Dances

Here is a brief description of many of the popular dances we teach here at Steps In Time.

Jive
Jive is the international version of Swing. In spite of its fast tempo, Jive is still danced in triple-rhythm.

Mambo
A fast Latin dance, the Mambo is similar to the Salsa, which comes from Cuba. The Mambo was brought to America in the 1940's and 1950's. Most of the movements emphasize the second beat in the measure, suggestive of the Clave rhythm, which is fundamental to Mambo music.

Salsa
A popular Latin nightclub dance, which evolved as a modified form of the Mambo.

Samba
A rhythmical Brazilian dance, which has been adapted for modern Ballroom dancing. Tehe Samba is noted for it's distinct style of movement, which incorporates both Latin hip motion and the signature "Samba Bounce."

Paso Doble
A dramatic French-Spanish, Flamenco-style march, the Paso Doble is the man portraying the matador in a bullfight and the lady as his cape. The Paso Doble is usually danced to España Cani, the Spanish Gypsy Dance.

Polka
A fast and lively Bohemian dance of Polish and German origin, danced to traditional German "oom-pah" music in 2-4 time. Three steps and a hop characterize the basic movement.

Merengue
An energetic Latin-style march, which originated in the Dominican Republic, the Merengue emphasizes a basic 8-count rhythm danced with Cuban Motion. Merengue is now also a subset of the modern, club-style Salsa dances.

Foxtrot
The Foxtrot originated in 1913, in New York City, and was created by Harry Fox. The Foxtrot is characterized by smooth, walking-style movements. It is one of the most versatile of all the ballroom dances, as it can be danced to a wide variety of music with varying tempos.

Waltz
The Waltz originated in Vienna, Austria, to the fast paced music of Strauss. Today the Waltz is slow and graceful, characterized by a rhythmical rise and fall motion. It is a popular dance at weddings and other social events.

Tango
The Tango is a staccato dance, which originated in Argentina and is characterized by catlike walking action and sharp head movements.

Quickstep
An English ballroom dance, the Quickstep is characterized by fast movement, often including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps, and chassés.

Rumba
A medium-tempo Latin American dance, the Rumba is characterized by sensual, provocative movements and gestures, Latin-style hip motion, and playful and flirtatious interplay between the man and lady. It was introduced in this country in the 1920's and 1930's. Rumba is sometimes called the "Latin Waltz."

Swing
There are many forms of Swing: East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, etc. All of them originated in the 1920's with the black community dancing the Charleston and the Lindy Hop to Jazz music. The character is fast, fun, and playful.

Cha Cha
The Cha Cha, originally known as Cha-Cha-Cha, is an exciting, syncopated Latin dance, which originated in the 1950's as a slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name and character from its distinct repetitive foot movements and sound against the floor. It originated in this country in the middle 1950's.

Hustle / Disco
A fast moving dance that grew in the nightclubs of the 1970's disco era, the Hustle is noted for its intricate spins and turns, especially for the lady. It is also very easily adapted to crowded nightclub dance floors.