Ballroom dance Grade 12 2nd Quarter

By Michaelfoskett - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32724486

Ballroom dance is a type of European partner-dance, that started as popular social and other forms of entertainment around the world. 

It is also performed on stage, film, and television.

At the broadest definition, ballroom dance can be referred to as any recreational social dancing with a partner. 

Now, however, with the advent of Dance sport), two principal schools have produced recognized versions: 

The term is used more narrowly to refer to those dances from that time.

Social dance has probably existed in some form since the beginning of the human existence. This simply a group of dancing for entertainment or pleasure and recreation. Most of the dances are grouped and ceremonial rites categorized from three basic aspects of human existence: food, sexual impulse and relationship with the spirit world. 

During the Renaissance Period and the 16th century, social dance became more firmly ensconced in the courts with partners constantly changing, filling the ballroom with emerged square formation like the cotillion and quadrille, where dancers systematically dressed up in formal attire.

Advancing technology and two world wars so continuously restructured life in the 20th century that social dance has been changing constantly. The flapper was born as well as the Charleston, the Jitterbug, burst from the swing improvisation by late 1930s and and 1940s.

Ballroom dancing originated in England in the 18th and 19th century's balls and social events. While these parties were attended only by the affluent, by the late 19th and late 20th century, ballroom became a popular to the general public too.

The word, "BALL" is derived from the Latin word, "BOLARE" meaning, "TO DANCE". The word, "BALLROOM" denotes a room where the balls may be held, that is, formal social dances. Ball were important social events in the days before radio and television. Ballroom competitions became popular in the 20s and the Ballroom Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing was formed. Its mission was to standardized the music, steps, and technique of ballroom dancing everywhere.

Dance competitions have kept ballroom dancing alive and popular. It is interesting that in the 1995 Olympic Committee granted provisional recognition to Ballroom Dancing or "DANCESPORTs". The internationally recognized world Ballroom Dancing Championship is the BRITISH OPEN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, held annually in Black Pool England.

Common Dance Term, Holds and Positions in Ballroom Dancing

1.Amalgation - a combination of two or more pattern of movements.

2.Amateur dancer - a person to whom dancing is a hobby and who does not seek financial gain from teaching or performing the dance.

3. Arm styling - position and movement of the arm, reflecting the style of the character and the style of the dancer.

4. Basic figure - a standardized step pattern which, together with other patterns and movements which make up the basics of the dance.

5. Choreography - a creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements constitute the basics of dance.

6. Combination - a group of consecutive patterns and choreography. Similar to amalgation but sometimes involving a slightly more advanced set of patterns.

7. Continuity Movement - the continuous passing of the feet form one step to the next

8. Dance Sport - the official name given to the sport of competitive ballroom dancing , relates to the more athletic form of ballroom dancing.

9. Drop - a theatrical type of movement in which the follower's body weight is partially  or completely supported by the leader while at least one part of the follower's body body remains in contact with the floor.

10 Figure - a standardized step pattern that, together with the other patterns, constitute this dance.

11. Floor craft - the ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor in a skilled and controlled manner as to avoid with the other dancers.

12. Following - the ability of the follower to react correctly to the signals given by the leader through physical and visual connections.

13. Formation Team - a group of three or more dancers who perform ballroom style routines.

14. Hip Motion -  a very general term to mean any type of hip movement used in Latin Dancing

15. Line Dancing - A type of non-partner dancing where everyone starts in the line and learns a set pattern that repeats over and over again throughout the music

16. Lift - A theatrical type of movement in which the follower's body weight is completely supported by the leader held aloft.

17. Natural Turn - any dance pattern that turns right.

18. Step - frequently used to mean the same figure or pattern.

19. Variation - a varied or more advanced pattern that the corresponding basic figure which contains the same main elements

20. Leading - effective communication of intended actions by the leader through the use of leader's own body movements and through one or more physical or visual connections to the follower.