So you think you can Dance?

Move your body, move your feet. Sway and swingWest Coast Swing; A style of Swing emphasizing
and samba. They say to Tango, Salsa or Rumba is tonimble feet popular in California night clubs in the 30's
escape the confines of the chaotic world. Emerseand 40's and voted the California State Dance in 1989.
yourself into the world of soul, romance, emotion andThe Mambo was born in 1943 after the fusion of
drama. There's a dance type to suit all interests,Swing and Cuban Music. The original Mambo dance
including swing, latin, tap, ballroom and belly dancing. Notwas a lot different to what we see today as it was
only is it fun and enjoyable, its great for your fitnesstoned down due to the violent acrobatics that were
levels aswell.performed. After its first birth onto the dance floors,
It is not possible to say exactly when dance became athe Mambo craze did not last long and today the
part of our cultural history but it has definitely played aMambo is much limited to advanced dancers.
large role in ceremonies, rituals and entertainment.Teachers agreed that this is one of the most difficult
Dance has been used for centuries as a form ofof dances. One of the greatest contributions of the
expression and story telling. Even before the writtenMambo is that it led to the development of the
language, dance was used to pass down myths andCha-Cha and the authentic night-club style of mambo
stories through generations.dancing, which in the 1990's is increasingly known as
Many people believe that dance can only be achievedSalsa.
with a combination of music and movement. Not allThe Salsa is a mix of many Latin and Afro-Caribbean
dance types require music as some people believedances with each playing a large role of the Salsa
that they "dance to their own rhythm".evolution. Salsa is similar to Mambo in that both have a
There are many types of dance available. Lessons forpattern of six steps danced over eight counts of
many types of dance styles are available. Somemusic. The dances share many of the same moves. In
people even choose to learn a certain dance type asSalsa, turns have become an important feature, so the
a form of fitness and for social interaction. It's a greatoverall look and feel are quite different form those of
way to meet others with similar interest. There are noMambo. Mambo moves generally forward and
restrictions on who can join, if you can walk and run,backward, whereas, Salsa has more of a side to side
you can dance.feel.
Some of the more popular types of dance are;The correct name for belly dancing is actually "Oriental
The history of swing dates back to the 1920's, whereDance"? The Arabic name for it is raqs sharqi, which
the black community, while dancing to contemporarymeans "dance of the East/Orient", and the Turkish
Jazz music, discovered the Charleston and the Lindyname is Oryantal. For centuries, the role of Oriental
Hop. In the late 1930's and through the 1940's, the termsdance in Middle Eastern society has been that of a
Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Lindy, and Swing were usedfolk dance that people would do at joyous occasions
interchangeably by the news media to describe thesuch as weddings, the birth of a child, community
same style of dancing taking place on the streets, infestivals, and other events that bring people together
the night clubs, in contests, and in the movies.There areto party. It was a dance that men, women, and children
many types of swing dance available with each regiondid for fun, not a "performance" done to entertain an
or area boasting its own type of Swing Dance. Toaudience.
name just a few types;There are many other types of dancing, such as,
Ballroom West Coast Swing; A style of swing popularBreak Dancing, Disco, Hip Hop, Ballet, Ballroom, Tango,
in the ballroom dance school organizations andFlamenco, Foxtrot, Jazz, Merenque, Polka, Rumba,
different from the style performed in the CaliforniaSamba, Twist, Waltz, etc just to name a few. Why not
night clubs and Swing dance clubs.try one today, you never know, you may just love it.
Savoy Swing; A style of Swing popular in the NewLeanne Kemp is the Managing Director for
York Savoy Ballroom in the 30's and 40's originallyWotaboutme. Look online to find a day spa, haircut,
danced to Swing music. The Savoy style of swing is aaromatherapy massage anywhere in Australia.
very fast, jumpy, casual-looking style of dancingPerfect for gifts for him or gifts for her.