Steamy and sexy, the Bolero dance arrived in the US in the 1930's, being danced in it's classical form to the beat of drums. Gradually the dance became accepted into the Latin division of the American Dance category.
Bolero is a modification of the Flamenco Fandango, with the objectionable parts omitted, leaving only the graceful.
It is a moving experience to watch this dance at competitions with it's deep sensual knee movements as the rise comes from only the body without foot rise.
Bolero foot patterns are similar to American Rumba but the tempo is totally different.
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Here is a short video of a Bolero dance lesson taught by that hunky Tony Dovalani from DWTS
Her voice makes it sound so easy to do.
ReplyDeleteJohn
DeleteAnd it always looks so easy. Now, If I get that low, I'd say, help I've fallen and can't get up. LOL
Terrific post. When I hear the word Bolero - the movie 10 and Bo Dereck immediately springs to mind. This was certainly different!
ReplyDeleteJianne
DeleteBolero has gone from the wild, untamed to the studiio dance shown that can be danced socially and in competitions.
Thanks for stopping.
Now I want to know what the "objectional parts" are!!!
ReplyDelete:-)Take care
x
Kitty
DeleteYou know how raw and raucous the gypsies can get. LOL
Wow... so fluid, graceful. Of course, I had no idea it has its roots in Flamenco.
ReplyDeleteBish
DeleteThere's a definite cross-over among the Spanish speaking countries. If they wanted to use some of the gypsy dances for social dancing, they had to refine it a little.... hahaha..... maybe a lot.
Beautiful! Is G going to be gypsy??? hahaha...looking forward to that one!
ReplyDeleteturquoisemoon
Deletegypsy gypsy gypsy Rose Lee. Remember her? Did Roslyn Russell play her in the movie of her life?
She has some very sexy moves there! I would never be able to have a partner in a dance like that... I would for sure cripple them.
ReplyDeleteSo tomorrow is C, Hmmmmm having a hard time thinking of what dance C could be.
No Terry, it's the other way around. They cripple you. I have one toe that has been broken 3 times by clumsy partners. Of course that was way before I started dancing with really good partners. They wear soft shoes, not the industrial strength toe-boots like the cowboys wear.LOL
DeleteInteresting and beautiful dance. If I tried this, I would fall several times :)
ReplyDeleteKeith,
DeleteNo, you'd have the girl to hold you up. HAHAHA
They make it look so easy!
ReplyDeleteRosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain
Ros,
DeleteActually it really is pretty easy. It's just hard on the knees.
I'd be one my butt after the first ten seconds I fear
ReplyDeleteThen the cat would trot over with his rhyming rear
And show me how it was done
Then away he'd run
And I'd still be on the floor
Shown up by a cat forever more
Pat
DeleteCat would love that, well I guess
With Pat sitting there sending SOS
Yes Cat would do the light fantastic
And then with Pat, he'd go bamblastic
They make it look so easy.
ReplyDeleteElise
DeleteThis toned down Bolero is not necessarily so difficult but one has to have strong healthy knees. Save the knees. Ha
Hi, I'm stopping by posts that aren't my usual subject, and so glad I found this! I love to move to music, but don't know any actual dances! When I go to France in the summers, the 'Madison' is often danced at village square events. It's one you do all in a row, not with a partner. I wonder does that school know it and have such clear instructions? (my own blog is about writing and me...)
ReplyDeleteMadelineAnn,
DeleteOh line dances are great fun. You don't need a partner and can just jump in the dance at any time. How lucky you are to live in France in the summer. Thanks for stopping I'll be by and visit your blog.
I, too, thought of the wild and untamed Bo Dereck, and the dance is also a 10!
ReplyDeleteJJ
DeleteYeah, I think that movie was her shot. I never heard any more about her, did you.?
A French film by Claude LeLouche though don't think is called Bolero gives new meaning to the dance
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteHummm, I'm not familiar with it but I'll have to look it up.
Thanks for stopping. I've been meaning to get to you and I will shortly.
Karen
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping. Hope you are feeling well.
I am doomed to watch and never dance, as I was born with no sense of rhythm, at all. In my head, though, I am dancing like a pro. Thanks for sharing such a lovely number.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteYou know, this is really an easy step and the voice explains it so well. I think people could actually learn this basic step off of this video. When I moved out West, I didn't know how to do country dancing and people asked me to teach it. I just got a video and mostly learned the man's part and taught it. The teaching videos are really good, these days.
