Dances Taught at Rigby’s Jig
Very slow romantic Latin Dance The slowest of all Latin dances.
Originally a Spanish dance 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially in 2/4 time then eventually in 4/4. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and subtle percussion effect, usually implemented with Conga or Bongos.
A laid back type of swing danced to beach/shag music in a slot.
This very popular Swing style from Virginia is also found in the Carolinas and even into areas of Georgia. Most often danced to “Beach Music” performed by such groups as the Tams, The Embers, The Drifters, and a wide range of “Motown” recording artists. The dance showcases the man and resembles West Coast Swing with the same slot movement, shuffles, coaster steps, and pronounced lean resulting in roll of the partner movement. The music tempo is slow to medium and can be danced comfortably by all ages.
Very popular Latin dance. Danced to medium-fast music like Santana.
This dance is vibrant, flamboyant and playful with small steps and lots of hip motion. From the less inhibited clubs and dance halls the Mambo underwent subtle changes. It was first known as triple Mambo, and then peculiar scraping and shuffling sounds during the “tripling” produced the imitative sound of Cha, Cha, Cha. This then became a dance in itself. Mambo or triple Mambo, or Cha Cha, as it is now called, is but an advanced state in interpretive social dancing born of the fusion or progressive American and Latin music.
Upbeat rock and swing music, also known as the jitterbug.
A very versatile social dance - the one people think of when they think of Swing Dancing. It originated along the East Coast but is popular all over the US. It is danced to rock & roll, contemporary rock, country swing music and swing music and is characterized by lots of fun turns, kicks and rotations.
A beautiful romantic dance.
It is said by some to have been originated by Harry Fox in 1913 and taken to several levels, which would showcase the late Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. It is now a standard ballroom dance the world over. The foxtrot is smooth and characterized by long flowing movements and serves as a good foundation for social dances in 2/4 or 4/4 time.
A number of similar style disco dances,
which had it’s beginning in the mid 1970’s and enjoys some continuing popularity as a swing style today. The record “Do The Hustle” by Van McCoy, was followed by the movie “Saturday Night Fever”. This movie portrayal of partner dancing by John Travolta to the popular beat of top selling music from the Bee Gees and the introduction to America of the Discotheque setting, popular for some years in Europe, took America by storm. Flashing lights, mirrors everywhere, loud throbbing beat and high fashion were in. Large numbers of popular Disco’s sprang up in every city and everyone was waiting in line to dance.
A choreographed series of steps performed by a group of dancers assembled in a line or rows,
which involves a variety of walking, kicking, swiveling or turning movements done in unison to many different recordings, each song having its own unique patterns.
Line Dancing has become a part of all types of social gatherings sometimes with the help of a DJ’s direction. It started in the late 1970’s after Saturday Night Fever disco line dancing became popular. Additionally, it was great for people without partners. Line Dancing is performed by individuals, groups or “dance teams” and is danced all over the world. Some of the more popular line dances used at parties in recent times are: the “Cupid Shuffle”, “Caballero”, the “Electric Side” and the “Cotton-eyed Joe,” "Macarena", "Tush Push", "Boot Scootin’ Boogie", just to name a few.
The fusion of Swing and Cuban music produced this fascinating rhythm and in turn created a new sensational dance.
This dance has a high energy level, infectious rhythms, flirtatious, and sensuous, passionate and a lot of hip action. The Mambo was originally played as any Rumba with a riff ending. It may be described as a riff or a Rumba with emphasis on the fourth beat in 4/4 time. Originally played with some musicians in 2/4 time with a break or emphasis on 2 and 4. Native Cubans or dancers without any training would break on any beat.
The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic…
and also to some extent, of Haiti, the neighbor sharing the island. There are two popular versions of the origin of the Dominican national dance, the Merengue. One story alleges the dance originated with slaves who were chained together and, of necessity, were forced to drag one leg as they cut sugar to the beat of drums. The second story alleges that a great hero was wounded in the leg during one of the many revolutions in the Dominican Republic. When he was welcomed home, with a victory celebration, everyone felt obliged to limp and drag one foot out of sympathy for him. The Merengue has lots of variety, short, precise rhythms, varying tempos plus it’s fun and easy to learn.
