DANCE STYLES

Foxtrot

Fox Trot is a basic dance from which you can acquire a good foundation. Learning to combine steps easily and smoothly teaches variety and maneuverability. The Fox Trot posture is attractive in appearance and helpful to all other dances. Being able to dance to slow, medium and fast tempos will add confidence to your dancing and will assure fun and relaxation for your partner.

History: In 1913, Harry Fox, a vaudeville comedian, introduced a trot to a ragtime song in the 1913 Ziegfeld Follies that pushed other trots into the background. It became America's most popular dance and remains so to thins day as the standard of social dances.

Merengue

Merengue develops Cuban Motion and the ability to adapt to any partner. It is the only Latin dance which combines one-step timing with Cuban Motion and therefore is a help to all Latin dances. The march type beat sharpens timing and coordination and the proper use of the accent will develop a clearer interpretation of musical rhythm. History: There are two schools of thought as to how this captivating dance began. One says it started as a peasant dance in the Dominican Republic by African Slaves. Another says a returning war hero, a General Maringie, danced dragging an injured leg. Whatever it's origin, today's exciting rhythm of the Merengue inspires dancers all over the world to move to its intoxicating beat.

Samba

Samba improves the flexibility of the body and helps achieve easy movement and light-ness . The Samba rolling action teaches the body to be supple. To move lightly, quickly and smoothly without effort takes study but only at the start. Although considered a good exercise, Samba should be danced smoothly and in a relaxed manner giving the appearance of effortless movement.

History: This national dance of Brazil became the rage of its society in the 1930's but began as an exhibition dance in Paris in 1905. Movie star & singer Carmen Miranda, is credited with making the dance popular in the U.S. in the early 1940's

Waltz

Waltz develops balance and control. The basic Waltz steps are the foundation patterns used in most ballroom dances. Correct posture, rise and fall, and flowing movements should be stressed to achieve good styling.

History: Considered the mother of present day dances, the Waltz began in southern Germany in the seventeenth century. The popularity of the Waltz grew with the music of Johann Strauss and eventually blossomed in the 20th century. It is the basis for many dances and is popular today all over the world.

Swing

The Swing is a spot dance with a carefree relaxed style and is a dance easily mastered by most people. The various speeds of music are excellent training for quick footwork and good leading and following which will add comfort and ease in most other rhythm dances. After mastering the patterns both men and women will find Swing a fun and exciting dance to learn and practice.

History:The Lindy (Swing) picked up where the Charleston left off. It had "swing-outs", "break-aways" and shine-steps". With the birth of "Swing" music in the mid 1930's the Lindy climbed the social ladder. In August of 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom, bandleader Benny Goodman played a Fletcher Henderson arrangement of "Stompin' at the Savory". The rest, as they say, is history. The dance craze swept the nation, and depending on where you lived, it was the Jitterbug, the Lindy Hop or the Swing. Since those days, each successive generation has "discovered" the fun of Swing. This most uniquely American dance is enjoyed all over the world

Hustle

Hustle originated in the 1970's Disco Era and was popularized by John Travolta in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." Both the music and the dance swept the country like wild-fire and although the whit suits and gold chains have faded away the dance has stayed. It is still one of the most popular nightclub dances today.

History: Dsicotheques (Disco) with high quality sound systems, and flashing lights became a popular form of entertainment in Europe and America in the late 1960's and throughout the 70's. In the early 1970's a new dance craze became popular on the crowded dance floors of New York. This "Touch Disco" was called the Hustle. The Hustle marked a return to popular dances where couples danced touching each other. The popularity of modern and "retro" music with "disco" beat keeps this dance fresh, exciting and full of energy today

Rumba

Learning the Rumba is a prerequisite for good Latin Dancing. The Cuban Motion is essential in most all Latin dances. The Rumba is used by good dancers everywhere and provides interesting variety suited to a limited space. Neat, attractive, precise footwork gives you confidence in your dancing.

History: The Rumba was at the beginning of the Cuban and Latin American dance crazes. Danced to music inspired by African rhythms and Spanish melodies, the Americanized Rumba was the basis for the Mambo and the Cha Cha. In the U.S. Rumba rhythms have found their way into Country Western, Blues, Rock & Roll and other popular forms of music.

Cha Cha

Cha Cha adds fun to your dancing through its syncopated steps and many open movements. When you can dance many interesting combinations with ease, you and your partner will be able to feel the pulsating Latin rhythms which make this dance so fascinating.

History:One of the most popular Latin dances in the U.S., the Cha Cha began as a variation of the Mambo called triple Mambo. It was so easy and so much fun; it became the rage of the early 1950's. Its infectious one-two, on-two-three rhythm demands that sitters become dancers. Everybody can learn the Cha Cha.

Tango

In order to achieve the distinctive style of the Tango it is important to develop controlled staccato footwork, along with fluid graceful movements. The unique rhythm of the music is great training for timing and phrasing which develops as the dancer becomes more proficient. Tango practice is essential towards becoming a good dancer.

History:The Tango began in the West Indies and found its way to Argentina where it was stylized by the Gauchos. It became the rage in the 1921 after the silent screen star Rudolph Valentino brought this romantic dance to millions in "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse". More recently, it has been danced in movies such as True Lies and Scent of a Woman. Today, the Tango is considered the "dancer's dance" and becomes a favorite to all who learn it.

