Ballroom dancing, depending on how it is defined, may refer to a wide variety of partner dances. Typically it includes Standard (also known as Modern) dances such as waltz or foxtrot, and Latin (also termed Rhythm) dances such as cha cha and rumba. Standard dances are normally danced to straight-beat, Western music; couples dance around the floor; and when formalized, the lady wears a long gown and the gentleman a bow-tie and tails. Latin dances are normally danced to off-beat, latin or jive music; couples may dance more-or-less in one spot or move around the floor; and when formalized, the woman wears a short-skirt latin outfit and the man dresses in black. The dances have origins in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. International Style dances are mainly British versions of such dances; likewise American Style (also called Social Style) dances are versions that evolved in the United States.

Sometimes other dances such as nightclub (including many types of swing) are included under the umbrella term “ballroom dance” – see “Dance Grouping” section below.

The term ballroom dancing is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare, meaning “to dance”.

The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era. Balls have featured Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Pas de Gras, Mazurka, and other popular dances of the day, which are now placed into the category of historical dances.

In times past, ballroom dancing was “social dancing” of privileged classes, leaving “folk dancing” for the lower classes. Today it is much more democratic, and the boundaries between once-polarized ballroom and folk dances have become blurred. However, most competitive ballroom dances were social and/or folk dances before being formalized as ballroom dances, and many of these dances are still danced as social and folk dance. Even in times long gone, many “ballroom” dances were really elevated folk dances.

Ballroom dancing has been in continual use as a social art form since its inception with one exception in the 20th century. Dance historians usually mark the appearance of the Twist in the mid 1960s as the end of social partner dancing, and they credit what was then called the Latin Hustle for bringing it back in the late 1970s.

Today, ballroom dancing is enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. In particular in the last few years the television series Strictly Come Dancing in the UK and Dancing With The Stars in the US have helped to revive ballroom dancing and make ballroom dancing as popular as it has ever been!

To find out even more information about Ballroom Dancing check out this ballroom dancing site!

The truth is that Ballroom Dancing is growing in popularity on an almost daily basis, mainly thanks to programs like “Dancing With The Stars” in the US and “Strictly Come Dancing” in the UK. Even real men
don’t mind the thought of ballroom dancing so much these days, with the likes of Evander Holyfield (Dancing With The Stars) and Darren Gough (Strictly Come Dancing) leading the way!