When I hear Bolero, I'm always reminded of the song. I didn't know it was a dance, too. The things I learn over here... :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, mad props to the gals who can dance in those high heels. I was lucky to be able to do it in cowboy boots with hardly any heel at all.
Mark
DeleteIt is absolutely necessary in ballroom dance that the lady allows the gentleman to lead. That is the main thing the lady has to learn. We ladies do refrain from leading but we always used to say, "We can do anything the man can do and backwards and in high heels, too. Kidding. What would we do without you guys???
I'm with Susan, I, as is the case of many Swedes, have no sense of the beat either. But I love to watch and I love your knowledge of dance. I sense how much it must have enriched your life. And, how fun that we are doing the A to Z for the third year in a row. I must have met you that first time.
ReplyDeleteInger
DeleteI never heard that Swedes had the rep. of non-rhythm. I danced a lot in Minneapolis and that city is/was predominately Swedish and I used to dance with a lot of them.... although one of my long-time partners was Polish. Ha
Dancing has been my life all my life. Does that make sense?
SO GRACEFUL!!
ReplyDeleteFishducky
DeleteYa need excellent balance for that one. But I wouldn't mind having Tony D. holding me up. Haha
How about you?
Very cool dance. I don't think I'm graceful enough for that.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteIf your gentleman is steady, he can guide you through it. Often men are more steady on their feet because they don't have to wear high heels. :)
I have seen the Bolero many a time on DWTS. It is interesting how far away from that Basic Step they get, isn't it????
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteOh thats right, you do watch DWTS too. Tonight another one goes home. That 16 year old gal is certainly doing well. Her movements are so fluid and mature. Who couldn't dance well with that Val. He is really a superb dancer.
Loved learning more about the Bolero!
ReplyDeleteA to Z Participant
Cherie Reich - Author and Surrounded by Books Reviews
Cherie
DeleteThanks for stopping and leaving a comment
I remember being forced to take ballroom dancing classes as a kid, but we never got to learn dances like that!
ReplyDeleteKellie
DeleteHow nice that you got to do ballroom when little. I think all kids should take dancing like they used to. Especially the boys. They wouldn't feel so self-conscious out on the dance floor when older.
Oh to be so graceful. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti,
DeleteOh yes, grace...... wish I had it again. Ha
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I wish I could do it. But all I can manage is the "White Guy Overbite."
ReplyDeleteAl
DeleteHahahahaha.... all I can say to that one.
I WISH I could dance like that. So passionate and sensual.
ReplyDelete(Stopping by from A to Z Challenge)
anothercleanslate
DeleteYes, the bolero is a lovely, passionate dance
When I here the word Bolero I can only think of Bo Derek in the movie 10. It was so awesome...thanks for the reminder (even if that wasn't your intent :))
ReplyDeleteChuck at Apocalypse Now
Chuck
DeleteYou and all the guys!!!!
Dang. Now THAT was sex-ay. Especially the bits when they slow the video and the narrator's summarizing with, "Slooow...quick, quick, slooow." :-)
ReplyDeleteMina Lobo
DeleteThanks. Now that you mentioned it, it was pretty sexy for a teaching tape.
When I first looked at the title, I thought the video might have Bo Derek. As usual, I was wrong. How can one Bear make so many mistakes?
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Bear
DeleteLOL... You and most of the guys. They want Bo Derek. Even Bears want Bo Derek
Bolero is inescapably connected to Torville and Dean ice-skating for me. I used to love to dance Latin. BTW I loooove your cat pic.
ReplyDeleteCassmob from Tropical Territory (A to Z)
Pauleen
DeleteOh yes. Torvile and Dean. You probably watch Dancing with the Stars or you might not get it or have your own.
Oh thanks. She's an old cat .... kind of a rescue cat and I'm making her food and she turned into a Swan.
Sensual movements, beautiful dance..! I have a very superficial knowledge about Latin dances, so it's great you've choosen this topic for your A to Z! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing concept- all that rise and fall without raising the feet! So many dances benefit from the old 'quick, quick, slow' motion I think. A simple concept that works...
ReplyDeleteYou are making me think about everything I love so much about ballroom dance. I don't do it as much as I would like and should add it back into my weekly routine as soon as my husband can get through his actuarial testing- maybe a couple more years. Then I can learn to fly and dance a whole lot more!