Ballroom dance originated in Europe and encompasses a variety of partner dances that are enjoyed globally both socially and competitively. Its presence in stage, film, and television further enhances its popularity. While originally encompassing almost any form of social dancing, the term has become more specific with the emergence of dance sport. It now primarily refers to international Standard and international Latin style dances, which were developed in England and are currently regulated by the world Dance Council.
The art of ballroom dance includes historical dances, local dances, and national dances. These dances can be enjoyed in ballrooms or salons, danced in pairs or other formations. Sequence dancing remains a popular style of ballroom dance. Ballroom dance competitions, also known as Dance sport, range from world championships regulated by the World Dance Council to competitions for less advanced dancers at different skill levels. Most competitions are divided into professional and amateur categories. However, in the USA, pro-am competitions generally coincide with professional competitions.
The international Olympic Committee acknowledges competitive ballroom dance and has designated The international Dance sport Federation as the exclusive representative for dance sport in the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, the inclusion of dance in the Olympics appears questionable, particularly considering the ongoing endeavor to limit participating sports. Each country has its own regulations for ballroom dance competitions, with approximately 30 countries regularly participating in international events.
There are around 20 additional countries that are members of the world dance competition and/or the international dance sport federation. However, the dancers from these countries rarely participate in international competitions. In Britain, there is the British Dance Council, which awards national and regional championship titles like the British Ballroom Championships, the British Sequence Championship, and the United Kingdom Champion. In the United States, amateur dance proficiency levels are determined by USA Dance. Former USSR also hosted ballroom dancing competitions that featured Soviet Ballroom dances or Soviet Programme.
Australian New Vogue is danced both competitively and socially. In competition, there are 15 recognized New Vogue dances, which are performed by the competitors in sequence. These dance forms are not recognized internationally, nor are the US Variations such as American Smooth and Rhythm. These variations in dance and competition methods are attempts to meet perceived needs in the local market-place. In China, dancers make use of open ground such as squares, parks, and even sidewalks to showcase their dancing skills. [Zhang Bo / For China Daily]| Waltz in China Ballroom dancing became popular in China’s big cities starting from the mid-1980s.
Waltz, particularly the slow waltz, is highly popular among not only middle-aged individuals but also young people who enjoy dancing. This is because its triple metre tunes have a more lyrical quality. In the early years of its popularity in China, the general public had a more conservative approach to dance compared to today. Few people knew what a standard ballroom dance looked like. Instead, they followed those who had some form of training and danced to the rhythm of the music. Typically, the music consisted of popular Chinese songs, and the dancers derived pleasure from both the songs and their movements.
The Waltz is becoming increasingly popular in the Chinese community for its charm and grace. Since the 1990s, China has experienced significant transformations with a booming economy that has led to a faster pace of life. Consequently, individuals are seeking ways to relax and decompress. As per Feng Shu’s (2002) findings, ballroom dancing in China differs from England as it is not confined to specific dance venues. In Beijing, in particular, locals can be observed dancing in public spaces during summertime.
The dance scene in Beijing and other cities in China has become a unique sight, with individuals of all ages dancing in car parks, parks, and squares at different times of the day. Retirees, who typically retire at the age of 50 in China, find dancing to be a form of morning exercise that allows them to enjoy their lives with their newfound free time and energy. In contrast, mid-aged individuals use dancing as a way to unwind after work. Dancing in parks is preferred over ballrooms due to the fresher air and absence of entry fees. This dance phenomenon not only showcases the vibrant energy of the people but also holds ties to the history of foxtrot dance.
The origin of the Fox-trot can be traced back to the Jar din de Dense on the roof of the New York Theatre. During his act downstairs, Harry Fox would perform trotting steps to ragtime music, earning him the nickname “Fox’s Trot.” Variations of this dance include the Peabody, the Quickstep, and Roseland foxtrot. Other dances like the lindy and the hustle also have some influence from the foxtrot. Undoubtedly, the fox-trot was the most original and exciting among their various dances. In 1928, it made its way to Shanghai, China through its port. In our country, doing the foxtrot is referred to as “fox” in English translation.