The English version of the Fast Foxtrot,
which involves quick hopping steps, set in the smoother gliding figures. It is very popular in Europe as a competition dance and has the fastest tempo of ballroom dances. When dancing, it appears the feet barley touch the floor. Elegant, smooth and glamorous but very quick!
This dance showcases a “tease and run” theme with the lady flirting and then rejecting her partner.
With all the “steaminess,” the dance can sometimes be quite sensuous and intense. The Rumba was originally a marriage dance. Many of its movements and actions, which seem to have an erotic meaning, are merely depiction of simple farm tasks like the showing of the mare, the climbing of a rope, the courtship of the rooster and the hen, etc. It was done for amusement on the farms of Cuba. However, it became a popular ballroom dance and was introduced in the United States about 1933. It was the Americanized version of the Cuban Son and Danzon. It is in 4/4 time. The characteristic feature is to take each step without initially placing the weight on that step. Steps are made with a slightly bent knee, which, when straightened, causes the hips to sway from side to side in what has come to be known as “Cuban Motion.” Rumba is the spirit and soul of Latin American music and dance.
This is a favored name for a type of Latin music,
which for the most part, has its roots in Cuban culture and is enhanced by jazz textures. The word, Salsa, means sauce denoting a “hot” flavor and is best distinguished from other Latin music styles by defining it as the New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians in New York. The dance structure is largely associated with mambo type patterns and has a particular feeling that is associated mainly with the Clave and the Montuno. The dance is easy, sexy, vibrant and exploding all over the world. It’s also fun and the easiest of Latin dances to learn. Salsa is usually a partner dance, but can be a line dance as well.
Lively – rhythmical but very specific rhythm.
The Brazilian dance was first introduced in 1917 but was finally adopted by Brazilian society in 1930 as a ballroom dance. It is sometimes referred to as a Samba, Carioca, a Baion or a Batucado. The difference is mostly in the tempo played since the steps in all three dances are very similar. The style is to bounce steadily and smoothly in 2/4 meter. They say that the late Carmen Miranda introduced the Samba to the United States in 1939.
An ever popular blend of several African American dances,
which include Lindy and Ragtime Jazz and Blues, as well as all the other dance music to accompanying dances of the past ninety years. Today it generally refers to the ballroom and nightclub version, which is based on two slow and two quick counts or the slow and two quick counts of rhythm dances. Fun, easy and one of the most popular social partner dances.
Dramatic, stalking or sneaking steps, movements are slow and slithery as well as sharp and staccato.
Dance flows in a counter-clockwise movement around the floor. Argentine Tango is more intimate than the other Tangos. However in all, the dances make a strong connection with the music as well as those watching.
The Country Two Step is a simple dance,
more or less double quick march with a skip in each step done as rapidly as the couple can go forward, backward and turning. Still quite popular in many areas of the country. Two Step is a Western dance whose popularity has spread all over the United States.
It is the fastest of the Waltz tempos with constant turning and changing steps.
With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts, we have today’s Viennese Waltz.
Easy to learn, lots of whirling and twirling.
The real origin of the Waltz is rather obscure, but a dance of turns and glides, leaping and stomping appeared in various parts of Europe at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th Century. The Waltz can be traced back as far as 400+ years. The Waltz regained its real popularity in the 20th Century. The Waltz blossomed out as the Hesitation Waltz in 1913. Until the development of the hesitation, couples had waltzed in one direction until dizzy and then reversed until they were ready to drop. The Waltz had degenerated into an endurance contest. The Hesitation resulted in the Waltz as it is done today. The slow Waltz was once known as the Boston Waltz. Today the slow Waltz is the American Waltz, English Waltz, or the faster Viennese Waltz. Colorful ball gowns and tuxes. Beautiful music with strong melodies.
West Coast Swing grew out of the Lindy Hop.
It's a slotted dance that consists mainly of 6 and 8 count patterns. Originally called Western Swing, it was later named West Coast Swing to differentiate it from Country Western swing dancing. Today this dance is popular in many different dancing communities: the Swing dance community, the Country Western dance community and the Ballroom community, just to name a few. Each group molds the moves to be consistent with the principles of its dancing. For example, ballroom dancers might use a more upright style whereas Swing dancers might dance more into the floor, and Country Western dancers might emphasize more ducks, tunnels and turns. West Coast Swing often incorporates moves from other current popular dances.
