International Ballroom, A Maturing Influence
by Bill & Mary Lynn
from a column
in Square-'N-Round
magazine, April 1962
Some of you old timers in Round Dancing
may have stopped to reflect on the trends in different directions our
activity leads. Head-strong and head-long, we move from one facet of
dancing into a new one. The first major change took place in the
introduction of American choreography, followed by American ballroom
influence, including foxtrot and swing. Then along came the
Latin-American bent, and finally we are in the throes of absorbing
the techniques of International (English) Style Ballroom. This move
may be the most maturing influence our particular hobby has had so
far.
International Style Ballroom is a
static form of dance as compared to the American Ballroom picture and
few accomplished American teachers are equipped to present this
material. Since the patterns and movements are more or less
formulated on a scientific basis, by the leaders of the movement, it
leaves little flexibility to the commercial teacher of ballroom.
Novelties are rarely included in the repertoire of the International
Style Dancer. While American Ballroom seems to vacillated from one
facet of popular dance to another, the Continental Dancer has
maintained a serene equilibrium for many years. Their pleasure and
abilities have had the opportunity to develop in an uncluttered, well
oriented manner leading to a dance movement that is in many ways more
acceptable and appreciated than the ballroom dance in our own
country.
Why this discussion of International
Style Ballroom when we are concerned with Round Dancing? Basically
because this material, absorbed gradually, will contribute many
mechanics of locomotion now left to imagination in our Round Dance
program, and act as a stabilizing force in our hobby.
Reprinted in DRDC newsletter, July 2010
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