Foxtrot dance is a very smooth and beautiful performance in music star performance. Choosing foxtrot dance can make the performance more attractive, as seen in the performances of Kirstie Alley and Petra Nemcova, who always opt for ballroom dancing to enhance their performances. However, some dancing stars don’t have professional guidance, causing them to miss out on the essence of foxtrot dance. In social settings, foxtrot dance is popularly performed at wedding ceremonies, banquets, and meetings.
Married couples typically select a foxtrot or waltz dance for their first double dance at their wedding ceremony, symbolizing the start of a joyous, beautiful, and romantic new life together. It is rare to see people dancing the foxtrot well at nightclubs, as there is often limited space and most people lack professional instruction. The history of the cha-cha dance dates back to the 1940s when many American tourists visited resorts in Havana, Cuba, where Latin American dances gained popularity through the interactions between American and Latin American musicians.
The Mambo dance, a fusion of Jazz and Afro-Cuban beats, gave rise to new dances such as the Cha-Cha. In the 1950s, the Mambo was simplified to include two slow steps followed by three quick steps, which eventually became known as the Cha-Cha. The Cha-Cha dance is characterized by its small rhythmic steps, resembling a chasse or a series of gliding steps that lightly touch the floor. It is performed in 4/4 time signature, meaning there are four beats in each measure. The dance follows a slow-slow-quick-quick-slow pattern, and dancers incorporate turns into their steps.
The cha-cha is known for its emphasis on hip motion, allowing dancers to express themselves. In the 1950s, the cha-cha gained popularity in the United States along with the mambo. Orchestra and jazz musicians engaged in fierce competition to excel at playing the cha-cha and mambo, leading dancers to create new steps and turns in order to win competitions. New York, Miami, and San Francisco were all major centers for this innovative dance style. In 1951, Prado Perez and his Orchestra played a pivotal role in establishing the cha-cha as not only a Latin American dance but also an American one.
The current situation of Cha-cha in China can be seen in most ballrooms where it is a popular choice to play as the closing dance due to its fast pace and strong rhythm, which provides a perfect ending. Particularly, the flashing lights are highly appealing to the younger generation in China. A significant Cha-cha event took place on October 21, 2012, at the House of the Huang Cheng Chancellor of Shan Xi Province. This event was organized by Beijing Jiayoutongxing International Screen Culture Center and featured the program “Tourism” from Henan Television.
With 8685 participants, the group Cha-cha set a world record recognized by the World Record Association for having the largest number of people dancing the Cha-cha. Currently, due to the influence of international business trading, tourism, and foreign politics, more and more people and communities in China are embracing the new concept of dance. Dance serves as a bridge that connects countries and their cultures. Regardless of age, children, young individuals, and middle-aged people can be observed dancing various styles in Ballrooms, parks, and classrooms.
Many young Chinese individuals are now actively engaging in both classic and modern dancing, and as a result, Chinese dancers have swiftly made their mark on the global stage. Notably, Qin Liming and Qiao Yang, pioneers in the field, achieved great success by winning the gold medal for their pas de deux performance at the Fourth Paris International Modern Dance Contest in 1990. Their showcase included two exquisite dances: “Passing Voice,” choreographed by Cao Chenyuan, and “Impression of Taiji.” This achievement paved the way for Chinese artists to enter the modern dance community, showcasing their works of international caliber while exuding the captivating allure of the Orient.
China’s communities have seen a significant growth in population due to the rising popularity of both traditional and contemporary Latin dances. This has led to a surge in the number of dance schools and instructors specializing in teaching these dances as their profession. Between 1997 and 2003, Chinese people were captivated by Latin dances, resulting in a craze for dancing along the east coast of China. Even today, this trend persists as individuals of all ages across China continue to engage in Latin dances such as Cha-cha and waltz within Ballrooms.
References:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/Life/35933.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxtrot
http://www.ehow.com/about_5368797_history-chacha-dance.html
http://www.essortment.com/cha-cha-dance-65244.html
http://www.yyjy.com/a/wudao/jiqiao/other/20120911/3857.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballroom_dance
https:/ballromdeiloilowordpresscom/about/
