When I was very young, the name of this dance always made me giggle. I could picture a fox trotting and that is exactly what the dance resembles. Where the actual name, Foxtrot, originated, is unclear. Some say it was named after Mr. Fox, an early proponent of the dance and others claim it's so-named because the long, gliding steps resemble the stalking fox, same as my childhood image. The Foxtrot has been around a long time and continues to monopolize social dance.
Foxtrot is in the smooth division of both International and American. It is similar to the Waltz but danced in a 4/4 rhythm instead of 3/4 time of the Waltz.
Big band music is the key that unlocks the door to the Foxtrot although it was originally danced to ragtime.
If you want to peek at a Foxtrot, below is the dance from a competition.
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Can you do all these different dances??? wow...
ReplyDeleteTurquoisemoon
DeleteWell, we have one week in of the A-Z. That went fast. I don't know but I've given it one heck of a try for around 30 years. Haha
Now this one I know... or have heard of. I certainly can't do it, but very fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteThe sun is shining here today and I am headed out. Have a GREAT day Manzi!
terry
DeleteFoxtrot is old and now the most basic social dance. I bet your mother and dad did the foxtrot.
Good that you got sunshine. It's been warm but chilly yesterday. In the greenhouse seeds are popping up. The arugulla, daikon, broccoli, peas are up. Yay.
Hi, just stopping by from the A-Z challenge. What a great name for a blog!
ReplyDeleteJodie
DeleteHappy to see you visiting here.
Thanks for the comment.
That's what I always imagined foxtrot would be about, cruel cruel dance!
ReplyDeletePoke the Rock
DeleteHow is it going with the A-Z? Enjoy your day off tomorrow.
Now that is just smooth to watch. Never did it nor saw it but like you I always liked the name.
ReplyDeletePatti,
DeleteNow this is International if you notice the "tails" on the men. In the American the men wear a tux.
I have heard of the Foxtrot but this is the first time I have actually seen it performed.
ReplyDeleteKeith,
DeleteThis is International in competition and of course a social foxtrot would not be as elaborate but just as much fun.
I'm certainly learning a lot about dance that I never knew before, from your A to Z! :)
ReplyDeleteThey could be on ice skates they way they glide across the floor.
ReplyDeleteBish
DeleteCompetitive dancing is so demanding. Each step is also judged by if it's either taken as a toe-heel or a heel-toe. But that is what gives the smooth look to the dance. Dancing is dang hard and a life study.
Glide like a fox on the hunt indeed
ReplyDeleteAll hot to trot at your feed
One week is down
In A to Z town
Enjoying my a to z break
Makes doing up a post easy at my lake haha
As Keith reacted, I laughed a lot
DeleteWhen you said he was hot to trot
One week gone, so it is
Twas fun like old show biz
Enjoy your break on coming Sunday
Take a breath and again it's Monday
LOL
That was beautiful. I'm sure the Foxtrot has been massacred more than most dances. About your cat -- every time I open this blog, I am falling more and more in love with that picture. I so understand why this cat is not part of your life.
ReplyDeleteInger
DeleteThat cat turned out to be such a love. She rules the house. That little thing lays in the middle of Coty's big round bed and Cody won't go near her. LOL
Thank you for taking the time to provide a video with your origin stories of each dance. It helps to see the dance in motion. The steps are gliding. I was surprised by how "big" each step was that the dancers were taking. However, those big steps made the dance feel elongated and graceful. Now that this dance is mostly done to Big Band music, it is hard to imagine it paired with Ragtime!
ReplyDeleteRobin
DeleteIn the US, the foxtrot is the basic social dance, done in American style. This vid is international. You can tell by the gentleman wearing tails where as in American they wear a regular tux.
Also in International, the feet are brought together, not necessarily with weight on both but mostly balancing as the dancer closes with the foot and then glides on with another long step.
In American style, when a dancer gets to about the silver level they brush through with the opposite foot and it's called continuity. But the average social dancer rarely gets there and take small box steps. But can that be fun? Definitely yes. If done well, that basic dance can turn a lot of heads out on the social dance floor. I know I gave you more information that you wanted to hear. Sorry.
It's funny, because I've always had that same vision of a fox dancing, too!
ReplyDeleteIs your fox a better dancer than my fox?
DeleteThe dancers make it look so seamless, so easy. But, being me, it would not be such. Loving this theme!
ReplyDeleteSusan
DeleteTrust me, it is NOT easy. These dancers have put in years of devoted practice. Glad you like it.
Foxtrot. Military box; I only half remember. "Song Sung Blue" — here's to you!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since we've been to a dance where one could actually dance. Sigh!
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting!
Bear
DeleteNow I see you put Bears Noting on the comment. Duh.
I know, the floors are so tiny now, the only thing it's good for is latin. Can't foxtrot around the perimeter of those little postage size dance floors.
I have heard of the dance but since I Can't...I am only envious. How ever, I never knew THAT was the Foxtrot...I always somehow thought it was a flapper type of dance. And I now know something I didn't.
ReplyDeleteChuck at Apocalypse Now
Chuck
DeleteYou are no doubt thinking of the Charleston dance. That is a flapper dance.... popular in the 20's. Your grandparents prob. did it and my mother definitely did it.
Enjoy your day off.
Hey Manzanita,
ReplyDeleteThought I'd better come over from the Z to A Challenge and see how your dancing is going. Okay, I watched the video and I got dizzy just watching.
The name "Foxtrot" got Penny's attention. We get Fox Trots in our garden, but that's another story :)
Happy alphabeting, dear lady.
Gary :)
Gary
DeleteFoxtrot is slow. Wait until V and watch the Viennese Waltz. Just watching them spin around and around will make one falling down dizzy.
Oh oh, fox trots in the garden sounds serious. Better let Penny tell that one.
Cheers and happy fun day.
Love your theme! Wish I could dance like that!
ReplyDeleteTalya Tate Boerner
DeleteThank you for stopping and leaving a comment. Enjoy the challenge.
Ballroom dancing is a beautiful art form. My husband was on a ballroom dance team in college. Unfortunately, I don't share his grace and agility on the dance floor.
ReplyDeleteKaren
DeleteI bet you husband is an exciting dancer. BYU? I've seen them dance many times and they are beautiful dancers.
All those years ago when I did ballroom dancing classes as a kid I never got as far as the foxtrot but I love watching it.
ReplyDeleteRosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain
Well ~I never expected to be watching a bit of Come Dancing this morning! It was lovely.
ReplyDeletelizy-expat-writer
DeleteThank you for visiting and the comment. Enjoy the A-Z.
The movement looks beautiful to me.
ReplyDeleteMurees,
DeleteThank you for visiting and see you on G-Day
It's amazing to me how fluid they are and how they move as one. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAl,
DeleteAnyone can do it after year and years and years of practice. LOL
I love watching dancers that flow as one person. BEAUTIFUL!!
ReplyDeleteConnie
A to Z buddy
Peanut Butter and Whine
Connie
ReplyDeleteYes, the Foxtrot is a smooth, gorgeous, fun dance.
Thank you for stopping.
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Honestly, Foxtrot for me is the military alphabet tool to convert words and phrases.... Alfa Bravo Coca Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India ...
ReplyDeleteNever knew that it is a dance form. Thanks for sharing :)
Shilpa
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. Someone else mentioned that. All new to me. Thank you for telling me....interesting.
My pleasure to meet you.
I have on occasion wondered where the term came from. This is fun to know.
ReplyDelete