Ballroom dance facts for kids
Ballroom dance is a group of partner dances enjoyed by many people around the world. These dances are usually done by a man and a woman dancing together on a dance floor with other couples. There are two main types of ballroom dance: the Standard (or Modern) dances and the Latin dances.
The Standard dances include the waltz, quickstep, foxtrot, tango, and Viennese waltz. The Latin dances are the cha-cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. Besides these, there are also sequence dances, where everyone dances the same steps in a set pattern.
People can dance ballroom dances just for fun at social events. But they are also danced in competitions, which are organized by groups like the World Dance Council. In competitions, dancers usually follow the International style, which has specific techniques developed by English dancers.
Many famous dancers have performed ballroom styles. While Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are very well-known, they mostly danced in movies, not in actual ballrooms. In America, Vernon and Irene Castle were famous ballroom dancers in the early 1900s. Later, Arthur Murray opened many dance schools to teach people how to dance. In England, Victor Silvester was a famous professional dancer and bandleader.
Contents
International Style Ballroom Dancing
There are ten main dances in the International style. Five are Standard (or Modern) and five are Latin.
Standard Dances
Latin Dances
Most of these dances started in other places, but English dancers and teachers helped create the modern forms we see today.
When people compete, the women wear long, fancy dresses for Standard dances and shorter skirts for Latin dances. Men wear formal suits (like a tuxedo with a white tie) for Standard dances and more casual shirts for Latin dances.
Many dancers work to earn medals to show how much they have improved. They dance for a judge to earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals. Dance teacher groups, like the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), organize these lessons and medal tests. These groups also teach other dance styles like ballet and jazz dance. Their exams are recognized all over the world.
Some dances are done in a line or group, instead of with a partner. These are called line dances. You might see line dances done to Mambo, Waltz, Paso Doble, or Samba music. When many couples dance together, all doing the same steps, it's called formation dancing.
Ballroom Dance Competitions
Dancers compete at different levels. The main groups are amateurs (who dance for fun) and professionals (who dance for a living). Among amateurs, dancers are also grouped by age:
- Juveniles: Up to 12 years old.
- Juniors: Up to 16 years old.
- Youth: Up to 21 years old.
- Adult Amateur: 16 years and older.
- Seniors: 35 years and older.
- Over 45s: Dancers over 45 years old.
In the USA, competitions might also group dancers by their skill level, such as Newcomer, Bronze, Silver, or Gold.
One of the most famous ballroom dance competitions is the Blackpool Dance Festival in England. It has been held every year since 1920 (except during wars) and welcomes dancers from all over the world.
American Style Ballroom Dancing
American style ballroom dancing is sometimes called Social style. It includes smooth dances and rhythm dances.
Smooth Dances
- Waltz
- Tango
- Foxtrot
- Viennese Waltz
Rhythm Dances
- Cha Cha
- Mambo
- Rumba
- Bolero
- East Coast Swing
Ballroom Dance in Movies and TV Shows
Movies About Ballroom Dance
- Strictly Ballroom
- Shall We Dance?
- Dance With Me
- Dirty Dancing (starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey)
- Movies with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (like Top Hat and Carefree)
TV Shows About Ballroom Dance
- Ballroom Bootcamp (US)
- So You Think You Can Dance (US, UK, Belgium, Netherlands)
- Dancing with the Stars (United States, Netherlands)
- Strictly Come Dancing (UK)
Other Popular Ballroom Dances
There are many other dances that are often included in ballroom dance settings or lessons.
Swing Dances
- West Coast Swing
- Lindy Hop
- Balboa
More Latin Dances
- Salsa
- Merengue
- Cumbia
Other Styles
- Argentine Tango
- Polka
Related Pages
Images for kids
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A Galliard dance in Siena, Italy, from the 15th century.
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Vernon and Irene Castle, who helped make ballroom dance popular in the early 1900s.
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A Cha-cha-cha dance at a competition in Austria.
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Intermediate level Latin dancing at the 2006 MIT ballroom dance competition. A judge is watching in the front.
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People on the dance floor waiting to dance and compete.
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Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed dancing a tango in 2006. They came third in the Professional World Championship in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Baile de salón para niños
