Latin & Ballroom Dance Lessons in London

This Social version of the classical Foxtrot is the easiest and quickest of dances to initially learn. It offers the foundation steps to so many other dances. The social foxtrot teaches individuals the confidence in moving forward, back, side as well as closing the feet and changing weight. All sounds very simple yet when asked to do these simple moves to music and with a partner proves to be quite a challenge in the early days. Today, the Social Foxtrot is being danced to popular musical standards such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra right through to current hits such as Duffy and Coldplay. With it being such a versatile dance it leads very naturally into a variety of steps with just a minimal amount of tuition. Basic Rhythm: Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick

Slow ballads or instrumental music in 3/4 time. Originating as so many dances do as a folk dance, Waltz is said to be born in the 17th century in the suburbs of Austria and Bavaria. By the eighteenth century, this dance had grown in popularity and spread quickly throughout Europe. States and churches were up in arms – it was seen as a vulgar and immoral form of dance as it was the first time society was experiencing the man holding the lady so close! To date, the Waltz still remains one of the best known of all social dances which is testimony to it’s lasting appeal. The popular image of a man and woman, arm in arm, circling the dance floor, eyes only for each other, still represents the epitome of romance and sophistication. The grace and flavour of the waltz seems to remind us of happier times, when life was calm and love was sweet. The Waltz is a dance of a world that is easier to understand. rally into a variety of steps with just a minimal amount of tuition. Basic Rhythm: 123 123 (Strong accent on 1)

Medium tempo orchestral, often march-like. The Tango is said to have been formed around the 19th century in the city of Buenos Aires, where poverty, depression and sorrow saw entertainment in the form of music and dance distract folks from their sad feelings. At that time such different cultures had migrated there from as far away as Europe and Africa, and each added their own cultural ways from African beats, Latin influences, Indian Rhythms and the popular music of the pampas (flatlands) in Argentina which when fused together formed the new music dubbed Tango. It was a dance of the prostitute and pimp, creating movements of emotional expression and suggestive gyration. Of course over time this dance became less obscene but two important ingredients remain to this day; the background music of the bandoneon (a German instrument similar to the accordion), and the passionate expression of emotions into this dance. Tango holds to itself a very unique character which sets it apart from all of the other dances. Staccato actions, dramatic gestures and quick snaps of the head from one position to another giving an appeal to this dance which so many wish to experience today. Basic Rhythm: Quick-Quick-Slow-Slow

Fast music in 3/4 or 6/8 time, often classical such as Strauss Waltzes. The idea of dashing Prussian officers and their ladies cavorting around the ballrooms at ever-increasing speeds to the music of Johann Strauss is still a powerful image today. Born out of the traditional slow Waltz, the Viennese Waltz holds many similarities from it’s historical foundations but the speed and manner in which it was being danced strongly impacted itself in the public’s imagination and became undeniably a very popular dance to enjoy. The challenges of this dance still remain to this day with never ending turns around the dance floor, first one way then the other and often resulting in dizziness and misbalance when being attempted for the first time! Only a few steps exist in this dance; Natural turns, Reverse turns, Change steps and a Fleckerl – but they leave so many bedazzled that such simple steps can create so much of a challenge, yet a great deal of fun to experience. Basic Rhythm: 123 123 (strong accent on 1)

Medium-slow jazz/swing music. Born out of the Ragtime era and synonymous to one man named Harry Fox came the Foxtrot in 1913. California saw this dance born when Harry Fox realized the strict moral code of the day placed great restrictions on the movement of his alluringly dressed ‘beauties’. Only being allowed in frozen tableaux positions Fox invented a dance which allowed him to move around them! Beginning with a slow walk over two beats he would then break into short ‘trots’ on one beat . This allowed him to finish sandwiched between his beauties. It ultimately became the most popular and lasting dance of the twentieth century, but not before going through many stylistic changes. But it wasn’t until the early 30s that Foxtrot began to take on a smoother and more flowing quality in contrast to the new and exciting Latin dances hitting the scene. A modified version called the Slow Foxtrot was evolved by the English, and is the technical basis for the version we now have today. Long flowing and graceful steps across the dance floor will initially look easy to master yet will soon prove to be one of the hardest of the Ballroom dances to perfect for those wishing to push this dance to a higher level. Basic Rhythm: Slow-Quick-Quick

