Dancin' Around Studio teaches all the most popular styles
of social dancing as well as traditional ballroom dances. The following
is a brief description of a wide variety of dance styles we teach in
our group classes and private lessons.
American Tango
A Latin style dance that originated in Argentina and was adapted for
American style Ballroom dancing. It is characterized by its provocative
figures, catlike walking action, and staccatto (sharp) head movements.
Bachata
The Bachata is sometimes referred to as the "blues
music of the Dominican Republic." It's music is usually romantic
and grew out of the Bolero, but with time, became influenced by Merengue.
The basic footwork pattern is three steps in one direction and then
a hip motion. Then repeat other side. As with other Latin dances, the
character of the dance is achieved through sensual hip and body movements.
Ballroom Waltz
The most popular ballroom dance in the world.
Waltz has a slow easy-to-hear 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm (3/4 time) and can
be danced to music found in nearly all music genres, including rock,
country, pop, and classical.
Cha Cha
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 rhythm (cha cha cha).
East Coast Swing
A triple-step Swing derived from Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, making
use of refined (American Style) ballroom technique that is typically
danced to jump blues or to country swing songs.
Foxtrot
Foxtrot is a smooth dance introduced in 1913 by Harry Fox.
It is characterized by smooth, walking-style movements and can be adapted
to fit a variety of musical tempi and style, or to fit onto small, crowded
nightclub dance floors..
Hustle
Hustle is a fast but smooth-moving dance which originated
in the nightclubs during the 1970's disco era, as a modified version
of swing. Hustle is the perfect dance for dance-beat, nightclub music
including everything from pop to rap and hip hop.
Merengue
An energetic Latin-style marching dance with Cuban hip
motion that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is now a subset
of the modern club-style Salsa dances.
Nightclub
A slow, romantic social dance, similar in movement to
the Bossa Nova, first introduced in the 80's and popular amongst the
West Coast Swing crowd. It is mostly danced to slow love songs and ballads.
Polka
This fast and lively dance is of Polish origin, but is
now very popular in the Country Western clubs. It is characterized by
triple steps.
Rumba
Rumba is a slow to medium tempo Latin American dance which
is characterized by sensual, provocative movements and gestures, Cuban
hip motion, and playful and flirtatious interplay between the man and
lady.
Salsa
A popular Latin nightclub dance which evolved as a modified
form of Mambo. Salsa displays a lot of shakin', shimmying,
and hip action.
Samba
A fun, rhythmical Brazilian dance which has been adapted
for modern Ballroom dancing. Samba is noted for it's distinct style
of movement, which incorporates both Latin hip motion and the signature
"Samba Bounce".
Triple Two Step
A very popular Country Western dance that incorporates triple
steps and walking steps and includes variations of Swing and Two Step
into its smooth peppy movement.
(Texas) Two Step
The most popular style of Country Western dancing. It is characterized
by multiple underarm turns executed while swiftly traveling along the
line of dance.
Viennese Waltz
This dance was born in the suburbs of Vienna and in the
alpine region of Austria in the 1700’s. Like the slow waltz, it uses
¾ time music, but the tempo is much faster. It is great for fast ballroom
Waltz music or fast Country Waltz music.
West Coast Swing
A cool, sexy, slotted swing dance that spotlights the lady
and is characterized by its smooth and linear style. This dance is perfect
for nightclubs because it can be danced to many styles of music including
pop, rap, blues, big band, disco, country and dance-beat techno.