Abigail Moritz

History of Ballroom
4/20/14
The foxtrot is credited for being originated by Arthur Carringford in 1914. He was an
actor who used the name Harry Fox as his professional name. He first performed it in a
vaudeville act meant as extra publicity to the theater that was in a transformation from stage to
movies. After its introduction, many people tried to copy the dance that they saw. G.K.
Anderson and Josephine Bradley ultimately set the style for foxtrot. After the dance migrated
oversees, the British took out the trotting and made the dance more smooth like the way it is
now. Foxtrot tends to be danced to big band style music. Foxtrot was originally danced to
ragtime. Since it is set in 4/4 time, it is a pretty versatile dance that can be danced to anything
with a beat. The best-selling foxtrot record was Rock Around the Clock even though the song
does not meet the normal characteristics of foxtrot. Some songs that would be under the foxtrot
genre include Beyond the Sea by George Benson L.O.V.E by Nat King Cole, Fly Me to the
Moon, Call Me Irresponsible, and You Make Me Feel So Young by Frank Sinatra. Foxtrot is
common at weddings, a category on Dancing with the Stars, and So You Think You Can
Dance. It is also common at competitions and dance clubs.
Waltz is the oldest ballroom dance originating in the Eighteenth Century. It was spread
through Europe when Napoleons soldiers brought the dance from Germany to Paris. By the
Nineteenth Century the waltz was established in America. Towards the end of the same century
the waltzes were beginning to be written at slower tempos creating separate styles of dances. A
waltz is done in time with the accent on the first beat. Some songs that could be played for a
waltz include Are You Lonesome Tonight? Beauty and the Beast, Can You Feel the Love
Tonight, Edelweiss, and Hush-A-Bye Mountain. The waltz is traditionally danced at a wedding
by the bride and groom as their first dance as a couple. The waltz is featured in Beauty and the
Beast and The Sound of Music as well as being a category in So You Think You Can
Dance and Dancing with the Stars. The Indiana Roof is a local place where people dance the
waltz.
The Tango was created in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tango came to New York in 1910,
and Rudolph Valentino made it really popular in 1921. It is known for being a passionate dance
that can be danced in 2/4 or 4/4 time. Tango is featured in The Scent of a Woman, Evita,
True Lies, Dancing with the Stars, at The Indiana Roof, and most dance competitions.
Abigail Moritz
History of Ballroom
4/20/14
Popular tango songs include The Rain in Spain, Santa Maria, El Tango De Roxanne, Cell Block
Tango from Chicago, and Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Tony Bennett.
Viennese Waltz has been danced for more than 100 years. Like the waltz, it is performed
in 3/4 time. It started similarly to the English waltz, surrounded by disapproval. After growing
popularity continued in the lower class, eventually the upper class began to accept it as well. Its
popularity was increased with the music of Johann Strauss. The dance is now a traditional part
of Austrian culture. Songs that cater to the Viennese Waltz are Chim Chim Cheree, Falling in
Love with Love, Piano Man, Que Sera, Sera and Only Hope. Viennese Waltz can be seen at
most studios, clubs, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and at any of
the 500 balls Vienna has each year.
Swing was popular during 1920-1940 in the United States. Swing dances evolved from
many different dances and cultures. Swing was originally met with must scrutiny and disdain in
the professional dance community, but eventually it was recognized as a dance that would
continue past a short term of popularity and began to be taught. It began as a dance to go along
with the contemporary jazz music popular at the time. Swing is in 4/4 time. Some of the
popular artists of swing music include Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella
Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. In Indy there are a few places to dance the swing, Fountain
Square Theatre Building, Fountainview Inn, Indianapolis Rowing Center, Action Duckpin Bowl
and Banquet, and The Indianapolis Ballroom Company.
Mambo is originally from Cuba. Mambo came to America around 1947. The dance had
a short lived popularity, but recently an artist, Eddie Torres, has been trying to rebuild its
popularity. An older example of a mambo would be Mambo Italiano. Papa Loves Mambo,
Mambo Number 5, I Saw Mommy Do the Mambo, and They Were Doing the Mambo are
some more recent popular mambos. The mambo is danced in 4/4 time. In Chicago, a good place
to experience mambo would be Club Mambo on Centerstage. Nevada and University of
Waterloo both have mambo clubs. Dancing with the Stars also features a mambo competition.
Mambo is a free dance so it is popular in clus and social dancing.
Abigail Moritz
History of Ballroom
4/20/14
Rumba is considered by many to be a sensual and romantic dance. It is popular at
nightclubs, parties, weddings, and competitions. The dance originated in Cuba in the 20s.
Rumba is based in 4/4 time. It is characterized by the accentuated hip movement popular in
Cuban dances. Popular rumba songs and artists include Gloria Estafan, Michael Bubl,
Something Stupid, Air Supply, Call Me Irresponsible, Dream A Little Dream, and
Sway.
Bolero dance style is Latino based style. In Cuba, a newspaper mentioned a dance called
the Bolero as early as 1792. There is controversy on the origin of the bolero, but it is accepted
that a piece called Tristezas gave the Bolero its formal origin. The music evolved from
classical, guitars and percussion, to serenade music. It became popular in the 80s when artists
Luis Miguel, Guadalupe Pineda, Alejandro Fernandez, Charlie Zaa, Edith Marquez, and
Mijaresy Carlos Cuevas. Bolero, like many of the other dances, as a 4/4 rhythm. Dancing with
the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and even a movie called Bolero would be good places
to see the Bolero danced. There are also Bolero clubs, and because of its slow and romantic feel
it could be seen at a wedding although it is not common.
Cha-Cha is upbeat and flirty. Cha-cha also has the Cuban motion present in the Mambo
and the Rumba. The couple tries to have their movements be in sync. It is derived from the
Mambo and the swing, and became popular around 1950. It is still the most popular of the Latin
dances in the United States. The Cha-Cha is reliant on the beat of the music, which is in 4/4
time, to be danced correctly. Cha-cha can be found at any Latin dance club. There is a Pure
Salsa Wednesday Night at the Red Room in Indy that would offer Latin flavor dancing. Cha-
cha can be seen in the movie of the same name, Cha-cha-cha, as well as Innocent Steps,
Dancing with the Stars, and So You Think You Can Dance.
I think that I like the Tango the best. I like that the focus is on each other instead of on
the audience like with the foxtrot or waltz. I like the way the dance really seems to feel the
music and match it well. They also look like they are having fun with the moves. It also has so
much that it can do. It is not just spinning, but it is entertaining to watch.