Ballroom dancing is formal,
social dancing. The word "ball" is from the Latin word
ballare, which means dance. Ballroom dancing is
done by a couple; one person leads and the other follows
the steps. The two main styles of ballroom dancing are
international style and American style. The Rumba,
Mambo, Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing dances are some
of the most popular types of ballroom dancing enjoyed
worldwide.The Rumba style of ballroom dancing is also
known as the Latin Waltz. The American Rumba is a
variation of a slow-rhythmed Cuban dance called the Son
that was brought to the United States in the 1920s. The
Rumba is danced on the spot, rather than all over the
dance floor, with hip and other body movements in a
slow, quick, quick beat.
The Mambo is also based on a Son rhythm, but has
its origins in African tribal dancing. The Mambo was
created in the 1930s by cellist Oresta Lopez. Lopez'
band leader, Perez Prado, popularized Mambo music in
ballroom dancing.
The Cha Cha was originally called the Cha Cha Cha as
its main movement is based on a triple step. The Cha Cha
style of ballroom dancing originated in the Cuban Mambo
and became popular in the United States in the 1950s.
The Cha Cha triple step is danced in between two rock
beat movements.
The Modern Waltz style of ballroom dancing comes from
the Austria Waltzen styles of ballroom dancing popular
in Austria and Germany in the early 1900s. The Boston
Waltz became popular in the United States in 1834 and is
a slower version of the Viennese Waltz. Today, the Waltz
still remains as a slow type of ballroom dancing and the
slow beat has allowed the Waltz to have more figures,
dips and steps added to it.
The Foxtrot is a type of ballroom dancing invented by
Harry Fox in 1914 in New York City. The Foxtrot involves
moving the back leg in a smooth action, although there
are many variations of the Foxtrot. The original Foxtrot
was faster and not as smooth as some of the variations
danced today. However, the faster Foxtrot style of
ballroom dancing is still taught in many modern ballroom
dancing studios and danced in many modern ballrooms.
Swing dances vary greatly depending on the region and
country. The origins of Swing ballroom dancing go back
to the southern United States' Dixieland and Ragtime
music. The Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing ballroom
dancing incorporate the active movements of early swing
such as the jumps, kicks and energetic jazz moves. Big
Band Swing ballroom dancing became popular during the
Big Band music of the 1930s and 1940s. Many different
variations of Swing ballroom dancing coexist today.
(Source: www.wisegeek.com)
