The last century was the information age of dancing, America was unusual in that it had its own active dance "documenters" who did more or less the same thing in the U.S. that the English did in England. However the U.S. was much less influential in the dance world, so their style didn't spread as fast or as far.. The English had the British Empire where the sun never set. and the English simply enforced their standards more broadly. Later on, they mostly decided who won the "International" competitions.
"The creative dancer is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others."
"Be My Love" by Mario Lanza
Many years ago, "ballroom dancing" was very different. Dancing was developed in different environments, and for different reasons. But in this century, the dances in the two disciplines grow a little closer, until now, the distinctions are mostly technical. At the same time there are new dances introduced weekly simply to avoid the technicalities that have evolved in the disciplines. It has caused many of us recently to start questioning the American style, asking, "Why are we doing this? What is it about American style that makes it unique and worthwhile?"
"PS, I Love You" by the Hilltoppers
The revolution in ballroom dancing is at hand and fusion is coming in from all sides. The world of "social dance" recognizes that Foxtrot and Jive are American not English. Waltz is not English either. And everyone knows that Paso Doble is Spanish. The Latin dances are increasing and becoming more solid in our social dance environment. Rumba and Cha Cha Cha remaining as the most solid of the Latin social dances in Hawaii and throughout the world.
"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak." ~old Hopi Indian Saying
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