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| A is for American Dance |
At most Ballroom Competitions, you will find two categories of dance, American and International. The 2 categories have similar dances and figures, but when you watch dancing with a trained eye, the differences are striking. During this month, I will point out what to look for.
There are 2 divisions in both, smooth and Latin. American dance in the smooth division, allows more freedom and partners can break away from the standard dance hold.
In the US most beginning dancers first learn American style because it's easier. Just about all social dance is American style.
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If you have time and are interested.........
Below is a video of the American Smooth category, showing the open style where partners can leave the traditional dance hold. Costumes differ as men wear a tux (as opposed to tails) and the ladies gowns show more of the body than in the International category.
Yes - I think I see how there's more freedom to let go of partners in this type of dancing, I think! All very elegant! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Old Kitty,
DeleteI like them both. Hate to play favorites. haha
But International is what I always competed in.
I think I like the American Dance where you can get rid of your partner for awhile and strutt your own stuff!!
ReplyDeleteDance is the PERFECT catagory for you Manzi! You are a dancer after all.
Dear Terry
DeleteAnd often you want to get rid of your partner and leave the room. haha... just kidding. But now that I don't dance anymore, my judging is keen. Those teeny mistakes..... I can spot em.
But I rather like the idea of holding onto the man, especially if he can dance better than me, and especially if he's hunky!!
ReplyDeleteYes Ros, you would be more used to doing English or International Dance and that is the category I competed in for over 25 years. Hunky is frosting on the cake but being a good dancer is paramount. Haha
DeleteSo graceful. I'll be learning more about dancing, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteBish
DeleteThis is our 3rd year. Yes, and I'll be learning more about your attractive and interesting island.
I would like to learn how to dance - but there is a coordination requirement that I fail to meet :)
ReplyDeleteKeith
DeleteI admit that to be a competition dancer takes many hours (years) of diligent practice but you could learn basic social dancing. Betcha!
They sure have it down, I'd crash into one and it would become a game of dominoes.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
DeleteThat dominoes game happens a lot on the dance floor in social dancing. Even happens in competitions and that costs points. Yikes.
Well at least with american dance
ReplyDeleteAs I tried to prance
She could stay away from me
And that would give her glee
As I would not cause her woes
And step on her poor toes haha
Pat... Hahaha
DeleteWell as far as dancing goes
It's a crime to step on the toes
I have a daily reminder
That life could really be kinder
If I didn't have this toe that is funky
Broken 3 times by a hunky.
Ohh Manz...this is going to be fun!!! An entire A to Z on dance...so looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteTurquoisemoon
DeleteReally? I was afraid to do this because I thought it would be boring as dance is rather technical. Thanks for your kind words.
I'm with Karen and the other commenters, I'm going to love visiting your blog this month. I've always, ALWAYS wanted to learn how to partner dance *sigh* and thanks for adding the video. (:
ReplyDeleteElise
DeleteThank you for visiting. I'm always so happy to meet others who share my interest in dance. See you again.
Thanks Karen. See you later.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE watching ballroom dancing. As far as being able to dance myself...I'm probably more like your duck! ;~) Good luck with the challenge! I participated last year and had a blast!
ReplyDeleteDonna L Martin
www.donasdays.blogspot.com
Donna
DeleteThanks for the nice comment and the good wishes. This is the only blogfest I do and it is fun and I'm always learning something new. See you later.
The only "formal" dancing I've ever done was some country line dancing, back in the 90s and I was pretty good (if I do say so, myself) This looks waaaay out of my league, though.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! :)
Mark
DeleteThanks. There will be both information on competition and social dancing. And hey, line dancing is fun too. I love it. And if you were good at that, you too, would love social dancing. ha
Like Mark, this is out of my league but then so is ice dancing but I love to watch it them both. Wish my computer had better download speed. I just get a series of 5 seconds of video then a 10 second wait. Grrr.
ReplyDeletePatti
DeleteI kinda covered dance with the Flamenco but they are really totally different. Sorry you can't get the vid but most people, if they watch at all, only peep at the vids for a few seconds. Some of them are waaaaay too long. Enjoy the Baseball.
I love watching dancers. Sometimes I'll hear a great tune on the radio and wish I were a choreographer. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteCindy
ReplyDeleteYou have the true markings of a dancer/choreographer. I can't ever WATCH dancing without tapping my toes or doing a little shuffle under my chair if I'm seated. Ha
Dear Manzanita,
ReplyDeleteAh the joys of American style ballroom dancing.
And you dance with the joy that's in your heart and soul. The words danced from your keyboard and the video adds that extra touch.
Strictly come dancing and with my two left feet, I wish you well with the challenge.
In kindness and good wishes,
Gary :)
Gary,
DeleteI love that phrase, "Words dancing from keyboards."In my weird mind, I can see little the little words floating up from the keyboard.Thank you for stopping by.
Love and peace
Lovely--with beautiful dresses--but nothing beats watching Flamenco!!
ReplyDeleteI know .... I really love them both. When I do Flamenco I think I like that the best and when I do ballroom, I think that is my favorite.
DeleteWill you be giving out free lessons too?
ReplyDeleteI found you on the A to Z list. Your blog name stuck out so I came over.
Toast Man
DeleteThanks for stopping and the comment. My lessons were always free. I was lucky to have excellent teachers and dancing was no hardship so I wanted to share my knowledge and I still do.
In my dreams I can dance exactly like that...in reality, no. Even my gr-daughters tell me to sit down and watch them instead.
ReplyDeleteSusan
DeleteLOL Of course, Granddaughters don't know how to ballroom. They are just jealous.
Thank you so much for clearing this up for me. I always wondered what the difference was. I love learning something new and as usual, you do not disappoint.
ReplyDeleteMurees,
DeleteThanks for visiting and commenting. I wish I had your gift of humor.
Great post Manzi! I love reading your A to Z.
ReplyDeletePaige
DeleteThank you for the nice comment.
I like how there is more freedom in the American style. I suppose the style was considered risque when it was first developing. Such full circle when you come to think of it. I've often thought of dance in the beginning as being no hand holding.
ReplyDeleteSusie
DeleteIn the beginning they couldn't touch at all
I kept expecting to see people crash into each other, but they were pretty good about not banging into one another. I am looking forward to the International Competition now to see the difference.
ReplyDeleteRobin
DeleteOh you will ... and a few dances in-between. Have to find 36 you know. LOL
Well, this is a fascinating choice of theme. A chance to learn about dancing, without treading on other Bears' paws.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that dancing has been found to be the most effective thing to do in order to ward of the blight of Alzheimer Disease? I saw something about that within the last month or so.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Bear
DeleteWell then let's keep dancing morning and evening. Hummm, I wonder why?
Glad to see you are out of hibernation.
I am going to have to learn how to dance after this Challenge is over! Nice subject!
ReplyDeleteChuck at Apocalypse Now
Chuck
DeleteI bet you know how. But if you really don't.... this may give you the bug. (as in jitter bug...da da da da.
My in-laws knew how to do ballroom dancing, but dancing is something I never learned. Now I wish I had, but the slippery shoes worry me, what if I can't stop sliding and break a leg? Ouch. I always wear shoes with good grip and tread deep enough to collect small gravel.
ReplyDeleteHi Manzanita .. I'd love to be able to dance - but sadly have no sense of rhythm - well certainly not for dancing .. but I do enjoy watching.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Hilary
I have two left feet, so it was lovely to watch the pros!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to share some dance information with those outside the dance community! Makes me remember why I love it so. This is exactly the type of competition that I was involved in as a teen and young adult. :)
ReplyDelete