Hot Ballroom Dancing Posts

How To: Tango (for beginners)

As one of the sexiest, most passionate things you can do while still standing upright, the tango takes romance. It takes drama. And it definitely takes two. You will need a dance partner, patience and melodrama! Did you know? Buenos Aires is credited as the birthplace of tango, and is still a global destination for learning and performing the dance. This is a helpful videos for beginners looking to learn the basics of the tango.

How To: Dance the Tango Beat in Front embellishments

This is a common embellishment for back ochos and takes a little practice to work up the speed to do it but once you do you'll find lots of places to fit it in. During back ochos, beat your free foot in front as it passes the other on the "&" count (halfway through the beat), before stepping behind into the next step. (You should feel the achilles tendon at the back of the free leg hit the lower part of the shin of the standing leg, just above the ankle.) Try not to let your legs turn-out as ...

How To: Dance the Tango Double Taps embellishments

This video illustrates tapping more than once during the beat. Possible combination are tapping on '2' + '3', on '3' + '4' or '2' + '4' with the step coming on the '1' always - the downbeat. (Using the system of count '1-2-3-4' for each beat, '1' being the downbeat, '3' being the upbeat or exact middle, and '2' and '4' being the places inbetween or the quarter beats).

How To: Dance the Tango Tap on '3' embellishments

This video illustrates tapping on the '3' or the upbeat (halfway through the beat). Count '1-2-3-4' for each beat. ('1' being the downbeat, '3' being the upbeat or exact middle, and '2' and '4' being the places inbetween or the quarter beats). It is not a synchopated embellishment, as it happens on an even division of the beat.

How to Dance the Ragtime Dance: Castle Walk

An American Ballroom Companion presents this social dance demonstration from the Library of Congress. Watch this demonstration traditional dance video on the Ragtime Dance: Castle Walk. Not for beginners - this is not an instructional, step by step video. It is an authentic, professional demonstration of the Ragtime Dance: Castle Walk.

How To: Dance the Standard Waltz

This video gives a demonstration of the standard waltz dance. This popular dance style was once used all over the world. Although there are different types of the waltz, this version was most commonly used. Be patient because the video may take a few seconds to download from the Library of Congress.

How to Do the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe (1st Step)

An American Ballroom Companion presents this social dance demonstration from the Library of Congress. Watch this demonstration traditional dance video on the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe (1st Step). Not for beginners - this is not an instructional, step by step video. It is an authentic, professional demonstration of the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe (1st Step). The Maxixe is an Africanized polka or two-step dance, an Afro-Brazilian styling of the polka which was brought to Brazil by European immigr...

How to Do the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe

An American Ballroom Companion presents this social dance demonstration from the Library of Congress. Watch this demonstration traditional dance video on the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe. Not for beginners - this is not an instructional, step by step video. It is an authentic, professional demonstration of the Ragtime Dance: The Maxixe. The Maxixe is an Africanized polka or two-step dance, an Afro-Brazilian styling of the polka which was brought to Brazil by European immigrants.

How to Do the Ragtime Dance: Argentine Tango

An American Ballroom Companion presents this social dance demonstration from the Library of Congress. Watch this demonstration traditional dance video on the Ragtime Dance: Argentine Tango. Not for beginners - this is not an instructional, step by step video. It is an authentic, professional demonstration of the Ragtime Dance: Argentine Tango. Argentine Tango is a dance which originated in Argentina and then move to Uruguay. In the US it is known as Ballroom Tango.

How To: Do the Ragtime Argentine Tango (1st figure-feet only)

An American Ballroom Companion presents this social dance demonstration from the Library of Congress. Watch this demonstration traditional dance video on the Ragtime Dance: Argentine Tango (1st figure-feet only). Not for beginners - this is not an instructional, step by step video. It is an authentic, professional demonstration of the Ragtime Dance: Argentine Tango (1st figure-feet only). Argentine Tango is a dance which originated in Argentina and then move to Uruguay. In the US it is known ...

