What do we dance?

by Daniel Correia, Salt Lake

Ballroom dancing has always been a set of partner dances that have for several centuries been enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. And much performance dancing has been done for ages before that.

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,

however improbable, must be the truth."

Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, in the 20th century, ballroom dance has also been widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. In Hawaii Ballrooms, it has always been a must. And we have been fortunate to have so many good exhibition dancers on our dance floors.

Ballroom dance has always referred, at its widest, to almost any type of social dancing as recreation. And had included, Social Street dancers, Night Club dancers, Swing, Tango, and many other specialties. However, with the emergence of dancesport in modern times, the term has become narrower in scope.

 "Al Di La" by Connie Francis

Ballroom dancing now usually refers to the International Standard and International Latin style dances. The Internationals honestly and truly believe that they should have the sole right to the terminology because they have developed the "correct" way to dance 'Ballroom."

And it stands to reason, for they must be judged. These styles were developed in England, and are now regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC). An interesting aside is that in the United States, two additional variations of recreational dancing are popular: American Smooth and American Rhythm.

But the Internationals have not considered it Ballroom Dancing. There are also a number of historical dances, and local or national dances, which may be danced in ballrooms or salons, but no one calls them ballroom dancing.

It's our first Mini - Blog.  -*-  What is a Mini - Blog?

In the last twenty years in Hawaii, the night club circuit has developed a distinct dislike for Ballroom Dancing. One reason is that our social dancers have never developed a taste for hard drinking. And many night clubbers have never attempted to seek the difference in "Ballroom Dancing" and the recreational social dance that is danced by most dancers in Hawaii.

Some attempt has been made to include their dancing as the American Style but they still regard those that are dancing the American Style as Ballroom Dancers. So we are in the process of settling into our own spaces, and will in time, have a some respect for the others. ****

From the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam about 1000 years ago.

“The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on. Nor all your piety or wit,

shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all your tears wash out a word of it.”