A little Stylistics
There are various dance styles in this world—and per style in turn various interpretations and emphases, e.g. on figure material or the execution of figures. Here we give a brief overview of the most important dance styles in connection with the association and what it offers. Nota bene: from our point of view.
Social Dancing. The name says it all here: This is about the dances danced in the context of social occasions and the style commonly used in this context. This style is suitable and applicable from the family party to the dance evening to the formal dance evening. The focus is often on the figure material; the content is usually based on the World Dance Programme and, in addition to the most important standard and Latin dances, also includes Rhythm (Foxtrot), Discofox as well as the basics of Merengue and Salsa and—in part—Tango Argentino.
Social Ballroom. This style forms the transition from social dancing to ballroom dancing: very suitable for social occasions of all kinds, this type of dancing offers a comprehensive repertoire of figures, but also pays a certain attention to the attractive togetherness with partner and situation.
Ballroom. In a stricter sense, Ballroom Dancing includes the dances Slow Waltz, (English) Tango, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep in the English style according to ISTD/IDTA; we also include the Viennese Waltz (together “Ballroom Standard”) as well as the Latin programme (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive, “Ballroom Latin”) and focus on the way they are performed: Skilful movements, always adapted to the current situation and ideally matched to the partner, this style is perfectly suited for almost all occasions—and also suitable for show and competition dancing. The focus is on the enjoyment of dancing together and the artistic play with music and space.
American. The styles “American Smooth” and “American Rhythm”, which are widespread in (North) America, are close to ballroom dancing and can be interpreted as American standard/Latin dancing. American Smooth includes the dances Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz; American Rhythm includes Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo. In general, the American style is softer and, especially in the area of standard dances, is characterised by many open figures that do not exist in the ballroom style. Some dance schools teach a kind of “Social American”, which can be equated with ballroom dances in its application.
Competitive. These styles are aimed at competition and/or show success in the corresponding basic style and include high athletic demands and partly acrobatic requirements with breathtaking actions as well as high injury potential in some passages.
Due to developments in recent years, the term “Competitive Ballroom” no longer seems appropriate, which is why we use the term “Competitive International”; this style is exclusively suitable for use in competitions (and also here primarily WDSF). In the American style, the demarcation of “Competitive American” is less sharp, but here too the use of the tournament style in the context of social events is not advisable.
Latino. The Latino dances include the dances that are widespread in Latin America in the styles that are common there. These include Salsa (in the Cubana, LA-style and New York-style forms), Son, Merengue and Bachata, but also more “exotic” dances such as Kizomba, Zouk and Reggaeton. In some cases, the Argentine Tango (Tango Argentino), including its Milonga and Vals, is also considered a Latino dance.
Other styles that will not be discussed further here are single dances, line dances and popular or party dances. The distinction is not always clear-cut: for example, Rhythm and Discofox are partly classified as popular dances and partly as social dances; Tango Argentino is also partly considered a popular dance. The study of styles therefore only offers a rough guideline.
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