Ballroom

Ballroom encompasses many styles of dance.  They are danced both socially and competitively here in Portland, Oregon, as well as across the world.
At a Ballroom dance, a wide variety of music will be played, which makes for exciting mood changes, from Waltz, to Cha Cha, to Tango, etc.

Ballroom Class schedule: http://www.portlandballroomdancing.com/images/stories/flyers/February-2012.pdf

Waltz - Once considered a scandalous dance, waltz has evolved into one of the most easily recognizable ballroom dances. Do you know the box step? Then you are already off to a good start.  Common songs include the Mancini classic "Moon River", and "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones. 

Cha Cha - Frequently danced to Latin rock or Latin pop music, Cha Cha is characterized by sharp leg actions and body movements. Popular Cha Cha songs include “Let’s Get Loud” by J-Lo and “Smooth" by Santana.  The beat is called out "2, 3, cha cha cha!" 

Foxtrot -  This is the dance made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers.  While it is one of the more challenging dance to learn at first, the work pays off when you get to dance to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Dean Martin.

Rumba - The slowest of the Latin dances, the romantic Rumba can be danced to songs such as “Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps” by Doris Day and “Fields of Gold” by Sting.

Tango -  Tango, with its multitude of styles, is perhaps one of the most interesting ballroom dances. Originating in Spain, it eventually made its way to the United States by way of the Argentine cowboys, called gauchos. Tango’s curving steps derive from the gauchos’ dancing around and through tables on their small dance floors.

Samba -  Hailing from the Brazilian streets, this party dance is a whole lot of fun.  Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailamos” and Jaci Velasquez's “Con Tu Amor” are two examples of popular Sambas. 

Quickstep - Quickstep is the newest of the international standard dances, emerging in the 1920s from a combination of Foxtrot, Charleston, Shag, Peabody, and One Step. Standardized in 1927, this dance is characterized by syncopated beats and includes hops, skips, runs, kicks, and locks.  (But don't worry.  At a beginning level, we don't do anything too crazy.)

Also taught at our studio: Salsa, Merengue, Nightclub Two Step, Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Viennese Waltz, Paso Doble, Jive.  Find more info on the various dances styles here: http://www.portlandballroomdancing.com/about-ballroom/types-of-ballroom-dancing.html

Swing Dance
From the 1940's East Coast Swing, to West Coast swing which is danced to a variety of current music, swing dance encompasses a wide range of dance styles. 

Swing songs are played at Ballroom dances as one of the many styles, but also typically have their own separate dance parties, where you can dance to only swing music all night.

East Coast Swing -  If you've seen swing dancing in the movies, likely East Coast is what they were dancing.  Think "Swing Kids" and "A League of Their Own".

West Coast Swing -With it's roots in Lindy Hop, West Coast developed - you guessed it-on the West Coast during the 1950's, to be danced to a variety of music, including jump blues and rock and roll.  It is often danced to comtemporary music, and is a smoother, more subdued alternative to the high energy Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing.

You do not need a partner to come to these classes.  We rotate in class, so there are lots of people to dance with!