Up-tempo jazz/swing music. The QuickTime Foxtrot and Charleston would fuse together in time and bring us a dance offering speed, body flight, flare and daring tempo changes known as the Quickstep. With Foxtrot and Quickstep having common origins the Twenties saw many bands playing the slow Foxtrot too fast which soon lead to the Quickstep breaking away and finding it’s own fast characteristic style. With the Charleston fever offering a lot of influence to this dance around 1925 the English then developed it as a progressive dance without kicks and mixed in the fast Foxtrot steps. There was a debate as to why this dance became so popular in Britain. It has been thought that the Quickstep was the Brit’s answer to ‘keeping warm indoors’ during the winter. However it is a proven fact that the energy exerted while dancing a 60 second Quickstep is equivalent to running a mile in record time!! If ever there was a dance to challenge your fitness levels this is the one! Basic Rhythm: Slow-Quick-Quick

Medium-tempo Latin music. An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950s. The Cha Cha Cha gets it’s name and character from it’s distinct repetitive foot rhythm. Born out of Cuba and said to have got it’s name from the sound of Cuban slippers as they scratched along the dance floor this dance became the biggest Latin craze to follow in the footsteps of the Mambo. With a faster rhythm than the Mambo, the Cha Cha Cha’s mix of rolling hips left little room for physical contact, and it fed into the public demand for solo dancing that was evolving. Solo or in partnership, short steps, strong hip actions, tight mini skirts and that cheeky sassy feel. In the cramped conditions of the hot and sultry clubs of Cuba to the English ballrooms in Europe, invited young dancers looking for a good time out. A full circle in time has been seen now as in the most hip and trendiest of clubs today people are seen marking out the steps of this dance to anything from a Perez Prado authentic groove to the hip songs from Led Zeppelin to U2. Basic Rhythm: 2, 3, 4&1, 2, 3, 4&1 (Accent on count 1)

Medium tempo Brazilian Latin music with strong downbeat. It’s hard to believe that this flamboyant, festive and carnival dance sought it’s roots as a ritual dance style by the stamping of feet for the god of war. One of the many gods, Caboclo, had a style known as Samba, which was brought over to Brazil through African cultures and traditions. The samba became the secular face of the Candomble ritual. In the aftermath of the abolition of slavery at the end of the nineteenth century, the Candomble and the Samba spread across the country. The Samba made it’s way into the carnival at the beginning of the 20th century appearing on the streets about 1917. Samba schools battle it out even to this day to come first in this contest. As a result we see living expressions of Brazilian culture and history filling the streets with lavish mosaics of colours of their nation’s hope and aspirations. A dance full of bounce, soft knees, dramatic expressions and variety of rhythmical interpretations brings an image of colour and carnival to the dance floor which sees even the meekest beginner feel a desire to jump onto the dance floor and have a go. Basic Rhythm: 1 a2 1 a2 (accent on downbeat)

Slow Latin ballad. The origins of the rumba are closely related to the origins of the Samba. Both were born of an African tradition and transplanted to the new world. In Cuba there came to be as many forms of the Rumba as there are provinces. In Havana and other urban centres it became a vibrant couple’s dance; however distinct characters remained throughout all these styles, sensuality, vigorous hip movement and insistent rhythmic accompaniment. Characteristics of the man moving like a sexual predator, while the woman counters with defensive and coquettish moves brings together a pantomime of imitation much like the Tango. A slow-tomedium tempo Latin American dance characterised by sensual, provocative movements and gestures, Latin-style hip motion and playful, flirtatious interplay between man and lady. Who wouldn’t want to have a go? Basic Rhythm: 2 3 4 (1), 2 3 4 (1)

Dramatic Latin ‘Bullfight’ music – frequently a song entitled España Cañi. Here we see a dance full of energy, assertive and powerful. It is argued it’s origins are as a Spanish folk dance but in the early 1930s amongst the upper class Parisians it became extremely popular and acquired many French names for steps in the technique books of today. It was in the 1920s that a choreographed bullfight pantomime appeared. Here, the Paso Doble was the bullfight performed as a dance. The man played the Torero, the woman the red cloth, the ‘Capa’, or the ‘Muleta’ – and not the bull! This performing way of dancing became a great novelty of that time. The name Paso Doble in Spanish means ‘Two Step’ but more importantly it is known as ‘the dance of the master’. The tension of his body can be felt by the audience and is decisive for it’s aesthetic appeal. The woman, on the other hand, behaves toward him with a kind of self-confident distance, being lithe, agile and elegant at the same time. But also the lady takes on a dominant role in some figures, much like in the Flamenco. The dance today is mainly seen in international competition throughout the world being the fourth dance in an event. Such influences as Flamenco dance have brought further depths to this strong and very exciting dance. Basic Rhythm: March (one step per beat)

