Standard
Dances
International Standard is danced in closed position only where the Lady's right hand is in the gentleman's left, her left hand is on his right shoulder, and his right hand is on her shoulder blade. The couple never separates nor dance side-by-side which is common in the American Smooth style. The dances are pretty much the same as the American Smooth with one more dance added, the Quickstep. Strict technique and keeping the frame is key in competitions.
Considered the mother
of present day dances, the Waltz began in southern
Germany in the 17th century. The popularity of the
Waltz dance grew with the music of Johann Strauss
and eventually blossomed in the 20th century. It is
the basis for many dances and is popular today all
over the world. The basic components of Waltz are
walking steps and side steps. "Rise and Fall" and
"Body Sway" are some of the styling characteristics
which make the simplest Waltz steps and patterns
elegant and beautiful. A sentimental and romantic
dance, it is characterized by soft and round
movements and its swing and flow.
The
gauchos (cowboys) of Argentina wore chaps that
hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse's
body, causing them to walk with flexed knees. Of a
night they would go to crowded night clubs and ask
ladies of the night to dance but since the gaucho
hadn't showered, the lady would dance in the crook
of the man's right arm, holding her head back. Her
right hand was held low on his left hip, close to
his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with
him. No rise and fall in the steps. This should be
a very level, flat dance. The legs are therefore
always slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be
slightly bent at all times).
During the summer of
1914, actor Harry Fox was appearing in shows in New
York with Yansci Dolly, in an act of Hammerstein's.
Soon people at the Jardin de Danse on the roof of
the New York Theater began copying the act that
Harry was putting on downstairs, leading them to
refer to the dance as "Fox's Trot." The foxtrot is
a very smooth dance and there should be no
jerkiness. It is a dance with many continuously
forward or backward moving patterns which are
straight and well aligned on the competition floor.
It is called the Rolls Royce of the standard
dancing styles because the smoothness that is
required. The timing is very important. It should
be: slow, quick, quick, slow. The dancers should
drive off on the slow and let the quicks take care
of themselves. This makes it a very difficult
dance.
The
Waltz developed in Central Europe from the Austrian
dance known as the Landler. The fast whirling of
partners held as if in an embrace shocked polite
society. The music of Johann Strauss and the famous
ballrooms of Vienna popularized the faster version
known as the Viennese Waltz.
During
the 1920s, many bands played the Quickstep too fast
and some couples couldn't keep up. Over time, a
faster version was born, absorbing extra elements
of ragtime such as the Charleston. This led to the
creation of what we today call the Quickstep. This
is a light, bright, twinkling and happy dance with
tricky footwork. Quite sporty in its delivery as it
is very springy and fast paced. The basic feel is
slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. The
majority of the slow should be taken on the heel;
the majority of the quick should be taken on the
toe.
International Standard is danced in closed position only where the Lady's right hand is in the gentleman's left, her left hand is on his right shoulder, and his right hand is on her shoulder blade. The couple never separates nor dance side-by-side which is common in the American Smooth style. The dances are pretty much the same as the American Smooth with one more dance added, the Quickstep. Strict technique and keeping the frame is key in competitions.
Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Viennese Waltz
Quickstep
Please feel free to give us a call 617-492-2122 or send us an email for any questions.