Salsa

Salsa is the Spanish word for "sauce" denoting a "spicy" and "hot" flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. There are indications the term Salsa was coined by radio jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960's Later associated with a new York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Caribbean beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the mambo and Cha Cha.

BENEFITS

Dancing is a wonderful way to meet people and make new friends. Once you can dance, weddings, balls and social events take on a whole new dimension as you are out on the dance floor and no longer have to watch from the sidelines. Our students tell us they love to dance but they also love the side effects of dancing including improved fitness and flexibility, great friendships, a more active social life, more time spent with their partner, improved confidence in all sorts of social and work situations and a feeling of grace and beauty. We could go on and on about the benefits of dancing but why not try it for yourself.

Dancing: The Ideal Exercise

Get Fit and Have Fun at the Same Time...

Exercising by jogging (outdoors or on treadmill) is an unattractive alternative for many people. Dancing is a mild form of aerobic workout and dance lessons make exercise a fun and enjoyable social event any night of the week. Your dance "workout" is beneficial in many ways:

• Olympic athletes often include dance in their training to sharpen control, agility, speed and balance.
• Dance contributes to good posture and body alignment.
• Dance encourages gentle stretching.
• Dance increases your flexibility and stamina.
• Dance benefits your cardiovascular system as you swing and sway from hip to shoulders

Dancing: A Romantic Alternative

• The romantic properties of dance are a secret that all good dancers enjoy:
• Men feel confident when they recognise which dance is being played and have the ability to walk across the dance floor and ask a lady to dance.
• Women will enjoy being asked to dance knowing they have mastered the grace, poise, styling and important following skills of a trained dancer.
• Couples can enjoy the romance that is created with holding, touching and moving to the music. Single people are able to meet new friends as dancing provides a natural icebreaker and becomes a common denominator in any crowd.

OUR PROGRAMS

Introductory Program

This program is designed as an introduction to three or four of the popular social dances. Its purpose is to develop your movement, timing and help you to recognize different music, also to teach you basic lead and follow.

Basic Program

This program is designed to develop four basic dances to the level of moving around the floor with a partner to make the dance more enjoyable to your partner. It will strengthen your lead/follow and give confidence to get on the floor without the fear of not knowing what to do.

Associate Bronze

This is the program for the impatient dancer. It will develop free movement around the floor, much more variety, a little technique, footwork, and your first introduction to styling to make your partner comfortable, and give you more assurance that you look good on the floor. This four dance program is very popular with the person that wants to get on the floor this Friday night.

Full Bronze

Bronze is the full Social Standard. It will develop timing and technique in all nine Social Dances. The styling will make you look nice and comfortable while on the floor. It will strengthen your lead and following to the point that no matter who your partner is, you will look poised and very good in ten steps plus variations in each of the dances. It will give you all the confidence you will ever need on the dance floor. Dancing at this level will be yours to keep as you will never forget the elements of each dance. It is the fun point in dancing when you don't have to think about anything but enjoying your partner and having fun yourself. You will be checked out in each phase by an Arthur Murray Examiner. Congratulations! You are now a full-fledged dancer!

Silver

Silver is a dance standard with a high degree of styling. Flashy moves make this standard stand out on the dance floor. Continuity of movement makes a couple glide around the dance floor, with many changes in direction. Styling makes this standard develop an individual character - some people become Smooth Dancers while others become Latin Dancers. Technique is very important to develop continuity of movement. This standard is the beginning of the showy and flashy dancing to be used mainly on the ballroom floor. A Silver dancer is definitely noticed on a crowded floor.

Gold

Our Gold Standard is for the Stars! Strictly a standard for the hobby dancer or the person who wants to do exhibitions. Its intricate patterns are only to be used when both people really know what they are doing. Choreography, styling, technique and showmanship are necessities in this standard. This cannot be used on a crowded dance floor. The smoothness and control make this a beautiful standard to sit and watch. You had better be prepared to work, if this is your standard, but you will truly be regarded as an outstanding dancer able to excel in any dance there is.

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT

Turn your Christmas party, awards night or staff day into a memorable event with an Arthur Murray Dance Performance. Whether it's a Christmas party at the office or corporate entertainment, a dance performance always pleases a crowd. Our time is spent listening to your individual needs, making objective suggestions and securing the right performers to make your event a success!

Let us help...

• Add some excitement to product launches, corporate meetings, trade shows and a host of other social functions!
• Ever thought about using partnership dancing as an ice-breaker?
• How about having a Ballroom, Latin American or Rock 'n' Roll performance at your next product launch?
• Have you sorted out Christmas entertainment yet?

We Provide Dance Performance Entertainment for:

• Corporate Entertainment
• Staff Socials
• Staff Christmas Parties
• Restaurants
• Private Parties
• Charity Events
• Wedding Receptions
• Cultural/Educational Events
• Awards Nights
• Conferences
• and more...

What is provided?

1-3 minutes per dance, in a variety of styles that can be strung together to build an amazing floor show! This provides the perfect taste of dancing to add that extra sparkle and theatricality to highlight your event.

Our professional instructors can provide a number of different services:

1. Those attending the event may learn a few popular steps and be able to put them into practice with others.
2. A more extensive lesson can be provided allowing attendants to comfortably dance a particular style i.e. Latin American, Ballroom, Rock 'n' Roll.
3. 2 professional instructors can perform exhibition dancing for the event.