BALLROOM DANCE: a sport or an art? Dance is music made visible. ©George Balanchine.
ABOUT MY PROJECT Defining ballroom dance has always been a controversial question. There are those who have done special scientific research to prove that it is a sport and those who see it only as an art or leisure. So my project is about finding answers to the questions: v What are the two points of view on defining ballroom dance? v What are the sportive and artistic aspects of ballroom dance? v How does its history help to answer these questions?
Let us read and let us dance – two amusements that will never do any harm to the world. © Voltaire
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are danced in special shoes on special flooring and has two main features which separate them from others dances: v All ballroom dances are danced in couples, which consist of a man and a woman. v Couples dance in physical contact.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY… The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the Latin word “ballare” which means “to dance” In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower classes. However it should be noted even in times long gone, many ballroom dances were really elevated folk dances. The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era: balls have featured popular dances of the day such as the Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Polka, Mazurka, and others, which are now considered to be historical dances. At that time ballroom dance was just leisure, one of the ways to spend spare time, something which is now considered to be social dancing.
At the end of the 19 th century ballroom dancing became available for people from lower classes, who started to attend public dances or “social assemblies”. Later, in 1920 th ballroom dance competitions started to develop. They were unofficial and not very strict, because there was not specific criteria how to evaluate dancers. That is why in England in 1924 Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) started to create standards in music, steps and technique of dancing. It meant that ballroom dance stopped being only leisure for people, it started to be competitive. Definition of ballroom dance in that time became equal to todays and it is assumed that its homeland is England. The world's first dance competition was held there in Blackpool.
BLACKPOOL The 8 -day Blackpool Dance Festival is the most famous annual ballroom dance competition of international significance, held in May in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England since 1920. It is also the largest ballroom competition: in 2003, 1539 couples from 54 countries took part in the festival.
The body says what words cannot. ©Martha Graham
INTERNATIONAL STYLES OF COMPETITIVE BALLROOM v Standard v Latin American v 10 dances
For competitions from all ballroom dances which existed up until that time ISTD chose the most interesting and emotional dances, which could be transformed into sensual and artistic forms. Both Standart and Latin American styles consist of 5 dances. Dancers can choose between Standard and Latin American styles or dance all of them, which means that they choose 10 dances. Standard and Latin American dances are very different from each other: they have different roots, dress code and even the shoes for these styles are different.
In Standard physical contact between a man and a woman is closer and permanent during the whole duration of dance. There is always a dress code for the Standart: long dresses for the ladies and bow ties and tail coats for the men. In Latin American dances physical contact is more loose and often made only by hands. Sometimes partners are not touching at all, dancing their own part, and sometimes it is made much tighter, especially in Rumba. The dress code is also simpler: the women are often dressed in short-skirted open Latin outfits while the men are outfitted in tight-fitting shirts and pants. The goal is to emphasize the dancers' leg action and body movements.
Slow Waltz (English Waltz)
The roots of this Waltz are not in England as one might think from its name, but in Boston, USA in 1800 s. The name of the forerunner of the competition Waltz was “Boston”. After the 1 st World War Boston came to England but the English changed it a little. During 1910 -1914 many people went to the Bostonclub in the Savoy Hotel, Central London, where they created their own new style of waltz which had slower and more smooth choreography. It was given the name of Slow or English Waltz. Now it is obviously the slowest dance in Standard.
Tango
At the beginning of the 20 th century Tango was danced in small theatres for the high society of Brazil. Until 1907 the Tango was not accepted in London, the dance was thought to be too passionate and, to Europeans’ mind, was not decent to dance. After some stylistic changes Tango was accepted by the English. From the original dance they maintained only sharp-cut choreography with head and shoulder movements that suddenly switched over to stillness. Still, even in its competition from, Tango is believed to be the most passionate dance.
Viennese Waltz
It is the oldest dance out of Standard style. This Waltz was created in 12 -13 century in the South German Alps Area and was called “German” at first. Viennese waltz is different from other Standart dances because of its fast rhythm and absence of sophisticated choreography: it has only nine figures.
