Ballroom Classics
Foxtrot
Fox's Trot as it was originally known emerged in America in 1914 with Harry Fox who introduced a trotting style dance using a syncopated rhythm (that is, the 'slow' step) in one of his shows.
Oscar Duryea, a recognized dance instructor of the time had the job of introducing this dance to the American public and added a gliding movement to slow the dance down.
Around the same time, a smooth traveling or continuity style of Foxtrot was adopted in England to suit the more melodious popular music of the time. In America, a 'Closed' or more 'On the Spot' style also evolved to make the dance easier and more practical on crowded dance floors.
The 'Closed' style is an easy dance for beginners while the 'Continuity' style is suited to more advanced dancers - both styles are taught at DanceFix.
Social Foxtrot is often called 'the conversation dance' as it has a casual and relaxed personality. It is characterized by 'Astair' body sway and a relaxed walking movement where the dancer's legs swing from one step to the next.
It can be danced very smoothly or more flamboyantly to give it a cabaret feel.
The Foxtrot is best suited to larger dance floors and slow to medium tempo music including Jazz, Swing, Cabaret and the Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra style tunes.
Waltz
The waltz originated in the folk dances of Bavaria and was introduced to English Ballrooms in the early 19th century. A very close dance hold was necessary as the original fast tempo or 'Viennese' waltz was comprised of a series of very fast turns.
Its funny to note that the dance was seen as terribly raunchy at the time, with the man's hand around the lady's waist and chest to chest contact.
As Waltz music evolved into slower tempos, so the 'Modern' & 'Continuity' styles of Waltz came into being.
The Modern Waltz has a sophisticated & dignified personality, all about romance, elegance & class.
The dance is identifiable by its body sway, rise & fall & poise. Done well, the Waltz is a thing of beauty as dancers appear to float around the floor.
This dance requires a large floor to do it justice & can only be danced to music with a 3/4 time signature - this often means hunting down some classics as modern waltz music is rare.
​Tango
The ballroom style of Tango bears little resemblance to the original Argentine Tango from which it evolved. Argentine Tango was introduced in Paris around 1912 and into New York soon after. Simplified and more 'socially acceptable' styles of the dance developed and became extremely popular across Europe and America through the late teens and early 20's.
The English (International) style came into being around 1922 and added simplified steps, sharper staccato movements and head snaps. This influence provided the distinct personality and characteristic appearance we recognize as Ballroom Tango today (e.g. as seen in movies such as 'Scent of a Woman' and 'True Lies').
Its sophisticated, tense and dramatic personality combined with its asymmetrical step patterns & powerful music have made this an ongoing favourite.
Ballroom Tango is best danced to slow to medium tempo music with a constant, pronounced 8 count Tango rhythm (slow, slow, quick, quick, slow).
It is best suited to larger dance floors.