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Ballroom dance, refers collectively to a set of Partner Dance s, which originated in the Western World and are now enjoyed both Socially and Competitively around the globe. Its Performance and Entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on Stage , in Film , and on Television . It is for young and old. While historically ''ballroom dance'' may refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation, with the eminence of Dancesport in modern times the term has become much narrower in scope, usually referring specifically to the International Standard and International Latin style dances (see Dance Groupings below). In the United States, two additional variations—"American Smooth" and "American Rhythm"—have also been popularized and are commonly recognized as styles of "ballroom dance". DEFINITIONS AND HISTORY The term "ballroom dancing" is derived from the word '' Ball '', which in turn originates from the Latin word ''ballare'' which means "to dance". In times past, ballroom dancing was " Social Dancing " for the privileged, leaving " Folk Dancing " for the lower classes. These boundaries have since become blurred, and it should be noted even in times long gone, many "ballroom" dances were really elevated folk dances. 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 considered to be Historical Dance s. Today, the term applies to any one of the several dances in which two individuals, a "leader" and a "follower," dance with physical contact through their upper or lower bodies, or simply their arms depending on the particular variety of dance. Since most social dancing is unchoreographed, this contact is necessary for the leader to communicate the next dance move to the follower, and for the follower to respond to this insinuation. This stands in stark contrast with the style(s) of dance seen in clubs and other social gatherings where physical contact tends to be optional and the individuals in question can move freely without any such restraints imposed by firm physical contact or by the necessity to follow the rhythmic pattern present in the music. Some knowledge of known step patterns is essential for both the leader as well as the follower for ballroom dancing. As most ballroom style dances require some knowledge and practice, they have lessened in popularity among the public in the recent decades. Dance historians usually mark the appearance of the Twist in the mid 1960s as the end of social partner dancing. Rogers and Astaire In the early 20th century, the on-screen dance pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers greatly influenced ballroom dancing in the USA. Although both Actor s had separate projects and careers, they are associated for their filmed dance sequences together, which included portrayals of early 20th century dancers Vernon And Irene Castle and have reached iconic status. Much of Astaire and Rogers' work portrayed social dancing, although the performances were highly choreographed (often by Astaire or Hermes Pan ), and meticulously staged and rehearsed. Modern ballroom movements Classic and ) or a particular song (such as YMCA or La Macarena ). COMPETITIVE DANCING , hosted by BYU ]]In spite of its historical image as a pastime for the privileged; formal competitions, sometimes referred to as DanceSport , often allow participation by less advanced dancers at various proficiency levels. |
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