Group 7 Social Dance

SOCIAL DANCE

Social dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles,

where sociability and socializing are the primary focuses of the dancing. Social
dances can be danced with a variety of partners and still be led and followed in a
relaxed, easy atmosphere. Many social dances are partner dances. In fact, quite
often when spoken about social dances, ballroom or other partner dances are
kept in mind. However it is natural to include in this category such groups of
dances as circle dances, line dances, novelty dances, or simply club dancing in
solo.
HISTORY OF SOCIAL DANCE
The history of social dance can be traced back as far as primitive cultures dancing
to celebrate a birth or mourn a death. In later years, social dance continued to
develop and evolve, mingling the dances of other cultures such as the Middle
East, Africa, and Europe.
Development of Ballroom Social Dance
The early social dances of the fourteenth to mid-sixteenth centuries involved
processional dances with subtle, relatively simple steps. The dances usually
involved couples interacting with each other, or long lines of dancers. The dances
were lively, filled with flirtations, conversations, and even "poaching," where
partners would switch in the middle of the dance.
Seventeenth Century:
The Waltz
It began in Vienna, where, by focusing on the graceful movements of the couple

instead of large group patterns, the Waltz set people free from the restricted
movements and set poses of the earlier courtly dances. However, it also was
considered "riotous” and “indecent" well into the 19th century, which only
proved to make it even more popular.
Late Eighteen Century

In England and the United States the late eighteenth century witnessed a
beginning of a blend between the rigid group dances and the intense coupled
dances like the Waltz. Called "contra dances," "cotillions" or just "square dances,"
the lively music would include "calling," as the moves were announced just before
they happened. The flirting and partner-swapping made these amazingly social
happenings, and they survived into the modern day.
Dance forms in Nineteenth Century
During the early part of the nineteenth century, group dances remained
extremely popular. The English Country Dance grew more popular throughout the
first half of the nineteenth century. In addition to the Waltz, there were many
other popular dances of the period, including:
• Scottish Reel and the Quadrille
• Polka
• Pavan
• Mazurka
• Polonaise
• Two Step, referred to as the Washington Post
As the century came to a close, the influence of African-based dance grew as
dances such as the Cakewalk and South American forms such as the Argentine
Tango were introduced to audiences in the United States.
Social Dance:
Twentieth Century
The twentieth century was "scandalous" according to many, with its dances using
strong rhythms and strutting style, starting when a modified version of the
Cakewalk found its way into the stately ballroom dancing of the time. The dances
reflected the freedom felt by the people, freed from the dress constraints of the
earlier years, and the growing role of women in the work force. Dances such as
the Turkey Trot, the Grizzly Bear and the Bunny Hug included a lot of hugging,
swaying and grinding to the strong rhythms of the music.
Present Day Social Dances
Thanks to advances in media, social dancing has remained one of the most
popular pastimes of people all over the world. Ballroom dancing can be found in
Moscow, blues legend Buddy Guy in Japan, and Tango in Madison, Wisconsin.
New forms such as hip hop dancing and contact improvisational jams are
becoming the new social dances, but the older forms from medieval times, as well
as their descendants, are still immensely popular.
Some Kind of Social Dances:
Cha-cha
Is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance. The light and bubbly feel of the Cha-
cha gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world. The Cha-cha
requires small steps and lots of hip motion (Cuban motion), as it is danced in 4/4
time. The fourth beat is split into two, giving it the characteristic 2, 3, 4 and 1
rhythm. Therefore, five steps are danced to four beats as in the "One, two, cha
cha-cha" rhythm.
Samba
Before Samba became a ballroom dance style, there were many styles of partner
dances as well as solo Samba dances. As with the solo Samba, partner ballroom
Samba has a quick beat that requires fast footwork. Over the years, the Samba
has incorporated elaborate tricks, turns, and acrobatic feats into its basic set of
figures. The main characteristics of the Samba are rapid steps taken on quarter
beats and a rocking, swaying motion of the dancers.
Foxtrot
A beautiful, romantic dance, the Foxtrot is composed of fairly simple walking

steps and side steps. The dance combines slow steps, which use two beats of
music, and quick steps, which use one beat of music. The footwork timing is
usually "slow, quick, quick" or "slow, slow, quick, quick." The Foxtrot must be
danced very smoothly, with no jerking of the body. Timing is also a very important
component of the Foxtrot. As the Foxtrot is more challenging than other styles of
dance, it is usually recommended to master the Waltz and Quickstep prior to
attempting it.
Mambo
The Mambo uses a 4/4 beat and are similar in rhythm to the slower Bolero. The
basic Mambo combination is counted as "quick-quick-slow," with the foot moving
on the second beat. On the third beat, the weight shifts to the other foot,
returning to the original foot on the fourth beat. Dancers swing their hips through
each step, creating a fluid motion and a sensuous atmosphere.
Waltz
The Waltz is a smooth dance that travels around the line of dance. Characterized
by its "rise and fall" action, the Waltz includes a step, slide, and step in 3/4 time.
Dancers should move their shoulders smoothly, parallel with the floor instead of
up and down. Dancers must strive to lengthen each step. On the first beat of the
music, a step is taken forward on the heel, then onto the ball of the foot with a
gradual rise to the toes, continuing on to the second and third beats of the music.
At the end of the third beat, the heel is lowered to the floor to the starting
position.
Rumba
The Rumba is a very slow, serious, romantic dance with flirtation between the
partners. The dance is fun to watch, as many of its basic dance figures of the
dance have a teasing theme in which the lady flirts with and then rejects her male
partner, often with apparent sexual aggression. The Rumba spotlights the lady's
rhythmic body movements and hip actions resulting in intense, almost steamy,
scenes of passion.
Jive
Jive and East Coast Swing share many figures, as well as the same music style and
tempo. The basic look and feel of Jive is lots and lots of energy, with the legs
portraying a pumping action. Both the East Coast Swing and basic Jive consist of
two triple steps and a rock step. The Jive differs in that the count begins with the
rock step, which is counted "1, 2." The two triple steps are counted "3 and 4" and
"5 and 6."
Tango
One of the most fascinating of all dances, the tango is a sensual ballroom dance
that originated in South America in the early twentieth century. Tango is usually
performed by a man and a woman, expressing an element of romance in their
synchronized movements. Originally, the tango was performed only by women,
but once it spread into Argentina, it developed into a dance for couples. The
popularity of the tango has greatly increased over the years. Argentine Tango is
much more intimate than Modern Tango, and is well-suited to dancing in small
settings. Argentine Tango retains the intimacy of the original.

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SOCIAL DANCE

Social dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles,

It began in Vienna, where, by focusing on the graceful movements of the couple

Late Eighteen Century

Some Kind of Social Dances:

A beautiful, romantic dance, the Foxtrot is composed of fairly simple walking

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