Rumba - Latin Dance Class

Rumba which can be traced back to the African slaves, is the spirit and soul of Latin American music and dance. It has a fascinating rhythm and bodily expressions which enable the lady dancer to express her grace and feminity, while the male can put the best foot forward as he reels under spell of the music and sheer joy of being alive!. Since this dance form can be traced to cuba it is also known as the Cuban Rumba. Flirtatious rhythms of rumba make it a favorite of social and ballroom dancers alike. A dance of love, it is characterized by its suggestive body movement and sensual and romantic combination of African and Latin rhythms and Spanish melodies . The rumba had its origin with African negro slaves imported into Cuba whose dances emphasized the movement of the body rather then the feet the tune was considered less important then the complex cross rhythms being provided by a percussion of pots spoon bottle etc.

This dance evolved in Havana in the 19th Century. The name rumba possibly derives from the term 'rumboso orquestra' which was used for a dance band in 1807, although in Spanish the word rumbo means rout, or heap pile and rum is of course an intoxicating liquor popular in the Caribbean. Any of which might have been used descriptively when the dance was being formed. The rumba was introduced into the USA in the 1930s as a composite of this rural rumba with the 'guaracha' the 'son' and the Cuban 'bolero' . It was particularly popularized in 1953 by George raft who played the part of the suave dancer who wins the heart of an heiress through out the dance in the movie 'Rumba'.

Basic-II

Intermediate

Cinderella School of Ballroom Dancing

Welcome to the Cinderella School of Ballroom Dancing. Ballroom dancing is as romantic as it is enjoyable. For years the world’s greatest romantics have known that the best way to a lady’s heart is to sweep her across the dance floor. Think of all the countless number of relationships that would have never started without the world’s best ice breaker; "May I have this dance?".

The romantic properties of dance are a secret that all good dancers enjoy. For men, being able to recognize the rhythm of the music and having the confidence to walk across the floor and ask a lady for that dance is social prerequisite. For ladies, they will always be in demand as a partner, once they master the grace, poise and styling.In fact, a recent survey shows that most women prefer a night of dancing to flowers or chocolates for St. Valentine’s Day.

The word ballroom denotes a room where balls, that is, formal social dances may be held. Balls were important social events in the days before radio and television. The word ball is derived from the Latin word ‘Balare’ which means to dance. Ballroom dances are grouped into two categories, Standard & Latin.

A distinguishing feature of the Standard dances is that the partners dance in close hold and never in separation, unlike the Latin dances, which are often danced in separation and in coordination between the partners. The standard category consists of the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot & Quick step; while the Latin ones are the Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Jive & Paso Doble.