Physical Education – Social Dances and Dance Mixers

Dance Etiquette

• A set of guidelines that help you navigate the social dimensions of dancing. It is essential for you to maximize
how to go about the process of social dancing and have a happy dancing experience.

• DANCE FLOOR DEMEANOR/BEHAVIOR • ON THE FLOOR

• WHAT TO WEAR • PERSONAL GROOMING
• NO-FAULT DANCING • ASKING FOR A DANCE

ATTIRE GENTLEMEN LADIES

Formal Tailcoat, Tuxedo Coat, Regular Coat, Bow Tie or Ball Gown, Evening Gown, Dinner Gown,
Regular Necktie, Black Trouser Cocktail Gown
Semi-Formal Dress Shirt and Tie, Vest or Sweater that shows Dinner Dresses, Flowing Pants
the Tie
Dressy Casual Solid Color T-shirts, Turtleneck, Polo Shirt, Anything that displays a conservative, toned-
(Practices) Cotton Slacks down appearance
Latin Button-up shirt, Solid T-shirt, Turtleneck, Dress Sexy Outfits and Long Slit skirts, Low Necklines
Slacks, Bright Colorful Outfits are Accepted and Exposed Midriffs are Popular

DON’Ts IN TERMS OF OUTFITS and DANCE SHOES:

Do not wear sneaker or any shoe with rubber or
spongy sole. Always wear dance shoes.
Avoid sleeveless shirts and strapped dresses.
Avoid shaggy, baggy, low armpit upper shirt.
Avoid accessories like big rings, watches, brooches,
loose/long necklaces and big belt buckles.
Long hair should be put up or tied in a pony tail.

PERSONAL GROOMING
DURING THE DANCE BEFORE THE DANCE
Check your grooming periodically Shower and use a deodorant
Freshen up and towel off periodically in the bathroom Brush your teeth and use mouthwash/breath mint
Carrying an extra shirt is advisable for men in case Abstain from foods that produce strong odor
they need to change Don’t smoke, it causes foul mouth and clothing odor

ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Line of Direction (Counter clockwise) While on the Floor (Avoid colliding with other pairs)
Be Polite (Thank or Compliment your Partner) Accompany your Partner back to her Seat

NO-FAULT DANCING Project a positive image on the dance floor even if it’s
Never blame a partner for missed execution of figures not your personal style.
Dance to the level of your partner Dance at the level of your partner
The show must go on, say “sorry” to your partner if If you don’t know the dance, be honest, refuse
something went wrong promptly if asked to dance.
No teaching on the dance floor. It may insult your
DEMEANOR partner
Be personable, smile and make eye contact with Do not cut other dancers off.
partner.
 Social dances and dance mixers are dances intended primarily to get to know other people in attendance to a
certain social function. They are also called ballroom dances.

 They are usually performed in pairs, male and female, but may also be performed in groups. Social dances are
classified into two major classifications namely the Latin American Dances and the Modern Standard Dances.

 Social Dances are communal dances performed in social gatherings in any given space.

 Latin American Dances include the salsa, mambo, meringue, swing, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive, boogie,
and paso doble. Latin are somewhat revealing, tight-fitting, sexy yet sophisticated in nature. They are freer and
can be performed in close or open hold.

 While the Modern Standard Dances include the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep.
Standard dances on the other hand, wear formal, ankle-length gowns for females and coat-and-tie for males.
Most of the time, movements in these are restricted to close ballroom position with partner.
 Social or ballroom dances are different from dance sport because the latter is freer in nature and are primarily
intended to widen one’s social horizon, for recreation; and fitness.

 Dance mixers, on the other hand, are social dances which allow group of performers to change partners
periodically while dancing to allow chance to get to know other members of the performing group. Its primary
function is to maximize the social dimensions of dancing.

CHA – CHA
- offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began
dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo.

RUMBA
- the Dance of Love. The Rumba is a "spot dance". It is danced in one spot and is expressed through body
movement. The character is romantic and sexy. The style or technique used is Cuban motion of the hips.

WALTZ
- comes from the old German word walzen, which means to roll, turn, or to glide. When first
introduced into the English ballrooms in the early 1800's, the Waltz was denounced by both church
and state for its vulgarity and immorality, primarily due to its closer hold and rapid turning
movements.

SWING
- Characterized by jumps, spins, turns and throw -outs, the Lindy was seen on dance floors all across
America. Today, the Lindy has undergone many alterations and has been toned down and
incorporated into a ballroom format known most commonly as the S wing.

TANGO
- Tango is a sensual coupling, forged by raw emotion. The Tango is also unique in the dancer's head
position. BOTH dancers are "looking" in the same direction.