Sequence dance facts for kids
Sequence dancing is a fun way to dance where everyone follows the same steps! Imagine learning a dance routine and then doing it with a group of people. That's sequence dancing! The music for these dances is also usually chosen beforehand. You can find many different styles of dance within sequence dancing. This includes ballroom dances, where couples move around the dance floor. It also includes dances like line dances, square dances, and circle dances.
Contents
What is Sequence Dancing?
Sequence dancing means following a set pattern of moves. Everyone on the dance floor does the same steps at the same time. It's like a choreographed performance, but for everyone to enjoy! The music is also usually picked out in advance to match the dance steps.
A Look Back in Time
Sequence dancing is actually much older than many modern ballroom dances we know today. For example, the waltz was invented around the year 1800. But before the early 1900s, almost all dances done in ballrooms were sequence dances.
Famous Old Sequence Dances
Two well-known examples of old sequence dances are the quadrille and the minuet. These dances had specific steps that everyone learned and performed together. They were very popular at social gatherings and balls long ago.
Modern Sequence Dancing
Even after new ballroom dances became popular, sequence dancing continued to be enjoyed, especially in England. It kept some of the older styles, often called 'Old Time' dances. It also adapted new ballroom dances and even Latin dances into sequence patterns.
Dance as a Sport and Hobby
Today, sequence dancing is both a fun social activity and a competitive sport. People enjoy learning the routines and dancing together. There are also competitions where dancers show off their skills and precision.
The British Sequence Championships
One of the most famous sequence dance competitions is the British Sequence Championships. This event happens every year as part of the Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival. It has been held since 1949 in the Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens, in Blackpool, England. It's a big event for sequence dancers from all over.
