SOCIAL DANCE

A group dance or couple dance done for social and usually recreational
purposes. A major category of dance sociability and socializing are the
primary focuses on dancing. Social dances are partner dances - in fact quite
often, ballroom or other partner dances are kept in mind. Social dancing is a
non-competitive version of ballroom and Latin dancing. It is comprised of all
the same dances, like Foxtrot, Tango, Swing, or Cha-Cha, but designed to be
used in practical settings like wedding receptions, nightclubs, business
functions, or informal gatherings.

Types of Social Dances (Ballroom Dance)

1. FOXTROT - This is an all-American dance set to jazz music and can be

fast or slow depending on the band. It is a smooth, progressive dance
characterized by long continuous flowing movements across the dance floor.
It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music.

2. WALTZ– The waltz is a soft, gentle, elegant, and romantic dance that uses
flowing movements to make the dancers appear to float across the dance
floor.

3. CHACHA-A fast ballroom dance of Latin American origin, similar to the

mambo, that follows a rhythmic pattern based upon a quick three-step
movement.

4. RUMBA – Rumba, also spelled rhumba, ballroom dance of Afro-Cuban

folk-dance origin that became internationally popular in the early 20th
century. Best known for the dancers' subtle side to side hip movements with
the torso erect, the rumba is danced with a basic pattern of two quick side
steps and a slow forward step.

5. SALSA- Salsa is possibly one of the most famous social dance types in the
world. Its origins can be sourced to African and the Caribbean. Salsa is
mainly characterized by its fast foot, footwork and its turning variations. It is
fun, flirty, sensual dance that is fun to learn. There are 4 major variations of
this dance style. These are the Cuban Style, the LA style, the NY style, and
the Columbian style.

6. SWING- Swing is a popular social dance that is often characterized by

lifts, spins and flips. Iťs generally upbeat, lively and a lot of fun to watch and
to dance. Like most dance styles, there are variations of the dance. It
includes some basic steps and then dancers have creative freedom to make
it their own.

BASIC POSITIONS IN SOCIAL DANCING

Basic Positions in Social Dancing

1. One -hand hold position

In the one-hand hold, only one hand is held, hence the name. Begin in the
open facing position (facing your partner within arm's reach). To enter the
one-hand hold position, grasp your partner's hand and leave the other hand
relaxed at your side.

2. Two-Hand Hold

Regardless of dancers' gender, ballroom couples have a designated

dominant/ leading and subordinate/following partner. Traditionally, a male
partner leads and a female partner follows.

In the two-hand hold position, both hands are held. Partners should stand
apart, facing one another. The male partner holds the female partner's
hands, while the female partner places her hands in the male partner's
grasp.

3. Closed Position

The closed position is another position common in ballroom dancing, In this

position, the partners stand close enough to each other that their bodies
touch, but slightly off to the left, This enables each dancer's right foot to step
between their partner's feet.

In the closed position, the male partner rests his right hand on the female
partner's back while holding her right hand with his left hand. The female
partner places her left hand on the male partner's upper arm.

4. The outside right position (or right parallel) position

The outside right position (or right parallel) is similar to the basic closed
position, with the exception of the placement of the feet.

In the outside right position, the female partner's feet should be to the right
of the male partner's feet.
5. The outside left (or left parallel) position

The outside left (or left parallel) position is also similar to the basic closed
position. Again, the only difference is the placement of the feet.

In outside left position, the female partner places her feet to the left of the
male partner's

feet.

6. Promenade position

In the promenade position, both partners face the same direction instead of
facing one another. Their bodies form a sort of "V" shape. The promenade is
a forward movement. Since the dancers are facing in the same direction,
both move forward at the same time.

7. The fall away position is similar to the promenade position, except the
dancers move backward instead of forward. In the fall away position, both
partners take small steps backward at the same time.

8. Shadow Position

In the shadow position, partners "shadow" each other's moves. Working from
either a closed position (touching), semi-closed (slightly apart) or totally
apart, partners should face the same direction, with one partner either in
front of the other or slightly to their left right. Partners should step with the
same foot in the same direction. Their movements should act as a shadow to
each other, as the name of the position suggests.

9. Skater's Position

In the skater's position, partners join hands in front of their bodies. The right
hands are joined below and left hands are joined above.

10. Challenge Position

In the challenge position, the male and female partners face one another but
stand apart and without making contact.

