*Good Afternoon! Welcome to the **USA** DANCE celebration of National
Ballroom Dance Week! *
USA DANCE ,Inc. is a non-profit organization that was
formed in 1965 to promote Competitive Ballroom Dancing, called
Dancesport, into the Olympics. The **United States** Olympic Committee
has recently recognized USA DANCE as an affiliate and the
governing authority for amateur ballroom dancing in the US. We are working
with the US and world community toward acceptance of Dancesport in
the Olympics.
*
*All dancing consists of just four basic steps, performed in differing
patterns and rhythms. First, is the walk, just like walking. Next, is
the rock step, which is a 1-2 back and forward motion, Third, is the box
step, which moves in a square using a slow, quick, quick rhythm, and
finally, the triple step, which is a **1-2-3**, or right-left-right,
pattern. *
*
*The Ballroom Dances can be divided into two categories: Smooth and
Rhythm. The Smooth Dances include the Slow Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango,
Foxtrot and Quickstep, which mainly have their roots in the various
European cultures. The Rhythm dances include Swing, Disco and the
numerous Latin Dances, which all have their roots in the
African-Latin-Caribbean cultures. Today we will be performing dances for
you from the Rhythm Category. *
*
*Our first dance will be the Cha-Cha. An exciting syncopated latin
dance, which originated in the 1950's as a slowed down Mambo, the Cha
Cha gathers its personality, character, rhythm and charm from two major
dance sources. While it is derived from the Mambo because of the Latin
music, it is also related to the Swing by using the 1-2, **1-2-3**
rhythm. *
*Performing our Cha-Cha, we have ----------- and her partner *
*-----------. ------------------ have been dancing together about
---years; *
*
(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow and during applause) *
*All dancers you see today are from the ___________ area and are
amateur social or competitive dancers and members of **USA** DANCE.
USA DANCE has several categories and levels of dancers, including many
beginners. The only requirement for membership is that a dancer must be
an amateur, and not a paid professional dancer. Teachers, which are
professionals, may join USA DANCE only as an associate member and
supporter.
* Our next dance will be the Bolero. The Bolero was originally a
theatrical dance from **Spain** but was then adopted and modified by the
Cuban culture. It is executed in slow, sensual Latin rhythms, similar to
the Rumba. It is an elegant, romantic dance of love. Our dancers for the
Bolero are ------ and his partner, ----------. They have been dancing
together for ----(years)months. *
*
*(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow and during applause)*
*The ________ Chapter of USA DANCE welcomes all those who
wish to learn how to dance. We offer free beginner dance classes during
our dances, but we are not affiliated with, nor do we compete with any
of the dance schools. We appreciate the fine work the schools do and
encourage all those interested in learning to dance to contact a school
for prices. Meanwhile, we can help you get started; provide you with
support and a connection with the world of social and competitive dance. *
* *
*Next, we will present the Pasa Doble. The Pasa Doble is a proud dance
that represents a bull fight. The male dancer symbolizes the Matador and
the lady is his cape. This exciting symbolism is matched in the
choreography by dramatic moves and poses, adding to the spectacular
nature of the dance. Our dancers for the Pasa Doble will be
----------------.*
*
(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow and during applause) *
*Ballroom Dancing is becoming the rage again across college campuses. A
recent television news report stated that Ballroom Dancing is fast
becoming one of the most popular college past-times. On a competitive
level, it is said that Dancesport is a team sport where men and women
compete as a team on a completely equal basis. Actress and Ballroom
Dancer Ginger Rogers is quoted as having replied, .Well... not quite.
Women do it in high heels and going backwards. Dancing is a healthy, fun
way to get your exercise! Of all the dances, the one that is the biggest
hit with teens and young adults, is, by far, the Swing. *
*
Swing Dancing began in Harlem*in the 1920's. First called the Lindy
Hop after Charles Lindburgh, and later called the Jitterbug or Jive, the
Swing has been the most outrageous and fun dance of all. Young people
love to throw each other over their back or slide them along the floor
in a display of athletics. Those of us who are a bit older prefer the
more sedate version of the dance. There are many speeds to Swing music,
but some swing dancers say, the faster, the better!
*
Since the 1940's Swing dancing has evolved into several forms, which
include The East Coast Swing, the foundation for all Swing dances,
Disco, popular in the 70's and specifically called the Hustle, and the
West Coast Swing, a more recent and highly popular version of the
Swing. *
*
The East Coast Swing is frequently referred to as the Triple Step Swing,
because it is executed with a **1-2-3** foot pattern. But the East Coast
Swing is also performed as a single count swing when danced to very fast
music, or to help beginners learn the dance. The basic steps are simple,
but dancers are very innovative as they add styling and variations. For
our East Coast Swing, we are bringing back our Cha Cha dancers,
-------------. *
*
(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow and during applause) *
*Besides the competitive aspect, our local chapter hosts free classes
for beginners at our monthly social dances. All dances are smoke and
alcohol free. You are invited to visit our membership table to learn
more about membership or the dances. Beginners of all ages are very
welcome and encouraged to join. A beginner today, is the very good
dancer of tomorrow. *
*
The Hustle is a cousin of the Swing family, but it has it’s own distinct
flavor utilizing the 1970's Disco style music. It was made extremely
popular by John Travolta in the movie .Saturday Night Fever.. The Hustle
brought partner dancing back into vogue among nightclub dancers and is
still danced to contemporary music of the last 20 years. It is a fast,
smooth dance, with many spins for the lady while the gentleman draws her
close and sends her away. To perform a Disco number we are bringing back
our Bolero dancers, -------------------*
*
(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow and during applause) *
*The length of time it takes to learn to dance varies from person to
person, but usually within a few lessons most people can perform enough
steps to a dance to feel competent on the dance floor. Within a few
months of practice and lessons, you can be dancing most of the popular
couple dances. Besides the aerobic value of dancing, and the fun, you
and your partner will feel the same satisfaction and accomplishment as
any athlete or sports team. Soon, you may find yourself wanting to
compete, and **USA** DANCE offers regional and national competitions
similar to the events you may have seen on TV. *
*
The West Coast Swing was developed in California and was first known
as the Western Swing. However, many confused it with Country/Western
dancing, and so in 1959 the name was changed to reflect its origin, the
West Coast. It is performed to slower swing music with the lady moving
back and forth in a slot, like being on railroad tracks. The gentleman’s
job is to maneuver around her while pulling her back and forth in her
slot. The West Coast Swing showcases the lady and is now very popular
with Ballroom and Country Western dancers alike. Our West Coast Swing
dancers are -------, and --------------. *
*------------ is a guest professional and associate member of **USA**
DANCE- *
*(They dance a 2 minute routine to their selected music, then leave the
stage after bow -and during applause) *
*
That concludes our presentation today - we hope you enjoyed our dancers,
and thank you for helping us celebrate National Ballroom Dance Week. If
you are interested in learning to dance, please visit our USA DANCE
Membership table for more information. Also, parents, if you would
like to train your children to dance, or the idea of future Olympic
possibilities appeal to you, we can help you get started. Thank you,
have a great day, and go out dancing tonight!*