The American Style of dance refers to the Ballroom Dances developed in the USA that contrast with the International Style. They denote the group of nine dances that were danced in American Style Ballroom competitions. The group consists of two categories: American Smooth and American Rhythm. American Rhythm loosely corresponds to the Latin category of the International Style, just like American Smooth corresponds to Standard. The American established dance variations are not recognized internationally. They are rather used in dance and competition methods as attempts to meets perceived needs in the local market-place which immense in the US.
In American Smooth, - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, - dancers wear costumes not greatly dissimilar to those worn by their counterparts in International Style Standard. Dresses often have prominent floats embellishing the arms and fuller skirts which are typically absent in Smooth, due to the open movement and changing arm positions requiring less restriction on the body. However, the dances themselves are significantly different as a result of influence by dancers like Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray in the years following World War II.
While elegance and flow remain the goal, as in International Standard, dancers in American do not remain in closed position exclusively, instead breaking away from each other periodically and experimenting with open footwork. The American Rhythm dances, - Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Samba, East Coast Swing - and were also influenced by American dancers of the post-WWII era, but the differences between this style and International Latin are more subtle. Costumes are similar, and while step patterns are not identical, movements are as free and explicitly sensual as in Latin. Fortunately on Oahu we have had some of the best teachers of the American Style in the Pacific.
"Social dancers realize that regardless of where they live in the world,
they will participate in dances that reflect a lot or a little of the culture."
In American Smooth, - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, - dancers wear costumes not greatly dissimilar to those worn by their counterparts in International Style Standard. Dresses often have prominent floats embellishing the arms and fuller skirts which are typically absent in Smooth, due to the open movement and changing arm positions requiring less restriction on the body. However, the dances themselves are significantly different as a result of influence by dancers like Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray in the years following World War II.
"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges
While elegance and flow remain the goal, as in International Standard, dancers in American do not remain in closed position exclusively, instead breaking away from each other periodically and experimenting with open footwork. The American Rhythm dances, - Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Samba, East Coast Swing - and were also influenced by American dancers of the post-WWII era, but the differences between this style and International Latin are more subtle. Costumes are similar, and while step patterns are not identical, movements are as free and explicitly sensual as in Latin. Fortunately on Oahu we have had some of the best teachers of the American Style in the Pacific.
"Social dancers know that your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude."
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