Slow Foxtrot
Slow fox is a dance born in 20 th century in the USA and was called so in honor of American musical and vaudeville dancer Harry Fox. The Foxtrot was introduced in Europe just before World War 1, and it was a passionate dance with slow and quick movements. The European dance teachers were not enthusiastic about the "wild" character of the Foxtrot and started to polish it. Since then, Slow Foxtrot has been a very charming and gallant dance.
Quckstep
Quickstep is a quicker version of Foxtrot. This dance was created in the New York’s suburbs during the 1 st World War and was danced by Afro. Americans at first. It is the quickest dance of Standard which has a lot of choreography that was taken from another American dance – Charleston. Quickstep is a joyful and cheerful dance.
Samba
The roots of Samba are in Africa, but most of the development is done in Brazil: one can recognize Samba from the Carnival Parties. In 1925 Samba was imported into Europe. This dance includes active hip movements and bouncing. It creates the atmosphere of the Brazilian carnival.
Cha Cha
Exciting Latin American dance appeared in the 1950 th in Cuba. Cha Cha has developed from the Mambo and this name was created because of a sound imitation of "shoes" from dancing Cuban women. Cha Cha music should be played using staccato and maracas, allowing dancers to create happy, careless and a bit cheeky atmosphere.
Rumba
Rumba is known to be brought to America by the African slaves. After World War II The rumba was further developed into the “Cuban Rumba” This dance is the slowest of Latin American dances. It is aimed at expressing romantic feelings between man and woman.
Paso Doble
Paso Doble is the only Latin Dance that does not come from the Afro-American culture; the roots of Paso Doble are in Spain. It is a dance of Spanish gypsies. It has features of Corrida and Flamenco where the man is playing the role of matador and the women – his cloak. It’s a dance full of passion.
Jive
Jive is a rhythmic and swinging dance which was mostly influenced by Rock & Roll, Boogie and African/American Swing. It was created in New York, USA in the 1940 th. It is the fastest dance in the Latin American style always danced at the end of the program.
The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word. ©Mata Hari
WHAT ARE COMPETITIONS LIKE? Dancers are judged by different criteria, such as: v Posture v Musicality v Frame v Togetherness v Foot and leg action v Led and follow v Floor craft v Presentation (emotions) v Couple’s style (costumes, behavior on the floor etc. )
The music for competitions is kept confidential until the event. The music always follows a strict tempo which is defined for each dance, and it has a duration of no less than 90 seconds, and no more than two minutes. It depends on the number of participants and size of the ball room, how many couples dance on the floor. They are judged by several judges (number of them also depends), who stand on the perimeter. But how to find out, what couple is the best? What things do judges pay attention to? There are different criteria, such as: v Posture. One of the most important aspects. Good posture makes you look elegant and exude confidence. It improves balance and control, and allows your partner to connect well to your body in the smooth dances. There is an old adage: "Persistent practice of postural principles promises perfection. " v Musicality. If a couple is not dancing on time with the music, nothing, even difficult choreography and perfection in other aspects can overcome this. The music is everything. v Frame. The correct and unaffected positioning of the body parts when in closed dancing position. For instance, the line of the man’s arms should be unbroken from elbow to elbow. The silhouette of the couple should always be pleasing.
v Togetherness. Man’s and woman’s body should unite into one, so that leading and following appear effortless, and the dancers are totally in synchronization with each other. v Presentation. A couple should dance outwardly, with enthusiasm, exuding their joy of dancing and confidence in their performance. Showing emotions is important, because it describes the dance. v Foot and leg action. Each dance has its own foot and leg action features. Basically, this aspect shows choreographic professionalism of the couple. v Lead and follow. The man is the main – almost everything depends on him. He should lead his partner with his whole body not just with his arms. The lady should follow effortlessly, man must not assist her, he is in charge. v Floor craft. This is the skill of avoiding bumping into other couples, and the ability to continue dancing without pause when boxed in. It shows the command of the couple over their choreography and the ability of dancers to improvise when it’s necessary. v Couple’s style. Such as how a couple "looks" together, whether they "fit" emotionally, their appearance, costuming and, which is important, their courtesy to other couples. It should be mentioned, that the dancing etiquette exists and regardless of how much dancers want to win, they mustn’t be rude to others.
