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East Coast Swing is a fun, energetic dance is a MUST for those who would learn to dance. It is reported to be the most widely known couple dance within the USA, and is one of the first dances taught in almost any dance school in the country. A "Spot Dance," this social dance is danced around a single spot on the floor with many circular patterns. |
California
Nightclub Two Step
is a beautiful, flowing, slow dance and is a real joy to dance.
It was invented decades ago by Buddy Schwimmer. Once learned, the
patterns flow from one to another with such grace and smoothness
that it is moving magic! It is very easy to lead, and to follow.
It is easy to see the Latin influence in the style of this dance - somewhat like a cross between Bolero and Mambo. A good, well-known example of the music is "Lady in Red." This is my personal favorite. |
Foxxy
is a beautiful, versatile dance that can incorporate the patterns
of almost every other dance into its easy-to-lead/follow rhythms.
Just one step per beat takes you around the floor with wonderful
grace. This is the ultimate in "lead-able/follow-able"
slow dances.
Credited to its creator; Gary Stephens, it is a "nightclub" version of Fox Trot. If I had to choose only one slow dance to learn, this would be it for its shear lead-ability. Perfect for wedding dances! |
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West
Coast Swing
will sweep you away! Often referred to as a Lady's dance, the ladies
generally love this one! A beginning man who knows 5 patterns well
can keep an advanced lady entertained for hours. The music is often
slower than that used for ECS, thus allowing for more individual
creativity and self-expression. Be aware though, this dance is an
intermediate dance, so give yourself time to learn it. There is
MUCH to learn, but that is one of the things that make dancing fun.
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Jitterbug,
a.k.a. Single Swing is often danced to very fast Oldies
or Country-Western songs, almost all the patterns used in ECS can
be used in this dance. Personally, I believe this dance to be an
easier dance to learn, and once you have it, an easy dance to lead.
However, due to its speed, this should be an addition to your other
swing dances, not the ONLY swing dance.
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Double
Swing is, again, a very fast dance, using the same number
of musical beats as ECS, and Single Swing. Good for Oldies, Country-Western,
and some Rock music. I find this dance to be enjoyable, and I wouldn't
consider my knowledge of social dancing well-rounded without the
inclusion of this dance to my repertoire.
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Salsa
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Samba
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Merengue
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Cha
Cha
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Rumba
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Fox
Trot
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American
Style Waltz
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Hustle
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Mambo
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American
Style Tango
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Freestyle
is the type of dancing
that you do when you don't have a partner. Excellent for warming
up the body and for cardiovascular exercise. It is the dance that
makes you wonder if there is something to the "born dancer"
theory. Usually, people will compare their own dancing to someone
comfortable with Freestyle dancing and come to the conclusion that
they "can" or "can't" dance. This is a false
assumption. Although it is true that you may never learn to dance
like the champion freestylers, you can learn to dance comfortably.
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