Miles Hamby
6505 Hillside Lane
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 768-1353
atcmiles@aol.com

Strictly Social!

Don't be afraid!

Social dance has long been a part of every culture. As people got together to dance, their enjoyment evolved in different directions, hence, the range from the very well developed nature of performance dancing to the impromptu nature of social dancing. One of the earliest forms of ballroom dancing was the court dances of the Renaissance. Very much a social event, gentlemen and ladies, desirous to make a good impression for political, business, or romantic reasons, dressed elaborately and practiced their steps. This genre of ballroom dancing lasted through the centuries into the 19th century. During this period, competition to outdo others led to elaborate balls and to hiring dance masters to instruct the aristocracy in steps ranging from peasant dance forms (country dances) to stately, choreographed minuets.

However, the only thing unchanging is change. As the economic classes became less distinct and political freedom became the vogue, the arts and dance followed. The joy of the freer forms of social dancing amongst the peasant classes pervaded its way into the upperclasses. The formal structure of the social ball gave way to having a ripping good time! Partner dances, such as the waltz in the early 19th century and the animal trots of the early 20th century, were not only accepted in society, but became the vogue.

Modern social dance.
One of the greatest influences on dance in the 20th century has been Hollywood. Well documented in the movie That's Entertainment , the vast majority of the films of the 20s, 30s, and 40s revolved around singing and dancing! Such greats as Rudolph Valentino, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Ray Bolger, Cid Charise, and Juliet Prouse gave such spontaneity and energy to their well-rehearsed steps as to inspire an upsurgence in social ballroom dancing. My favorites (you thought I had forgotten!) are the legendary Fred and Ginger. The great ballerino Mikhail Bareshnikov described Fred Astaire best -- "He is genius. Pure genius!" For me, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are the paragons of social ballroom dancing. Their hand and facial expressions, there romantic gazes into each others eyes while quick-stepping across a polished floor, their changes of tempo -- the epitome of social ballroom dancing.

Contemporary Social Ballroom.
Big bands are once again making their mark on social dance. Most of the bands' repertoires include Fred & Ginger style foxtrots such as Dancing Cheek to Cheek and Let's Face the Music and Dance. It is indeed unfortunate that the term Foxtrot has gotten a such bad rap, and, that for some reason, the only dance form it seems people do to the big bands today is the Swing. Historically and musically, the most popular form of dancing during the 40s was not Swing, but Foxtrot. Indeed, only about 20 percent of those active dancers knew how to swing or were sufficiently avant-garde to try it! My parents, veterans of the depression and World War II and dance enthusiasts in their youth, never danced swing, even though their first date in 1942 was to go to a big band dance at Hershey Park. Though Swing has its own charm to enjoy, the Fred & Ginger style Foxtrot conveys the romance and invigorating elegance that Swing cannot. Perhaps Swing's popularity is in it's relative ease to learn. Believe it or not, so is social ballroom. You just have to be a romantic! - fin.

Written by Miles Hamby. Sources -- "Social Dance, Steps to Success' by Judy Wright, Leisure Press, 1992.