Intro to Ballroom Dancing

My husband and I just had a weekend full of free Grand Re-Opening festivities for our studio, Tropical Ballroom's new location kickoff.

After selling 137 discounted Living Social deals last week, and another 40 first-timers sampling our free classes in our studio Saturday, I decided I should blog about some behind-the-scenes facts about ballroom dancing! Have you ever watched Dancing with the Stars, or walked by Tropical Ballroom and wondered what everything means?

Well, let me fill you in! First of all, "Ballroom" is not a dance. Ballroom is a category that consists of many styles of dances, sub-categorized as Rhythm, Smooth, Social, and Street dances. The 5 most common Rhythm dances are: Rumba, East Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Bolero, and Mambo.

The 4 most common Smooth dances are: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz. Social and Street dances include: West Coast Swing, Hustle, Night Club 2-Step, Argentine Tango, Salsa, and more.

Typically, the Smooth dances are the dances that travel around the floor, and Rhythm dances are the dances that stay in place. If you take your Ballroom dancing to the competition floor, requirements are long dresses and closed-toe shoes for the Smooth dances, and short dresses and open-toe shoes for the Rhythm dances.

Female dancers wear tan-colored dance shoes to blend in with the color of the dance floor, which helps to hide footwork mistakes! -I bet you didn't know there was more to the tan color than just the fact that it goes with any outfit! For Smooth dances, ladies wear their hair pulled all the way back, out of their face, and for Rhythm dances they can wear some of their hair down, but still should be pulled out of their face. Rhinestones on the dresses are only allowed when you have reached a certain age level, or dance level.

You may have also heard the subcategories: Standard and Latin. These are the International styles of our dances, where you always stay connected to your partner.  So, these are my "Fun Facts!" Now, where do you begin? It depends on your goal. For exercise, start with Salsa.

For an upcoming wedding reception, start with Rumba. For going out to a live band, start with Swing. Love to spin & turn? Try Country 2-Step. For a sassy performance, try a Tango. For competition, get dedicated, because you can compete in the "5 rhythm dances" and/or the "4 smooth dances."

Warning: You will get hooked! Dancing is an addiction! Two most Frequently Asked Questions: (1.) Do I need a Partner? No. People without partners dance with each other or the Instructors. (2.) What do I wear for shoes? Carry in a clean, dry pair of smooth-bottom shoes to change into, or come early to purchase a pair of customizable suede-bottom ballroom dance shoes.