The Q&A Times - Is ballroom dancing the same old waltz?

Is ballroom dancing the same old waltz?
By Steve Bohling
Dec 31, 2008, 10:25

Answer: Ballroom dancing is not hard to learn. It is not necessary to have �natural talent�, a fit body or even a dance partner. The best way to assure your success is to have a knowledgeable instructor. The social patterns are not difficult and were designed to showcase the characteristics of the dance and timing. If you are tired of sitting on the sidelines or need some new moves, ask around. I think you will be surprised to learn how many people are taking lessons somewhere. When people ask me if I have seen any changes in ballroom dancing, I sense what they really want to know is something more personal. They are curious about whether or not they might look uncool or outdated. The answer is no. These styles were developed for the music they are danced too. They are refined and polished and by no means look outdated. In fact, many of the more modern dances like Hip-Hop and Jazz share patterns and ideas with ballroom dances like Samba, Foxtrot, and Cha-Cha. Ballroom dancing has kept pace with the changes and variations of music, and in some ways, surpassed its musical counterpart. For many people these days, ballroom dancing and dancing in general is very much associated with competition (ie,.. Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Olympics) we must remember that it is very much an art form, too. In both senses, we should expect that either through competition or art, the best practitioners are going to push the limit as to what is considered good dancing. That is indeed what has occurred. Ballroom/Latin dancing has become more energetic and athletic and has continued to push the limits of what two bodies can do to music. After attending a live competition, many of my students remark how surreal the experience was. I realized not long ago that the expectations where quite different from the real thing. Some thoughts expressed to me were that the crowd acted more, �like a hockey game.� Others commented, �that had to hurt!� and �I don�t know what I saw, but it was beautiful.� Unlike other art forms performed on a stage, or sports events where lets face it, your best view is still on the Jumbo-tron screen, ballroom dancing is in your face, literally. Professionals have perfected their �craft� allowing them to dart in and out of traffic and avoid other dancers. Their uncanny ability to dance right to the edge of the dance floor at full speed and stop on a dime is at times a bit unnerving for those sitting in the the front row. You might think that was just luck; seeing that they never seem to look down, but when they dip and sway the girl right over the top of your table, with a wink and smile, you know instantly they knew where they were the whole time. In some ballroom circles there is debate as too how much ballroom/Latin dancing has changed. However, it really only takes a few searches on Youtube to discover that what we considered great dancing then and now, are very different. In comparison to the competitive dancing of today, that of the �60s and �70s looks very social. Try searching for �Bill and Bobbie Irvine; 1960s Ballroom Champions�. Then compare that to �2008 Emerald Ball Paul Borbala Pro Smooth Foxtrot�. You will see some of the differences I am alluding to. For Latin style dancing, search �Max and Yulia demo at Blackpool 06�. You can also look at other related videos, but keep in mind nothing is like seeing in person. The closest competition to Wichita is the KC Heart of America Dance Championship. Hope to see you there.