ballroom dance

Ballroom dancing began as a way for young people to meet one another, while still chaperoned. During Medieval Times and into the Renaissance, many folk dances and court dances involved lines, processions, and circles. It was not until the 19^th century, or Victorian Era, when the waltz formed, that ballroom dancing became more standard practice. And the length of time the partners were near each other was shocking and groundbreaking. One feature of early waltz was that the couples moved independently, which would be bode the different dances of modern ballroom dances. Another important feature of ballroom dancing is the ballroom, a flat, smooth floor, which enabled the shoes to be lighter than before.

During the 20^th Century modern ballroom dances were in full swing, with many different musical styles introduced. