be healthy, rewarding and beneficial. Working out can be lots of things, but it’s never been known to be an exhilarating experience…UNTIL NOW!

The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!

The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you’ve got a Zumba® class!

In the past years, the Zumba® program has become nothing short of a revolution, spreading like wildfire, and positioning itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness.

As of July 2009, the Zumba® program is being taught at over 40,000 locations in 75 countries, has sold millions of DVDs, and has changed the lives of Zumba® Fanatics worldwide with an astonishing five million participants taking Zumba classes every week.

Why? Because it’s the best party around.

History

Celebrity fitness trainer, “Beto” Perez, stumbled upon the concept of Latin-inspired dance-fitness in his native Cali, Colombia in the mid-‘90s.

One day, he walked into his aerobics class and realized he had forgotten his aerobics music. Thinking quickly, he grabbed whatever tapes he had in his backpack. Beto’s tapes were comprised of songs he loved, the traditional Latin salsa and merengue music he listened to all his life. But it was a challenge to improvise a whole class on the spot using non-traditional aerobics music. Beto rose to the challenge and from this last-minute improvisation a revolutionary new concept in fitness was born – the Zumba Fitness-Party™! The class soon became the most popular class at his fitness facility.

Irish dance is a group of traditional dance forms originating in Ireland which can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dances. Irish social dances can be divided further into céilí and set dancing. Irish set dances are quadrilles, danced by 4 couples arranged in a square, while céilí dances (popular form of folk dancing) are danced by varied formations (ceili) of couples of 2 to 16 people. In addition to their formation, there are significant stylistic differences between these two forms of social dance. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the Irish dance community; in some places, dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed.

Irish performance dancing is traditionally referred to as stepdance. Irish stepdance, popularized in 1994 by the world-famous show “Riverdance,” is notable for its rapid leg movements, body and arms being kept largely stationary. Most competitive stepdances are solo dances, though many stepdancers also perform and compete using céilí dances. The solo stepdance is generally characterized by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet. The solo dances can either be in “soft shoe” or hard shoe”.

The dancing traditions of Ireland probably grew in close association with Irish traditional music. Originating in Pre-Christian Ireland, Irish dance was later influenced by dance forms from the Continent, especially the Quadrille (a precursor to traditional square dancing).

Michael Flatley’s name is synonymous with the wave of Celtic dance mania that began sweeping the world in the mid-1990s and has continued to grow steadily ever since. He is the American-born dance pioneer who created Lord of the Dance – the most popular touring dance production in history. The youngest son of Irish parents who immigrated to the U.S. after WWII, Flatley spent much of his childhood in their native Ireland, where he developed an affinity for the traditional form of Celtic dance. It is this form of dance that Flatley combined with ultramodern techniques and a synergistic blend of other styles to create Lord of the Dance. Recognized as the guiding force that helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight, Flatley conceived and choreographed the theatrical extravaganza that has been seen by more than 50 million people worldwide at sold out theaters, arenas and stadiums. He originated the role of the Lord, and presently serves as the show’s artistic director.

AfroCaribe dance class is a cultural expression of ‘Pure Joy” (Vital Juice). Taught by instructor and dance ethnologist, Kimberly Miguel Mullen, dance classes are designed to teach fundamental AfroCaribbean dance techniques and complex body isolations that reflect the various African influences to the Caribbean and Brazil. All dance classes are geared towards developing and learning basic footwork and movement vocabulary through dance progressions, sequencing, and center work. Students will gain cultural, historical, and social content of the dances and learn the relationship between music and dance. A live percussion ensemble accompanies each class. All levels welcome.

AfroCaribe Dance, Saturdays at 10:40AM, Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice, (310) 306-1854, and Fridays, 7PM at Crenshaw Yoga and Dance, 5426 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-294-7148

Samba originates in Brazil where it’s today a symbol of the annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro. It has its roots in folk dances of African-American immigrants living in Rio de Janeiro at the time. There are two basic types of samba and many divisions. Traditional samba, or folk dance samba, is the samba danced at the carnival. It has been impacted by other dances of African and Caribbean origin, creating several subdivisions. Samba has also been adapted into a ballroom dance.

The major action of Samba, the “Samba Bounce Action,” gives the dance its unique look and feel. The Samba Bounce Action is a gentle, rhythmic action felt through the knees and ankles. Samba dancers must strive to make this action appear effortless and carefree…it should never be exaggerated. This bounce action is quite difficult to master, but really adds to the overall character of the Samba.

Samba is danced to music with a tempo of about 100 beats per minute. The fast and energetic rhythm of Samba music encourages spontaneous dancing, such as in the streets during a Carnival celebration.

excerpted from: About.com

Salsa is a dance for Salsa music created by Spanish-speaking people from the Caribbean and their immigrant communities in the US. Salsa dancing mixes African and European dance influences through the music and dance fusions that are the roots of Salsa: Son, Guaguancó, Rumba, Boogaloo, Pachanga, Guaracha, Plena, Bomba.

Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms, line dancing (suelta), and Rueda de Casino where groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. Salsa can be improvised or performed with a set routine.

The dance steps currently being danced to salsa music come from the son, but were influenced by many other Cuban dances such as Mambo, Cha cha cha, Guaracha, Changüí, Palo Monte, Rumba, Abakuá, Comparsa and sometimes even Mozambique. Solo salsa steps are called “Shines”, a term taken from Tap dancing.

Cumbia style (also Colombian Style, Venezuelan style) is the style danced in South and Central America. In the Colombian style basic-step, partners dance side-to-side and mirror each other’s movements. In Colombian style, the break is on the three and the “spare beat” is always used for a tap or other embellishment.

Rueda de Casino (Rueda, Casino Rueda, Salsa Rueda) is a particular type of round dancing of Salsa. It was developed in Havana, Cuba in the late 1950s and early 1960s by the group Guaracheros de Regla and one of its main choreographers and creators was Jorge Alfaro from San Miguel del Padrón, a soloist of a comparsa.

excerpt: Wikipedia.com

Ballet

This article is about the dance form.

Painting of ballet dancers by Edgar Degas, 1872.

Ballet is a formalized type of performative dance, which originated in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century French courts, and which was further developed in England, Italy, and Russia as a concert dance form. The early performances preceded the intervention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with most of the audience seated on tiers or galleries on three sides of the dancing floor. The early ballet dancers were not as highly skilled as they are now.  It has since become a highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. It is primarily performed with the accompaniment of classical music. It has been influential as a form of dance globally and is taught in ballet schools around the world, which use their own cultures and societies to inform the art. Ballet dance works (ballets) are choreographed, and also include mime, acting, and are set to music (usually orchestral but occasionally vocal).

It is best known in the form of Late Romantic Ballet Blanc, which preoccupies itself with the female dancer to the exclusion of almost all else, focusing on pointe work, flowing, precise acrobatic movements, and often presenting the dancers in the conventional short white French tutu. Later developments include expressionist ballet, Neoclassical ballet, and elements of Modern dance.

The etymology of the word “ballet” is related to the art form’s history. The word ballet comes from the French and was borrowed into English around the 17th century. The French word in turn has its origins in Italian balletto, a diminutive of ballo (dance). Ballet ultimately traces back to Latin ballare, meaning to dance.

^{NATHANAEL SANTIAGO & YENESSIS MARZAN ( COPPELIA 09  P.R)}

^{Nathanael Santiago, Yenessis Marzán}

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

El baile flamenco is a highly-expressive solo dance, known for its emotional sweeping of the arms and rhythmic stomping of the feet. While flamenco dancers (bailaores and bailaoras) invest a considerable amount of study and practice into their art form, the dances are not choreographed, but are improvised along the palo or rhythm. In addition to the percussion provided by the heels and balls of the feet striking the floor, castanets are sometimes held in the hands and clicked together rapidly to the rhythm of the music, or clicking using just fingers. Sometimes, folding fans are used for visual effect.

It is important to keep in mind that performing flamenco (ex. flamenco shows) and dancing true, pure flamenco at gypsy weddings and parties are not the same. Flamenco shows are used as entertainment to the payos and many times done by them. Real form of dancing flamenco is seen at “Juergas”. The flamenco dance is basically pure gypsy, excluding the hand movements.

“El Flamenco” can also be characterized as a dance of many cultures. Its a colorful dance that takes a lot of passion and strength to do. It can be danced as different “Tascas Españolas”(spanish clubs) where people can just dance off their emotions, celebrate, or just dance to dance. “Flamenco” can also be a great source of exercise because it requires a lot of body movement and through those moves “bailaores” express lots of different emotions.