The term 'Social Dancing' refers to all couple dancing performed socially or 'for fun'. Social dancing can be done in either 'American Style' or 'International Style'. Both styles can be danced in a competitive way, as well. It is a misconception when dancers refer to American style as 'Social' and International style as 'Competitive'. In many parts of the world (Europe and Japan for example) dancers dance the International style socially. In other words, American style is danced mainly in the USA. The rest of the world (Canada included) uses the International style for social dancing, competitive dancing and showcases. Social dance types include all the styles used in competitive dancing (excluding Pasodoble in North America) and other styles.

Dance styles

Latin: Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Pasodoble, Samba, Jive
Standard or 'Modern': Tango, Viennese Waltz, English Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.
Latin night club dances: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Regeton
Argentinean style: Argentinean Tango, Milonga, Waltz
Party: Twist, Hustle, Swing, Slow Rock (Blues), Charleston, Polka and more

The Language of Dance

Social dancing can be considered a language. This is the major difference between Social and the Sport or Show forms of dancing. In any competition or show, the dancers perform 'routines'. In social dancing the dancers have a conversation. In simple comparison to a language:

• The letters are the basic steps.
• The words are the variations.
• The sentences are the combinations of the steps and variations.
• The tone and way of speech is the pace, force and character of the dance.

The more profound the 'language', the more complex and creative the dance becomes. This means that in order to dance well, both dancers have to feel free to express themselves with what they know about the dance, and to communicate this to their partner. A creative dancer will use the vocabulary (steps, variations, syncopation, musicality, etc.) in different and interesting ways. The music synchronizes the dance and influences the power, syncopation, speed and feeling of the dance. The logical structure of the music is built into the dance steps (i.e. the strongest beat with the pelvic action in Latin, or step size in Standard).

A Personal Anecdote Regarding the Language of Dance:

Approximately 10 years ago I was in Tokyo, Japan on business. Because of my love of dance, I sought out a ballroom dance club. When I arrived, I discovered that I was the only foreigner there. Only two people spoke English: the doorman, and me. A quick survey of the dance floor revealed that everyone was dancing the International Style in a 'social' manner. The live band and the beautiful dance floor made me 'bite the bullet' and pay the $35.00 entrance fee. I immediately discovered that I could dance with everyone without saying a single word. I could not count out the rhythm, or say 'quick, 'slow', and 'yes' or no'. The only language I spoke with the dance partners was that of dance.

It is a fact that the ten International dances (Standard and Latin) are recognized as International sport These dances are divided into two categories. Each category has 5 dances.

Latin: Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Pasodoble, Samba, Jive
Standard or 'Modern': Tango, Viennese Waltz, English Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.

As in many types of sport, dancing could be classified as recreational/social, competitive, or in a form of a show. Ice skating is a good example; it was recognized as a sport many years ago. The International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) has defined it this way:

"DanceSport is a team sport. It is generally defined as partner dancing between a man and a woman combining as a couple (or groups of couples combining as a team) and using the required technique together with 'floorcraft' and artistic interpretation to produce a highly disciplined dance performance."

In 1986, a study by the University of Freiburg (Germany) compared the heart and breathing rates of DanceSport athletes to those of swimmers and cyclists and found them similar. In 1989, a West Australian university published a similar study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In 2000, research conducted by Marcello Faina, M.D. of the Institute of Sport Science of the Italian National Olympic Committee came to the same conclusions.

Historical facts about Dance Sport:

• 1909 - The first World championship in Paris.
• 1935 - The foundation of the International Amateur Dancers Federation in Prague. This name was changed twice, and today, this association is called "International DanceSport Federation" (IDSF).
• 1947 - The first Latin-American DanceSport world championship.
• 1988 - The term DanceSport was adopted for Competitive Ballroom Dancing.
• 1992 - Full recognition of ballroom dancing as an International sport by the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF).
• 1997 - Full recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• 2000 - IDSF presents a demonstration of DanceSport to the IOC.

There is a clear differentiation between 'Show Dancing' and 'Social Dancing'. In most cases, performances are done by professionals and combine skill, stamina and artistic features. These performances are the most artistic form of couple dancing. The show 'Burn The Floor' (available on DVD) is a good example of artistic ballroom dancing. Dancers perform in many categories of dance.

'Professional' Versus 'Amateur':

A 'Professional' is a person that makes a living from the field he/she is in. A professional in Ballroom dancing could be a dancer, teacher or a studio owner. An amateur dancer is someone who is not dancing for a living. The amateur could be a competitive and/or social dancer. The level of dancing has no connection with these definitions. In Blackpool's dance festival, the most popular events are the finals in both the professional and amateur categories.