| Medium of instruction: | English |
Versatile Foxtrot
Ballroom dancing, of which the Foxtrot is one type, was enjoying great popularity. It was needed to develop a dance form that could express the slow syncopated 4/4 rhythm and still remain on-the-spot. The Foxtrot evolved from the two-step. Unlike the two-step, it is done with a broken rather than an even beat (slow-slow, quick-quick). Foxtrot quickly developed into the most popular social dance. It is the easiest to pick up and the hardest to master. Today, the Foxtrot is danced to popular musical standards such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. It is an extremely versatile dance and can be performed to such music as fast country-western as well as slow tangos. The foxtrot is a must have in a social dancers quiver and it can be relied upon when all else fails. The bronze level of Foxtrot in the American style requires a closing of the feet after side steps. The silver and higher levels involve more movement and fluidity. There are two Foxtrots in the international style – slow and fast. Today, the fast style is known as Quickstep and regarded as a separate dance.
Foxtrot Features
1. In the International Standard of ballroom dance, the Foxtrot is called the Slow Foxtrot, and the faster version is the Quickstep
2. The International style has more of an English form, with more emphasis on hold, foot positions and steps. In the American style, the lady is often held at a slightly greater distance from the male partner
3. The American style of Foxtrot is often considered more open and creative. International Standard style Foxtrot tends to stay in a closed position, whereas the American Smooth style couples will open and separate the couple as well.
4. The American style, being somewhat simpler, is more popular with social dances than the International Standard. However, both styles are done socially.
History
The Foxtrot originated in the summer of 1914 by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox. Born Arthur Carringford in Pomona, California, in 1882, he adopted the stage name of "Fox" after his grandfather.The Fox-trot originated in the Jardin de Danse on the roof of the New York Theatre. As part of his act downstairs, Harry Fox was doing trotting steps to ragtime music, and people referred to his dance as "Fox's Trot." Soon the foxtrort became popular among the elite of the dancing world.
The Foxtrot was the most significant development in all of ballroom dancing. The combination of quick and slow steps permits more flexibility and gives much greater dancing pleasure than the one-step and two-step which it has replaced. There is more variety in the fox-trot than in any other dance, and in some ways it is the hardest dance to learn!
The Foxtrot evolved from the two-step. Unlike the two-step, it is done with a broken rather than an even beat (slow-slow, quick-quick). By September 3rd 1914 “The American Society of Professors of Dancing” had set into motion the process of standardizing the steps of the Foxtrot.
In the American style, the Foxtrot is classified as a “Smooth” dance. In the international style, it is called a “Modern” or “Standard” dance. It progresses along the line of dance or otherwise counter-clockwise around the dance floor. It is characterized by its continuity, a rhythmic rise and fall as well as rotation.
Foxtrot quickly developed into the most popular social dance. It is the easiest to pick up and the hardest to master. Today, the Foxtrot is danced to popular musical standards such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. It is an extremely versatile dance and can be performed to such music as fast country-western as well as slow tangos. The foxtrot is a must have in a social dancers quiver and it can be relied upon when all else fails.
The Foxtrot has evolved into several versions. Two Foxtrots are the Swing and the Jitterbug. One fast Foxtrot that was earlier called the One-step is now known as the Quickstep. A faster version of the original is set to Waltz music. The Peabody and the Roseland Foxtrot are different names for the Foxtrot. Because of the variations in the Foxtrot and their popularity, the Foxtrot is known as an incredibly social dance.
Music
• Timing: 4/4
• Tempo: 112 - 120 beats per minute
• Music: Medium Slow jazz / swing music
• Competition: 1,5 - 2 minutes
• Basic Rhythm : Slow Slow Quick Quick
American Syllabus
|
BRONZE |
SILVER |
GOLD |
|---|---|---|
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Quarter Turns |
Open Left Box Turn |
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Rock Turns Left & Right |
Advanced Twinles |
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Swing Step |
open Left Rock Turn |
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Promenade Walk |
Open Swing Turn |
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Box Turn - Left & Right |
Open Right Turn |
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Simple Twinkles |
Twinkle & Twist |
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Forward Basic |
Grapevine |
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Twinkle & Pivots |
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Fallaway & Rock |
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International Syllabus
|
BRONZE |
SILVER |
GOLD |
|---|---|---|
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Feather |
Closed Telemark |
Natural Twist Turn with Natural Weave |
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Three Step |
Open Telemark & Feather Ending |
Curved Feather to Back Feather |
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Natural Turn |
Top Spin |
Natural ZigZag from PP |
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Reverse Turn w/Feather Finish |
Hover Feather |
Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
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Closed Impetus w/Feather Finish |
Hover Telemark to PP |
Natural Hover Telemark |
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Natural Weave |
Natural Telemark |
Bounce Fallaway w/Weave Ending |
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Change of Direction |
Hover Cross |
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Basic Weave |
Open Telemark |
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Reverse Weave |
Open Impetus |
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Weave from PP |
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Natural Twist Turn |
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Natural Weave from PP |
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| Classroom - Regular | ||||
| When | Duration | Where | Remarks | Price |
| Not Specified | Not Specified | All Venues | Not Specified | Price On Request |
Navi Mumbai, Vashi (Center):- Dr Ambedkar Bhavan, Above South Indian Bank, Near Gajanand Maharaj Mandir, Sec 29 Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Navi Mumbai, CBD Belapur (Center):- Inspiration Hobby Centre, Next to Dakshin Hotel, Sec 11, Near CBD Railway Station, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Navi Mumbai, Nerul West (Center):- Vazirani National Sports Academy Off Palm Beach Road, Sec 24, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
