What is Social Dance?

Social dance is a category of dances that have a social function and context. Social dances are intended for
participation rather than performance and can be led and followed with relative ease. They are often danced merely to
socialize and for entertainment, though they may have ceremonial, competitive and erotic functions.
Social dance can derive from or be an activity within many different genres. It may be the folk dances of a
particular village performed on the local green or community center or it may be old time dancing conducted in a barn or
public hall or even ballroom dancing, Latin American, salsa or rock n roll or any contemporary dance that is public
recreation rather than for display or commercial benefit.
Latin American Dances include the salsa, mambo, meringue, swing, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive,
boogie, and paso doble. They are called Latin American dances because most of them are from the Latin-American
countries. Latin dance originated in the traditional dances of indigenous cultures of Mexico, South America, Central
America and the Caribbean. Like many cultures around the world, dance was essential in communal ritual life. They were
performed during rituals and festivals as a symbolic representation of cultural beliefs. While the Modern Standard Dances
include the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep.
Dance Sport is the name given to competitive ballroom and Latin American dancing. Most Dance Sport
competitors believe that Dance Sport is both a sport and an art. With the creative freedom to express their inner selves
and the extreme agility and fitness of the most elite athletes, Dance Sport for most competitors is a passion, an art and a
sport.
Dance sport
Dance sport is a competitive form of ballroom dancing. It is done in front of judges, in the form of dance that is required of
the competitors. This can be everything from the waltz to the slow foxtrot. There are different categories for age and skill
level.

DIFFERENT LATIN AMERICAN DANCES

1. RUMBA
is considered the “dance of love” because of the sensual interplay of the partners’ movements and the emotion of the
music used. Dancing rumba is supposed to tell a story. You can fill the room with feeling, your interpretation of the
story—love in bloom, unrequited love, jilted love—expressed through your steps, when and how you look at your
partner, your arms
2. MAMBO
The Mambo is one of the most vivacious of all the Latin dancing styles. It is characterized by strong hip movements,
rhythmical body actions, quick footwork and unique arm wraps and turns.
Mambo is a fast and spicy dance characterized by strong Cuban motion, staccato movement and expression of rhythm
through the body. The dancer holds on counts 1 and break on count 2. Mambo also features press lines, many swivels
and spins.
The Mambo, as a dance, came to the United States in the 40's. It did not gain popularity until the early 50's, mostly due
to the Cuban band leader Perez Prado
3. CHA-CHA
Cha-Cha is a ballroom dance characterized by lively and flirtatious movements which are full of passion and energy
4. SAMBA
Samba is a lively dance of Brazilian origin. It's a popular party dance, characterized by simple forward and backward
steps and rhythmic hip movements
5.JIVE
 The most lively, quickest and playful dance in the Latin-American program.
6. SALSA
 The word Salsa means "sauce" in Spanish language.
 Salsa is a Latin dance associated with the music genre of the same name which was first popularized in the
United States in the 1960s in New York City. Salsa is an amalgamation of Cuban dances such mambo, pachanga,
and rumba as well as American dances such as swing and tap.
Salsa is a sexy, energetic and fun partner dance. Unlike some partner dances, it is a very sociable dance – you don’t
need to have a regular partner
7. MERENGUE
The Merengue is a vibrant Latin dance that is extremely popular in the United States and throughout the world. The
Merengue is a fantastic dance for new dancers because it is very easy to learn! The Merengue is danced with “walking
steps” with a step taken on each beat of music
8. SWING
 Swing is a lively, non-progressive partner dance that can be danced to a wide variety of music, from blues to rock
& roll. Non-progressive means it's mostly performed in one spot, so it's very convenient on a crowded dance floor.
 Swing is one of the most versatile partner dances you can learn - very social and beginner friendly. Easily
adaptable to a wide range of tempos, it involves movements with lots of swinging, spinning and rhythmic, creative
footwork.
9. PASO DOBLE
 The Paso Doble is a theatrical Latin dance with Spanish and French origins. It is a dramatic dance that tells a
story through sharp, staccato movements, striking body poses, and flamenco style footwork.
10. BOOGIE
 The dance form was originally inspired by American Rock 'n' Roll/Lindy Hop dancing of the 1950s, but gradually
developed its own European style and personality. Boogie Woogie is a playful and improvised couple dance, often in
medium or slightly fast tempi, with a significant footwork based on musical interpretation. Boogie Woogie of today functions
as a social dance, but is sometimes recognized even more as an established competition dance.
 Boogie-woogie is a genre of blues music that became popular during the late 1920s, developed in African-
American communities in the 1870s. It was eventually extended from piano, to piano duo and trio, guitar, big band, country
and western music, and gospel.

Recreational dance is a therapeutic refreshment or relaxation of one’s body and mind. Activities done for this purpose
are called recreational activities. Its main objective is to revitalize the physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects of a
person.
Dance is a recreational activity that can improve an individual’s physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects. Our health
will definitely be maintained by dancing as part of our lifestyle. Dancing as a recreational activity can be a way to stay fit
for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits.
Street dance refers to dance styles that have evolved outside of dance studios. It is performed in streets, dance parties,
parks, school yards, or in any available space. It is often improvisational and social in nature, encouraging interaction and
contact with spectators and other dancers.
Hip-hop dance, on the other hand, refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved
as part of hip-hop culture. Hip-hop music incorporates a number of iconic elements, most notably DJing and rapping,
along with things like beat boxing, sampling, and juggling beats on turntables.