Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is any of various social dances (such as the fox trot, tango, or waltz) in which couples follow a conventional pattern of steps. The five ballroom dances are the Modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep. These are danced the world over both socially and in DanceSport competitions.

The term "ballroom dancing" is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare, meaning "to dance". In the past times, ballroom dancing was for the privileged, leaving the lower class to "folk dancing." The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era. Balls have featured Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Pas de Gras, Mazurka, and other popular dances of the day, which are considered to be historical dances. Today, the term applies to any one of the several dances in which two individuals, a "leader" and a "follower," dance with physical contact through their upper or lower bodies, or simply their arms depending on the particular variety of dance. Since most social dancing is not choreographed, this contact is necessary for the leader to communicate the next dance move to the follower, and for the follower to respond to this insinuation.

Lately, ballroom dancing is making an extraordinary comeback. Social dance classes are taught on most college campuses and draw a lot of students each semester. Ballroom dancing continues to be a main social event for seniors and is growing as a fashionable pastime for middle-aged and younger men and women as well.