Ballroom dancing is a modality that encompasses different dance styles, performed in pairs. It is part of the social dances.
the calls social dances are those carried out by couples (doubles) and also at events and social celebrations. That is, they are not only presented in rehearsals or shows.
It is common to see couples dancing ballroom dance styles at weddings, parties and other events. Therefore, this modality is called ballroom dancing, as they are performed informally in the halls of events.
Examples of ballroom dancing are: samba de gafieira, forró, lambada, salsa, pasodoble, tango and waltz.
Types of ballroom dancing
There are dozens of styles of ballroom dancing, as this modality has spread throughout most of the world and has received various influences. The following stand out:
Parsley
Salsa is a Cuban dance (and music) style, inspired by other dance styles in the country, such as mambo It is rumba. It is a fast type of dance that requires a lot of body awareness from the dancers.
Salsa movements are done in four beats and directed to the sides. It is one of the most famous styles of
latin ballroom dancing.Lining
Forró is a Brazilian dance, with european inspiration, indigenous It is african. While the act of partner dancing comes from European ballroom dancing, the movement of the feet originates from traditional indigenous dances, the swaying of the hips has an African influence.
There are three main types of forró, which are distinguished by the speed of the music and dance, as well as the execution of certain movements: forró foot de serra, university forró It is electronic forró.
licking
The lambada is another Brazilian dance style, originating in the state of Pará. Its movements are inspired by the region's traditional dance, the stamp, and Caribbean dances, such as the meringue.
During the execution of the lambada, the dancers perform movements together and separately, always in sync.
samba de gafieira
It is probably the most famous brazilian ballroom dance. It originates from another Brazilian dance, the gherkin, and unlike other types of samba, the samba de gafieira is danced in pairs.
It is a dance of lightness and grace, and the dancer (who leads) also represents the figure of Rio's rascals, both in movements and in his posture.
In addition to the samba de gafieira, another form of samba, the samba rock, is also considered a ballroom dance.
pasodoble
It's a European ballroom dance, but specifically Spanish. Performing the dance requires a lot of attitude and excellent posture.
The pasodoble symbolizes all the fury and tension of the tSpanish bream. During the dance, the dancer represents the bull, while the female dancer symbolizes her cape or the bull itself.
As for clothing, the dancer wears clothes similar to those of bullfighters, while the woman wears the well-known long, voluminous skirts with ruffles typical of the dance.
Bolero
There are doubts about the origin of the bolero, while some versions claim that the dance originated in Cuba, others have its origins in Spain.
The best known version says that bolero is Cuban, but inspired by Spanish rhythms and other Latin countries.
Is very romantic dance, with a slower rhythm than other Latin dances.
Tango
Tango is an Argentine ballroom dance. It is a very sensual dance and, during the 19th century, when it first appeared, it was considered inappropriate.
The word tango is of African origin and means "inside the house", which summed up, for the time, where the practice of dancing should take place, away from public places. Only in the 20th century did tango become accepted and practiced more freely.
It is believed to have its origins in Cuban dances. It's a style that expresses a lot of passion, but also sadness and aggression.
Foxtrot
The foxtrot is an American dance, performed to the rhythm of the great jazz bands. It has long, continuous and very elegant movements.
From the foxtrot, another dance style emerged, in England, with faster movements, the quickstep.
Waltz
The waltz originates in the region of Austria and Germany. It is inspired by the minuet and the laendler (a popular German dance).
It became famous in European courts from the 19th century onwards, after facing much prejudice due to its popular origin. The waltz is considered a classical dance, very elegant, and performed in three strokes.
Know more about waltz.
Kizomba
It's an Angolan ballroom dance. It has a slow rhythm, well marked, and very sensual. It is influenced by other Angolan rhythms, such as semba (which also influenced Brazilian sambra) and angolan meringue. The term "kizomba" means "party" or "fun".
Origin of ballroom dancing
Ballroom dancing emerged in the fourteenth century, during the Renaissance in Europe. They were first popular in the courts, among the nobility, and then they also became frequent in the dances of the common people, including folk dances.
Among the most practiced dances at the time were the minuet, the polka, the square dance and the waltz. The minuet, the polka and the quadrille were most danced in France. In England, the quadrille was the most practiced. In Austria, the waltz was danced.
From the 19th century onwards, dances in pairs became even better known, even outside Europe, taken through colonization and immigration. In Latin America and Africa, for example, they mix with local dances and customs, creating new steps and rhythms.
Some examples are samba de gafieira, soltinho, tango, merengue, cumbia and salsa, Latin American ballroom dance styles, and kizomba, an African style.
See too what is contemporary dance.
