American Style and International are the two categories of ballroom dance in America. To the rest of the world, ballroom dance IS International. A standard set of figures is recognized around the world. The US followed the set dance patterns with a few changes, thus the American category was created. The strict standard of ballroom breaks down barriers between countries when they are dancing International.
In the US, American style dance is usually taught in most dance schools and almost all of the social dancing is American style.
International ballroom has it's roots in England. Lets say ballroom is to the UK as Flamenco is to Spain and as good leather shoes are to Italy. My partners and I have always danced the strict technique of International.
A quick way to distinguish International during a competition is by the mens attire. The gentlemen wear tails and men dancing American will be wearing a tux.
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| My Partner and I Beginning to Dance a VienneseWatz |
What a wonderful picture you shared with us! (: I can't imagine dancing in a gown like that though. Heck, I have trouble dancing in regular clothes, lol. But you guys look fabulous. I find it interesting that gentlemen wear tails and men dancing American wear a tux.
ReplyDeleteElise
DeleteI like the more formal. God knows our life needs a little elegance now and then.
Thanks.... I designed and sewed all of my costumes and that used to be a big part of it for me, too.
Thanks for coming by today.
Designing and sewing your own costumes, now that is even more impressive!
DeleteTux and tails, an easy way to know the difference. I'm wondering why the US had to make those few changes to create their own style.
ReplyDeleteRiver
DeleteYou know.... Americans..... always wanting to change everything and not always for the better.
Wow Manzi, Look at you two in that picture!! That is some dress. Very beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping this comment goes through. Dennis just bought me a new iPad and I am trying to figure it out
Much love to you!
Terry
DeleteWhat a sweetie Dennis is. You came through loud and clear, high-five. Boy I hate to learn new gadgets. I need a new computer so bad....Hope I can make it through the A-Z..I didn't get it before just because it takes me so long to understand new electronics.
Love to you and Hi to Dennis.
OMG...beautiful!!! What a gorgeous dress! ...and heels! I wear burkenstocks, wonder how they'd look??? hahaha This challenge is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteturquoisemoon
DeleteThank you. I really don't like sewing but the ballroom dresses are sooooo expensive and they have to be made especially for the dancer... so I always designed and sewed my own.
I'll tell you, after the dance, it feels like heaven to slip into a pair of burkenstocks.
that is a heck of a dress, I love the music for international dances!
ReplyDeletePoke the Rock
DeleteThanks. We were about to dance to a Viennese Waltz. Actually, my least favorite dance.
One of my dreams is to wear a dress like that. Wow!
ReplyDeleteRosalind,
DeleteSeems like I heard you say something like that before. Then I think you should have a dress like that.
Thanks, Ros
Look at you go, I'd be afriad someone would yank me by the tail.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
DeleteCan't let that happen. You just gotta yank back. LOL
Interesting. I vote for tails too :0
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging!
Kaye Draper at Write Me
Kaye
DeleteThanks for the visit and the comment.
That cat would enjoy
ReplyDeleteThe tail ploy
As he'd want to play
Watching them twirl away
And Pat would be on the floor
So all would be right at our shore haha
Oh Cat would have fun
DeleteCatching a tail on the run
He'd teach it to twitch
Like his own with an itch
But he'd stop all the romp
When high heel on the tail would tromp
Great theme, here in the UK I always watch Strictly Come Dancing. Good entertainment away from the doom and gloom of the news.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
Yvonne
DeleteYou have so much good dancing and places to dance in the UK. I used to want to move there when I was younger.... just for the dancing but often we can't leave family
Thanks for dropping in.
My wife is a manager at a dance studio and a pretty good dancer herself (at least I think so) The owner is a past US champion and the instructors and some of the students are amazing. Still she will never get me on the floor...but I am learning to like to watch.
ReplyDeleteI am a closet DWS fan...Len is my favorite.
HaHA THAT is so cute, being a closet DWS fan. Len is my favorite too. I always try to judge the same as Len.
DeleteThank you for dropping in.
Manzanita, You are a picture in that gown. So elegant. I only wish you had some video that you could show us of you actually dancing. Now, that would be something. I read in your comments that you sewed all of your costumes. That is amazing. You really got into the Entirety of it, didn't you? I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteRobin
DeleteThey were all on VHS and I've tossed most of them because I've moved so much. I have very few pictures, too. The digital is so much better for taking pictures now but I wonder if they will hold up as well as the old film paper.
Yes, there was much satisfaction in designing and making my own costumes. I didn't really like to sew all that much but I bought a good dress form and just make her a dress. Ha
Thanks, Robin
Very classy picture of the two of you. Though ballroom dancing is a pretty class sport, in my view.
ReplyDeleteMark
DeleteI always thought it was. We referred to men as gentlemen and they behaved like gentlemen. Hardly ever any drinking because even though people think drinking makes them better... haha.... the opposite. Timing gets way off and can't have that happening in a competition.
Delightful explanation! Great picture. Keep on dancing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Dear Bear
DeleteI don't social dance anymore. I still teach flamenco and I have a few classes in Latin and West Coast Swing. There isn't room in my studio for ballroom. Now I just like to coach and problem solve.
Thank you bear.
Hey Manzanita,
ReplyDeleteFlippin' heck! Y'all are a treasure as you dance to the joys of carefree fulfilment. I'd quite like a dress like that :)
Be well, smile, dance and yep, happy alphabeting.
Gary
Klahanie
DeleteI'd loan you mine. What size are you?
J Day tomorrow. Don't J-walk.
Manzie
I'm a size zero. Although, cause they don't have a size zero in lil' ol' England, I wear a size one.
DeleteJ day for you. And Penny needs a P :)
Oh, how much fun you must have had, dancing these wonderful dances with guys in tails and you in pretty dresses!
ReplyDeleteInger
DeleteTo me, it was the most wonderful hobby and I was meant to dance this life. When my Vedic astrologer teacher first looked at my Vedic chart, he said, "You were supposed to be a dancer this life." He meant professional and famous. I told him I chose it as a hobby, instead.
Thanks, Inger