How To: Master simple ballroom dancing and the waltz box step

The pumpkin just turned into a carriage, your glass slippers look fantastic, and the Prince is on his way, but — dammit — you still need to learn how to ballroom dance. You will need a partner, a dance floor, masking tape, and waltz music. This video gives simple advice for dance posture, the basic waltz box step, and simple turns. Learn how to dance the basics of ballroom dancing, like the waltz box step, by watching this video dance instruction tutorial.

How To: Do beginning Ballroom dancing

In this video clip series, our expert will discuss some popular types of Ballroom dances, including foxtrot and the Rumba. Learn secrets of Ballroom dancing, tips and instructions on steps and holds, demonstrations of each of the dances for men and for women and much more.

How To: Dance the Foxtrot

In this video series learn to dance the Foxtrot from professional dancer and dance instructor Leslie Sack as she demonstrates Foxtrot dance steps such as the Foxtrot walk, basic step for men and ladies, left rock turn, Foxtrot promenade, right rock turn, Foxtrot patterns.

How To: Dance the German "Blind Man's Bluff"

This video demonstration shows an odd, comedic dance/skit from the 19th Century. In order to perform the "Blind Man's Bluff", a man sits in a chair blind folded while two woman sit in different chairs in front of the blind folded man. The blind folded man must then pick one of the two women sitting in front of him to dance with. However, while the blind folded man is contemplating on which of the women to pick, a different man is placed in one of the woman's seats. Therefore, the blind folded...

How To: Teach beginners to ballroom dance

In this video clip series, our expert will discuss some popular types of ballroom dances, including foxtrot, cha-cha, swing dancing, waltz, tango and more. Learn secrets of ballroom dancing, tips and instructions on steps and holds, demonstrations of each of the dances for men and for women and much more.

How To: Do the Waltz

In this online video series learn how to Waltz from professional ballroom coach Kelly-Anne as she demonstrates Waltz dance steps including: male dance steps, lady dance steps, basic box dance steps for the Waltz, rotating box dance steps, timing for the Waltz, lady turn under the arm, progressive forward and back, the twinkle: lady's and gentleman's dance steps.

How To: Do the Foxtrot

In this video series learn to dance the Foxtrot from professional dancers Teddy Kern, Lou Brockman & Heather Gehring, instructors at Dance Manhattan in New York City, as they demonstrate Foxtrot dance steps such as the Promenade, basic steps for men and ladies, twirls, rock steps and turns, and basic Foxtrot patterns.

How To: Waltz

In this expert video series, Sarolta Eke and Tamas Kassai show you how to dance the popular Waltz. With their instruction, you will learn basic waltzing steps and proper holding techniques. Also, learn more advanced moves like the whisk, progressive walk, and cross hesitation. The underarm waltzing turn is one of the most beautiful waltzing dance steps offered in this series. So, waltz right into our free dance lessons today!

How To: Foxtrot

In this series of video dancing lessons you'll learn how to dance the Foxtrot from professional dancers and dance instructors Sarolta Eke & Tamas Kassay as they demonstrate Foxtrot dance steps such as the Foxtrot walk, basic zig zag step for men and ladies, the rock turn, Foxtrot promenade, backwards lock moves and Foxtrot patterns.

How To: Dance Waltz Variations

This is a video demonstration of the late 19th Century waltz. This waltz is a ballroom and folk dance. The waltz first became fashionable in Vienna around the 1780s, and spread to many other countries in the years that follow. The waltz, and its closed position, became the example for the creation of many other ballroom dances. Subsequently, new types of waltz have developed, including many folk and several ballroom dances. This video is only a demonstration, and unfortunately it does not giv...

How To: Dance the Butterfly

This video is of the late 19th Century dance called the Butterfly. The Butterfly is where a woman/man has fake butterfly wings attached to their arms and dances with them on. This video is only a demonstration, and unfortunately it does not give step by step instructions.