New Vogue Style Dance
New Vogue Style Dance.
New Vogue is a uniquely Australian version of ballroom dancing. The New Vogue style is recognised in Australia and New Zealand dancesport along with International Standard (Ballroom) and Latin styles. Dancers can study for practical tests "medals" in New Vogue or compete. It is common in Australia and New Zealand for New Vogue dancers to also dance Standard and vice versa.
New Vogue dances are choreographed for all the Standard and Latin dance rhythms plus a march time. As sequence dances there is just one routine lasting for either 16 or 32 bars of music. There are 15 standard New Vogue dances used in competitions and medal tests: they include 5 waltzes (fast waltz slightly slower than Viennese Waltz), 5 foxtrots, 3 tangos and 2 marches.
HIstory of New Vogue Style Dancing
New Vogue developed in Australia in the 1930s and 1940s from English Old Time dancing. Old Time is a sequence dance too, but uses a more turned out foot position which limits the amount of movement that a good dancer can get. New Vogue uses ballroom technique - for example the waltz turns at the end of many New Vogue waltz sequences are normal waltz natural turns - so a good dancer can really make the dance move a tremendous distance.
- NEW VOGUE DANCING
New Vogue Dances: Scripts and descriptions of holds
New Vogue Technique
The technique for both are identical to Standard ballroom for the footwork, but with more room for artistic expression with the arm lines. New Vogue is a great exercise for balance as partners are often at arms-length or out of contact so have to hold their own balance precisely.
For beginners, the woman may feel more out of her comfit zone as a lot of the easier dances have the women dance in front of the man, backing him, in shadow hold. She also often has a free arm "to do something with" which a bit scary if you flunked Ballet Beginners! In fact as the dancers improve the free arm become a natural extension of the body shape, but until the body shape is developed it is probably best to put the arm inoffensively either straight out or on the hip, out of harms way! For the beginner male dancer New Vogue is relatively easy who does not have to remember extra choreography or learn to manoeuvre around the floor - just keep going anti-clockwise will work!
The key features of New Vogue which makes it a unique dance style and of enduring popularity are:
- a huge variety of dances: even when restricted to the 15 used in competition this is a lot dances;
- good variety of difficulty from simpler to more difficult;
- can fit more couples on the floor as everyone is dancing in sequence
- there is more freedom of expression for competitive dancers as the variety of holds with the women in front of the man to the side allows a lot more body shape than is technically possible in standard ballroom hold.
- predominantly standard speed music is used so there is a some nice modern music to dance to.
- although a sequence there is a surprising variety of body lines, shapes and arm lines particularly when watching higher level competitors which makes it a popular spectator dance form
Adult Level 4: Lucille Waltz, Barclay Blues, La Bomba, Carousel
For more details on New Vogue Style Dances please see:
Adult Open: Swing Waltz, Barclay Blues
Comments
New Vogue is the Australian form of Sequence dancing which was developed in the 1930's. Sequence dancing originated in the UK in the early 1900's. English Old time dancing is sequence dancing. I found a list of English Sequence dances and the only Australian New Vogue Competition dance that wasn't in that list was the Tango Terrific.
- AUTHOR
Tony - you confusing old tyme dance and New Vogue. New Vogue only exists in Australia and New Zealand - its based on ballroom technique. Old Tyme is much older developed in the UK and has more turned out position especially noteicable in the waltz turns at the end of the sequence
New Vogue Dancing may be dying out in the UK but it's alive and well in Australia. Recently we held a ball for the launch of our latest CD "THOSE FABULOUS FIFTIES" on the Gold Coast and had a roll up of over 150 patrons who danced the night away and had a wonderful evening.
I give you credit. I'm way too much of a coward to get out and dance in front of others. I have no grace at all. I've never seen this style either. Now, I'll probably see it everywhere :)
- AUTHOR
Oh marginal imogen but you have a nice site so I left it! Though I would never wear dance sneakers myself - and I am surprised people use them for argentine tango_ you really need that high heel - its actually easier than standing on your toes without the aid of a heel! But I guess they might suit some people
Hi! I just stumbled across your site and I dance argentine tango. I've never heard of "tangoette" so I thank you for sharing. And thanks for introducing me to New Vogue. Ballroom is like a whole new world for me.
Imogen
- AUTHOR
I love your comment re-gentle exercise 2Pats - my feet hurt, my legs hurt, sometimes my ribs hurt.... but we are dancing 5 X a week in the runup for a big comp!
Sounds like fun, and a good way to get some gentle exercise. Love the pic!
NEW VOGUE DANCING IS KNOWN IN THE UK AS SEQUENCE DANCING
MAY YEARS BEFORE NEW VOGUE CAME INTO BEING
STILL MANY CLUBS BUT SLOWLY DYING OUT
GOOD LUCK WITH DANCING IN AUS
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