The trained dancer must not only have grace and elegance, but also the leap of an Olympic hurdler, the balance of a tight-rope walker and panther-like strength and agility. © Camilla Jessel
THE BIRTH OF DANCESPORT Dancesport is the competitive ballroom dancing, in contrast to social or exhibition dancing. The name was invented to help competitive ballroom dancing gain Olympic recognition. On September 5, 1997 the International Dance. Sport Federation (IDSF) was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole representative body for dancesport. The IDSF website shows letters and certificates from the IOC, which recognize dancesport as an eligible sport. That was an achievement of a long campaign and the hard work of IDSF, which for a long time tried so hard to prove that ballroom dancing is a sport. In order to gain this recognition the physical demands of dancesport have been the subject of scientific research.
This research showed that it demands from dancers the qualities which are demanded in real sports: v v Physical strength Flexibility and coordination Endurance Discipline and team spirit
v Physical strength. Difficulties and intensity of elements in ballroom dancing give it the right to be compared with ice skating (actually, many elements came to skating from dancing). v Flexibility and coordination. These qualities are necessary for maneuvering on the dance floor. The same things are peculiar to many sports such as gymnastics and synchronized swimming. v Endurance. Ballroom competitions are held in a few rounds – from qualifying rounds to final. Each round couples must dance 5 dances (per 2 minutes each) in a row. Remember I said that the quickest dance in Latin American style – Jive is danced in the end? Now pretend how hard it will be to dance it after already dancing almost 10 minutes without stop. According to the research, dancers’ muscle tension and breathing frequency after 2 -minute dance were equal to cyclists’ and runners’ after passing middle distance (in the same period of time). Now pretend what it is like for 10 dance couples. v Discipline and team spirit. A couple is a team. The requirement of discipline is very high, because each person must coordinate his position with his partner’s all the time. It’s impossible to reach high results without getting well with each other. Partners must support each other not only physically, but emotionally. On its website, the IDSF gives an upbeat appraisal of the chances of dancesport being included in a future summer Olympic Games. However, dancesport has not been included as an official event at the Olympics since its recognition, and there are many who doubt that it ever will. The 2008 Beijing Olympics did not include ballroom dancing and neither will the 2012 London Olympics.
SO IT’S A SPORT…
The ancient motto of Olympic Games "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ("Faster, Higher, Stronger") was created to express the spirit of competition. But does it describe all modern sports included in Olympic Games? As regards the sports like gymnastic and synchronized swimming, it is fair to say that these sports are Olympic sports, but they cannot be fully described by this motto. More suitable for them are descriptions, like “rather”, “graceful” and “artistic”. So is ballroom dance. Considering the issue from this point, ballroom dance is a sport, and in the near future we can expect it to be included in the list of Olympic sports.
… BUT AN ART ALSO!
But if one looks at it from another angle, new questions appear. What if we compere ballroom dance to the ballet? There also standards in steps and technique; it demands the same skills as sports, but it never crosses anyone’s mind that it should be included in the Olympic Games. It is because ballet is an art and the main point here is to play a role, show emotions, make people understand what you are trying to say without words, just with your body movements. So is ballroom dance. Therefore, we can fairly consider it as an art.
CONCLUSION The two points of view on the question “Ballroom dance: a sport or an art? ” are absolutely equal, so it is a very controversial issue. It is scientifically proven, that it is a sport, but how can one prove that it is an art? And what is art itself? Nobody really knows. The character of Julia Roberts in the movie “Mona Lisa smile” once said: “Art is not art until someone says it is”. And cannot we say that any sport represents some kind of art? Many men, many minds. So conclusion is: Today we consider ballroom dance as “an artistic sport”. Why sport? Because it demands from dancers qualities, which are required in real sports. But in contrast to other sports it has special features which let consider it not only as a sport, but also as an art. Dancers are athletes of God. ©Albert Einstein
The dance is the mother of the arts. Music and poetry exist in time; painting and architecture in space. But the dance lives at once in time and space. © Curt Sachs
