Learn about the dances

Ballroom TangoThis style of Tango is thought to have been demonstrated in Paris in around 1906, but was so different from the other dances of the time it was considered somewhat obscene. It was modified to match with European tastes in dancing, and later became the first dance to be codified as a ballroom dance in the 1920s. Additional staccato movements were added in the 1950s to produce the Ballroom Tango as danced today. The hold is different in the Tango. The man's left arm is more towards head level. The general hold is far more compact and the couple are much tighter together. No rise and fall. This should be a very flat dance. The legs are therefore always slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be slightly bent at all times). You must see lots of clipped movements, not fluid like a waltz. The action must always be staccato, with sharp head turning and stops.Cha Cha ChaA dance developed from a Cuban Rumba step, The Cha Cha. When the English dance teacher Pierre Lavelle visited Cuba in 1952, he realised that sometimes the Rumba was danced with extra beats. When he returned to Britain, he started teaching these steps as a separate dance. The Cha Cha Cha and the Rumba have the same basic steps, they are just danced to a different rhythm. The Rumba is romantic whereas the Cha Cha Cha is bright and lively. It should be a cheeky dance.JiveFrom its beginnings in 1927, the dance soon became equated with youth. Older adults disapproved of it and tried to ban it from dance halls, claiming Jive was non-progressive and disturbed other dancers who were progressing anti-clockwise around the floor. It was brought to Europe by American G.Is during the second world war but was danced underground due to its 'corrupting influence'. When watching the jive we should feel that we are being transported back to the 1930s. It's a very fast dance. There must be no softness, with lots of sharp action. There should be lots of kicks and flicks, executed with a beautifully pointed toe and sharp action.Paso DobleThe Paso Doble is based on the bullfight. The man represents the bullfighter, 'Torero', and the lady the red cape or 'cappa'. It is danced to the characteristic march music used for procession at the beginning of a corrida. The dance should be very dramatic. Marching beat, matches movement of the bodies. Sharp movements. The dance should have elements of Flamenco dancing - this is all in the footwork.QuickstepDuring the 1920s many bands played the Quickstep too fast and some couples couldn't keep up. Over time, a faster version was born, absorbing extra elements of ragtime such as the Charleston. This led to the creation of what we today call the Quickstep. It should be a light, bright dance with tricky footwork. The dancers should look like they are dancing on hot coals - most of the moves should be up on the toes because of the speed. A lot of work on the balls of the feet and lots of spring from the feet.RumbaThe dance relies on the age-old premise of the lady trying to dominate the gentlemen by means of her womanly charms. Incorporating all the elements of teasing and withdrawal, it is considered the most sensual of the Latin dances. The Rumba is romantic - there should be good interaction between the dancers to reflect this. No heel leads: this means that the dancers must not walk on the heels of their feet. It must go ball flat onto ball of foot. The hip action comes from the flexing and straightening of the legs, it's not just a case of wiggling the bottom.WaltzThe Waltz has its history rooted in a peasant dance from the Provence area of France in 1559, from a piece of folk music called The Volta. Partners had to hold each other in such a close embrace that many declared it immoral; Louis 13th (1601-1643) even had it banned from court on this account. The footwork and steps should be kept very simple. We should be able to see a slight swaying action from the couple - a musical lilt - a gentle rise and fall. We should see lots of rotation.