Waltz Rerun #68

By Jeremy Tsu, Aiea

The defense of American waltz is not just as a money maker. By making you close your feet you learn to lower on beat 3. Later you can learn the much harder skill of lowering in open footwork. And to beat it all, American, Country and Latin Styles are much more social fun and do not require an acre of ground to enjoy.

"Every lie is two lies — the lie we tell others and
the lie we tell ourselves to justify it."

In truth Waltz had already evolved into something much different by lower class people in Europe, from the original Viennese Waltz by the end of the 19th century. And Country in the US was beginning to develop its own at about that time too. It is quite useful on dance floors where it's too crowded to travel. Later it was danced by older couples to big band music. It has further evolved into the perfect social type dance for homes, small community centers, and night clubs.

Country and American silver Waltz are very compatible in terms of floorcraft. American bronze dancers clog up the works unless they stick to the center of the floor. International Standard Waltz dancing seems to confuse or annoy the Country dancers, who are not used to maneuvering around couples which zig-zag across LOD. And to further complicate matters, there are even more different waltzes throughout the world.

"The Tennessee Waltz" By Patti Page

Country Waltz in also more of a progressive dance that very rarely moves diagonally across LOD (aside from partners crossing tracks), and includes lots of two-handed and cross-handed side-by-side and semi-open patterns where the lady spins or turns more than the man. The only syncopated steps commonly seen are ladies spins and hesitations.

Silver American style is more of a progressive dance, and it becomes more disciplined. It is mostly moving straight down LOD, and including more outside partner floor work than International style. Nevertheless, Waltz remains among some of the most beautiful music produced by humans in the world today and even more wonderful to move to it in dance.