11. Varsovienne position

Partners face the same direction, the gent in front of the lady and to her
right. She holds his L hand in her slightly in front and above his shoulder. Her
right arm passes behind his shoulders, and her R hand holds his right, again
to the side and above his shoulder.

12. Wrap position

Cuddle or wrap position (also called Sweetheart or Sweetheart's Wrap): The

gent wraps his R arm around the woman's waist; she wraps her L arm around
her in front to hold his R hand. She wraps her R arm over her L arm and
across her front to hold hisL hand.

Cha- cha is a Cuban dance that evolved from the Mambo. The major
difference is that "the pause found in the Mambo is changed to a rapid triple
step." This triple step, when performed, sounds off a "cha cha" sound from
the stepping on the 3-and-4 beats. This motion is said to be enjoyable
because "to the elders it could be performed with the Rumba figures
substituted for the sexy wiggles favored by the young." The youth enjoy it
because it is another dance that allow for individual display. Cha- cha uses an
uneven beat pattern of slow, slow, quick, quick slow. The counting is 2,3,4
and 1, with the 4-and-1 as the familiar cha-cha - cha triple. The counting can
also be 1,2 cha cha cha.

Steps and Symbols used in Cha Cha Cha

Terms Steps & Symbols

PREPARATORY feet together (45 degree)

ROCK STEP weight is transferred from one foot to

another and then back.

CROSS STEP stepping one foot forward across to another

foot
CHA CHA CHA triple step (shifting weight from one foot to
another/step, step, |step/ R-L-Ror | L-R-L)

A. BASIC STEPS IN CHA CHA CHA

Preparatory Position

FRONT CHA CHA

Step 1- cts. 1 & 2 Rock Step in place (starting R foot step in front)

Step 2-cts. 3 & 4 Cha cha cha in place

Step 3 -cts. 5 & 6 Rock Step in place (step L foot in front)

Step 4- cuts. 7 & 8 Cha Cha Cha place

Repeat Step1-4 Starting L fot

2. Side to Side Cha Cha

Preparatory Position

Step 1 - cts. 1 & 2 Cross Step (ct. 1 step R foot diagonally forward left ct. 2
back to starting position)

Step 2-cts. 3&& 4 Cha Cha Cha in place (facing the audience)

Step 3 - cts. 5 & 6 Cross Step (ct. 5 step L foot diagonally forward left ct. 6
back to starting position)

Step 4- cts.7 & 8 Cha Cha Cha in place (facing the audience)

Repeat Step 1-4 Starting Lfoot

3. Forward and Backward Cha Cha

Preparatory Position

Step 1 - cts. 1 & 2 Rock Step (Forward starting R foot)

Step 2- cts. 3& 4 Cha Cha Cha in place (facing the audience)

Step 3- cts. 5&:6 Rock Step (Backward stepping L foot)

Step 4-cts. 7&8 Cha Cha Cha in place (facing the audience)

Repeat Step 1-4 Starting L foot

4. 123Cross Forward and Backward Cha Cha

*Execute this step by counting 1 23

Preparatory Position

Step 1 - cts. 1 23 Execute Cha Cha Cha Step forward by stepping R ft. across
L ft.

Step 2- cts. 1 23 Cha Cha Cha Forward L ft. across R foot

Step 3 - cts. 1 23 Cha Cha Cha step backward by stepping R ft. across L ft.

Step 4- cts. 1 23 Cha Cha Cha Backward L ft. across R foot

Repeat Step 1-4 Starting L foot

B. Cha - Cha Variations

1. Basic step with turn - basic step backward, step L forward, pivot R foot
and make a full turn.

2. Cross cha cha – cross R over L foot sideward, step L foot close to r foot,
step R, L, R in place.

3. Grapevine - step R foot sideward, cross- step L in rear of R foot, step R

foot sideward cross -step L backward, step R foot sideward close to L foot.
This can be done as many measures as required.

4. Small steps - steps are done in place; step R andL foot alternately with a
little raised of heels.

5. Double cross-step - step R foot over L foot twice with a raise of L foot
and repeat to the left. This can be done as many measures as required.

6. Side cha cha - step foot sideward and step L foot in place; step R foot
close to the L foot in place.

7. Step kick - step R foot in place then kick R foot obliquely forward L; This
can be done R and L alternately.

8. Square cha cha-step Rfoot forward, L foot, step Rsideward close L foot
to R and step R foot in place and and two steps in place, repeat as many
times as required.