Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance.
Some resources for the ballroom dancers
Here are complete resources for International Standard and American Standard ballroom styles.
James Joseph published Every Man's Survival Guide to Ballroom Dancing, a great book and website that introduces the basics, counting music, and various figures.
I skimped on dance shoes for many years. When I finally purchased some, I regretted waiting so long. The shoes give me more comfort, support, spring and turning ability. Find affordable ballroom dance shoes:
Here are some instructional videos of International and American Social Ballroom dance. But beware, there are some differences between these videos and what your local instructor will teach you.
Round dancing is ballroom dancing to cues, where a complete song is choreographed and the figures are called by a cuer. Learn more here .
Did you know... In a 2016 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, it was concluded that ballroom dancing, as well as other forms of social dancing, can help prevent the onset of dementia in elderly patients. Read more...
To help dancers practice at home, here is a selection of music to practice each dance style:
Rumba:
The Rumba dance originated in Cuba and draws influence from Spanish and African dances. The International Rumba is a romantic sensuous dance with a count of Quick-Quick-Slow. The rock and recover action accentuates the hip movement. We dance the Rumba to slow four-beat music in the latin, soft rock, pop genres.
Cha Cha:
Originating from Cuba, the Cha Cha dance style is upbeat and energetic. It is versatile and adaptable to latin, pop, soft rock, and country-western music. The International count of one, two, cha-cha-cha shares the triple step or chassé with the Triple Swing.
Mambo:
Jive / Triple Swing:
The Triple Swing dance evolved from the swing and lindy hop dance styles in the 1940s. It is high energy, lots of fun, and very versatile. We can dance Triple Swing to classic rock, soft rock, country rock, and pop music. The count of one, two, three-ah-four, five-ah-six keeps us hopping and mixing all kinds of creative figures.
Waltz:
Foxtrot:
Samba:
Bachata:
We are now demonstrating the Bachata, danced to typical music from the Dominican Republic. It is a count of 4 beats: 1, 2, 3, touch, and then we return on the other foot. It offers lots of hip movement and a solid feeling of the beat of the song. Romeo Santos - Propuesta Indecente
Tango:
Here is the International Tango, originating from Buenos Ares and popular throughout the latin countries. With a distinctive count of Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick-Slow, the dance is intense and sensual. The couple adopts a three-point frame with the shoulders and the hips.
James Joseph published Every Man's Survival Guide to Ballroom Dancing, a great book and website that introduces the basics, counting music, and various figures.
I skimped on dance shoes for many years. When I finally purchased some, I regretted waiting so long. The shoes give me more comfort, support, spring and turning ability. Find affordable ballroom dance shoes:
- in Embrun at Boutique Joma.
- in Ottawa at Taggerwear.
- in Moose Creek at Vimi Shoes.
Here are some instructional videos of International and American Social Ballroom dance. But beware, there are some differences between these videos and what your local instructor will teach you.
Round dancing is ballroom dancing to cues, where a complete song is choreographed and the figures are called by a cuer. Learn more here .
Did you know... In a 2016 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, it was concluded that ballroom dancing, as well as other forms of social dancing, can help prevent the onset of dementia in elderly patients. Read more...
To help dancers practice at home, here is a selection of music to practice each dance style:
Rumba:
The Rumba dance originated in Cuba and draws influence from Spanish and African dances. The International Rumba is a romantic sensuous dance with a count of Quick-Quick-Slow. The rock and recover action accentuates the hip movement. We dance the Rumba to slow four-beat music in the latin, soft rock, pop genres.
- Céline Dion - Falling into you.
- Al Green - Let's Stay Together.
- Ben E King - Stand By Me.
Cha Cha:
Originating from Cuba, the Cha Cha dance style is upbeat and energetic. It is versatile and adaptable to latin, pop, soft rock, and country-western music. The International count of one, two, cha-cha-cha shares the triple step or chassé with the Triple Swing.
- Yvonne - Chaka Chaka.
- Boney M - The Rivers of Babylon.
- Abba - Take a Chance on Me.
- Daniela Romo - Todo Todo.
Mambo:
- Queen - We Will Rock You.
- Lou Bega - Mambo #5.
- David Jordan - Sun Goes Down.
Jive / Triple Swing:
The Triple Swing dance evolved from the swing and lindy hop dance styles in the 1940s. It is high energy, lots of fun, and very versatile. We can dance Triple Swing to classic rock, soft rock, country rock, and pop music. The count of one, two, three-ah-four, five-ah-six keeps us hopping and mixing all kinds of creative figures.
- Neil Sedaka - Calendar Girl.
- Buddy Holly - That'll Be the Day.
- Abba - Dancing Queen.
- Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel.
Waltz:
- Anne Murray - The Tennessee Waltz.
- Anne Murray - Could I have This Dance.
- Dana Glover - It Is You I Have Loved.
- Andy Williams - Wonderful World of the Young.
Foxtrot:
- Henri Mancini - The Pink Panther Theme Song.
- Fred Ebb - New York New York.
- Crystal Gayle - Don't it Make my Brown Eyes Blue.
- Doris Day - Fly me to the Moon.
Samba:
- Céline Dion - I'm Alive.
- Ne-Yo - So Sick.
- Gloria Estafan - You'll be Mine (Party Time)
- Jennifer Lopez - Ain't it Funny!
Bachata:
We are now demonstrating the Bachata, danced to typical music from the Dominican Republic. It is a count of 4 beats: 1, 2, 3, touch, and then we return on the other foot. It offers lots of hip movement and a solid feeling of the beat of the song. Romeo Santos - Propuesta Indecente
Tango:
Here is the International Tango, originating from Buenos Ares and popular throughout the latin countries. With a distinctive count of Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick-Slow, the dance is intense and sensual. The couple adopts a three-point frame with the shoulders and the hips.
- Cher - Burlesque