From Egypt to Disco

For some reason, whenever a good beat comes on - most people cannot withhold their desire to start tapping an appendage or bobbing their head. It is as if music and rhythm is hardwired into our brain.

In truth, there might be some more grain to the salt than we think. Everything in the universe has a frequency, and it seems we strive for consistent rhythm in all that we do. To be healthy, successful, skillful or even attractive - it's always about harmony of rhythm in something.

Music and Dance are One

Many centuries ago, music and dance were one thing. The few tribes that are left today in uncivilized parts of the world can hold evidence of that through their rituals. In ages past, mankind used music and dance as a symbiotic feeling - an expression that everyone could partake in and feel higher, better and more powerful.

Sadly, music in some venues has separated from dance and now the two are often seen as separate activities. You no longer see live bands catering to a crowd that wants to listen and dance along, but rather people listening to music in stationary situations. Dance, especially for most guys, has become a "spectator sport."

A 600 year old story

Thankfully, there is still hope for the world and for people seeking something to do on the weekends other than getting wasted or giving more money to Hollywood's ever-disapointing new releases. Enter ballroom dance.

Although only relatively recently has ballroom come to the center stage thanks to shows like Dancing with the Stars (which, by the way, my partner and I were competitors on during their tour as you can see in my profile picture), it has actually been around for a very long time.

Circa 600 years ago, the first ballroom dances came around in the prestigious courts of the wealthy. They followed the development of music at the time, and with the invention of pianos, violins and more interesting arsenals, the composers of the time supplied endless amounts of minuets, waltzes and so on.

These styles, however, remained relatively unchanged, exclusive to the rich and quite honestly very boring. It was not until the early part of the 20th century that things started to take off. With the evolution of jazz, immigration of blacks from all parts of the world and the industrial revolution - places like New York and Havana were the foundries of new dances, new music and a vibrant new set of styles that would change partnership dance forever.

The rise of DanceSport

Around that time, partnership dance started to become something more organized. It was not only reserved for the court - it was not something people wanted to compete in, go out and do socially, and overall make a deal of it.

Various organizations formed and started to consider the previous 600 years and what was important enough to write down. Compiling a list of steps, they eventually came out with one of the first dance manuals in the early part of the century. Competitions started being held, and eventually more and more people wanted to be a "DanceSport Athlete."

But there was something missing. At the same time, people were dancing jive in New York, mambo in Havana and samba in Brasilia. They were not only changing culture, they were having fun and breaking a sweat. These were the true DanceSport athletes.

So, eventually it was decided that DanceSport - the official nature of ballroom dance as a competitive sport - need have not only the old, traditional dances like the waltz, but had to fuse with the growing cultural phenomenon that would later be categorized as the Latin dances. It was the only way to make it popular, appealing and complete.

Partnership Dance in the States

For a long time, DanceSport never reached the States. While the Europeans were busy attending the annual competition in Blackpool (the most prestigious and important competition in the world even to this day), the Americans were busy grooving to new music and working with different styles.

Eventually, someone figured out that dance could catch on and make them money. Arthur Murray was his name, and you may recognize him from the franchise and classic name he left behind in ballroom dance.

Arthur Murray compiled a list of steps in his famous books on learning to dance and sold them nationally. Soon he was able to start a franchise dance studio and eventually was the name to go to for dance lessons in America. Before there was ever a Fred Astaire, Arthur Murray organized and popularized ballroom dance to the entire nation.

Yet even with Arthur's clever books there was still something missing in the area of competition. America's liberal, free spirited nature lent itself to creative new styles of dance and fusions, though it held very little substance when it came to promoting a disciplined thing such as competing in it. People wanted to get out and dance at the local club, not tac a number to their backs and perform well rehearsed choreography.

The Two Titans of Ballroom Dance

With the adaptations of Arthur Murray and the greater popular preference for social styles rather than strict competitive ones, an overrall distinct style emerged in the states that is now separate from the European one.

In the DanceSport world, the two major competitive/instructional styles are American and International. American style is a more social style, characterized by easy-to-learn patterns, generally more playful and "street"-like feel and only competed/danced in the States. The international style, however, is competed in the rest of the world and treated more as a competitive/athletic form and less of a social one (though people do dance it socially). The emphasis with international is more on good technique and body movement, speed and performance.

For a good while, the international style did not make it to the States very much. It wasn't until the late 70's and early 80's that it became a more popular thing for people to do. Today, thousands of couples compete in the style and many top ranking, world-class competitors have represented the United States.

Breakdown of the Styles

Now that you have had your quick history lesson, here is a general breakdown of each style and what dances it comprises of.

American Style

• American Rhythm - Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Mambo & Bolero. It is characterized by an "ethnic" feel, playfullness and a little dirtier and less proper
• American Smooth - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Vienesse Waltz. A very balletic style, it incorporates many modern dance movements and is very "showy". The partners are allowed to separate and do "open work" (this will make sense later).

International Style

• International Latin - Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive. Characterized by speed, accuracy and precision of movement, as well as aesthetic body lines created in the choreography.
• International Standard - Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango, Vienesse Waltz. The hardest style to master. Focus on excellent technique, balance, timing and a very "proper" demeanor. The partners cannot leave dance position and are always connected to each other in a frame, as well as at the torso.

Now it's your turn!

So which one do you think you like right off the bat?

I personally compete in the International Latin style with my girlfriend and partner, although we started in American Rhythm with our university's classes and eventually just got the competition bug.

The overviews that I've given are extremely general - each dance has its history and intricacies. It has its characteristics, moods and interpretations. Additionally, there are many dances that weren't even mentioned - remember, the organizations that be categorized the dances they thought would serve well as competitive styles - there are dozens of social styles out there that are very enjoyable.

So, stay tuned for more articles on each dance - where it comes from, where it is now and how to even do a few steps yourself!