The Various Types Of Ballroom Dancing

It's amazing how so many people today want to learn ballroom dancing. Time was when it was the older people who danced it and it was also a preserve of the well-off. Who really had the time to learn? But with the breaking down of this class system, ballroom dancing has become accessible to everyone and even better, people seem to be enjoying it. It is no longer something you have to know if you belong to a certain class of society � you now learn it if you want to, because you love it.

There are so many different types of ballroom dancing so let us take a look at some of them. Let's start with the old favorite � the waltz. It was a dance form that has its roots in seventeenth century Germany. It is still very much a favorite in many places. Slow, precise and performed with circular and side to side movements, it evokes romance and is a great favorite at weddings and special functions.

It is probably hard to believe but the jive and the swing are also ballroom dances but much more energetic than the waltz or the foxtrot. The swing has a lot of twirling around, with the girl being lifted up and it also involves intricate footwork. It was born in New York at the Savoy Ballroom in the 20s and is still very popular, especially when there is jazz being played. It hasn't changed at all over the years and still has the same steps as when it began.

The jive is very like the swing but is even faster and the arms move even more than the legs and the feet. It was originally a Latin dance but it was in America that it became popular in the rock and roll time of the 50s. The jive needs music that is upbeat and the footwork involves the weight going from one foot to the other.

Then comes the Rumba which is an expression in dance of a woman pursuing the man and it often has movements of the woman around the man. It represents the attraction between the sexes and the steps are small and quick, with the man sometimes pursuing and sometimes the woman. This is one of the sensual ballroom dances and originates from Latin dancing.

The Spanish dance, paso doble is also a favorite today. It is a very sentimental dance and has a lot of meaning behind every move. In this ballroom dance, the woman represents the cape and the man the matador or Spanish bullfighter. Through the dance emerges just how brave and agile the bullfighter is. The steps are swift and forceful.

Then of course, you have the tango, Argentina's cowboy dance. The real reason behind the woman in the dance being held in the crook of the man's arm was because very often, the cowboys came in to the clubs at night straight from riding, without showering and it was easier for the woman in this position. This is a quick dance with a lot of head turning.

'Festival of Nations' celebrates more than 20 countries

Kent State International Mentors and Kent State Interhall Council co-hosted “Festival of Nations” in the Student Center Ballroom Friday. The festival, held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., celebrated the foods and customs of more than 20 countries including Poland, India, Italy, Kenya, Argentina, Principality of Sealand, Israel, Canada, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France, Peru, Belarus, Brazil ...

Solving energy problems, one molecule at a time

Jeffrey Grossman says Cambridge has a better climate than California — for carrying out materials science research, that is. That’s why Grossman decided, two years ago, to make the move from the University of California at Berkeley to a position at MIT.

North Central Community Calendar – Dec. 8-14

North Central Community Calendar – Dec. 8-14 Send your North Central public event notices (including recreational sports) for free to Edmond Ortiz at eortiz@primetimenewspapers.com; by fax at 250-3350; or by mail to him in c/o North Central News, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio, TX 78297-2171. North Central Baptist Hospital hosts support groups and free educational programs: couples dealing with ...

Santa Monica Mirror's Events, Art, Theater, And Music Calendar Jan. 13 To 19

Looking for something to do this weekend? The Santa Monica Mirror has you covered with local events, live music, theater, and art gallery listings. LAST CHANCE ICE at Santa Monica, for anyone who hasn’t visited the outdoor ice skating rink at Fifth St. and Arizona Ave., this weekend is your last chance. Admission and skate rental is $12. This Monday, Jan. 16 will be the last day to skate. For ...

Bridal Expo

Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Area offer some of the most unique and stunning wedding venues in the world. Whether you picture yourself barefoot on the beach, in a traditional dress at a local church, or dancing under the redwoods, there are hundreds of options to fit your style and budget.