Very fast swing music.The Jive was originally the UK’s version of the American Jitterbug and East Coast Swing during World War II. American soldiers brought these dances to Europe around 1940, where they swiftly found a following among the young. Young being the key word here as it was in North America that the ‘teenager’ had arrived and was enjoying the rebellious actions of their screen heroes, James Dean and Marlon Brando. Anywhere there was a radio, youngsters would be seen Jitterbugging, Jiving and gyrating. Words such as Swing, Be-Bop, Rock n’ Roll, and Jitterbug sum up one clear picture; a high energy, pulsating, lively, action packed and fun filled dance to be enjoyed. Today the Jive is danced around the world in professional competitions in the International Style Latin division as the fifth and final dance. It is the one dance that will separate the men from the boys! Basic Rhythm: 1 2, 1 a2, 1 a2

Up-tempo Latin music. The Mambo dance originated in Cuba where there were substantial settlements of Haitians. In the back country of Haiti, the ‘Mambo’ is a voodoo priestess, who serves the villagers as counsellor, healer, exorcist, soothsayer, spiritual advisor, and organiser of public entertainment. However, we see no folk dance in Haiti called the ‘Mambo’. The fusion of Swing and Cuban music produced this fascinating rhythm and in turn created this new sensational dance. The Mambo’s ragged rhythm and relatively simple steps made it an ideal dance for the North American public eager for some fun at the height of the Cold War. The ‘Mambo’ dance is attributed to Perez Prado who introduced it at La Tropicana nightclub in Havana in 1943. Since then other Latin American band leaders such as Tito Rodriquez, Pupi Campo, Tito Puente, Machito and Xavier Cugat have achieved styles of their own and furthered the Mambo craze. With Mambo there comes great music and with great music there comes great dance. With hot and exciting Latin American rhythms to dance the night away to, why wouldn’t you want to have a go? Basic Rhythm: 2 3 4 (1), 2 3 4 (1)

Up-tempo Latin music. Salsa is not easily defined. Who invented salsa? The Cubans, Puerto Ricans? Salsa is a distillation of many Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances. Each played a large part in it’s evolution. To understand Salsa we must return to Cuba and the origins of the Rumba. Salsa is similar to Mambo in that both have a pattern of six steps danced over eight counts of music. The dances share many of the same moves. In Salsa, turns have become an important feature, so the overall look and feel is quite different from those of Mambo. Mambo moves generally forward and backward, whereas Salsa has more of a side to side feel. Today, like it’s sister, Mambo is a dance just about everyone wants to at least have one go at. Whether at a wedding or the local Salsa bar it is one of the most crazed dances of the 21st century. Those who went along for a night of fun at a local Salsa bar now find themselves regularly attending. This in turn has lead to many young couples sourcing a dance studio in their area to enjoy further dances alike. Basic Rhythm: Quick-Quick-Slow

Medium tempo orchestral. The Argentine Tango spread to Europe in the early 20th Century when wealthy Argentineans moved to Paris, and by 1913 it had become a worldwide phenomenon. Due to its risqué nature, a ‘cleaned up’ version of the dance was created and this became known as the more acceptable Ballroom Tango. However, this dance is more sensual and intimate than the Ballroom Tango. The couple’s upper bodies should remain close together and their lower bodies apart. Quite often, the lady will even rest her head on the man’s chest or their faces will be very nearly touching. The Argentine Tango is about the relationship between man and woman and can be expressed in either of the following ways: It can turn into a battle of wills with the man and woman using different ways to triumph. Alternatively it can be a dance of two people becoming one (often these routines look as if the couple has become one being with four legs). Using choreography which involves ‘decorations’ whereby the lady will move her ankles up and down the mans leg or the man will ‘sandwich’ the ladies foot has brought this dance right into the 21st century as one everyone wants to experience. Basic Rhythm: Slow-Slow

Fast Swing Music. With the fusion of jump blues, jive dance and the great teenage identity, the 1950s gave birth to the generation of Rock n’ Roll. There are so many myths around where the name Rock n’ Roll came from but the greatest answer has to be simply as it describes... music to dance to! When the great songs ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ or ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ hit the music stands it became impossible for the young teenagers to stand still. With such strong accented beats demanding everyone present to stand up and move whether it be in the dancehalls or doing what was soon to become the trend... Rocking and rolling at home with friends. Today, we still see this dance as one to get up to. Taking simple rock steps from one foot to another, swinging the ladies under the arm and around the man’s back brings a lot of fun to the dance floor. At first sight a very casual dance but once experienced it proves to be a highly energized and very active dance to enjoy. Basic Rhythm: Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick