Our instinct tells us to express rhythm. Just as children bob their heads to music and senior citizens tap their canes to the beat, dancing comes naturally to both young and old alike. Some form of social dancing has probably existed since the beginning of time, moving from ritualistic dancing to social interaction for pure enjoyment. Modern ballroom dancing has withstood the test of time and is now more popular than ever. Both American and International style ballroom dances are divided into the following categories:


Rhythm:
Bolero . Cha-Cha . E Coast Swing . W Coast Swing . Hustle . Lindy Hop . Mambo
Merengue . Polka . Rumba . Salsa . Samba . Two Step


Smooth:
Foxtrot . Tango . Viennese Waltz . Waltz

The Waltz, with its ¾ rhythms and strong accent on the first beat, was born in the suburbs of Vienna. When the dance was first introduced in the early 19th century, people were shocked since it was the first ballroom dance where the man put his hand on a woman's waist! But the Waltz gained in popularity and quickly became one of the most popular of all dances. This easy and flowing dance is still commonly seen at weddings and other social events.

© Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc 2005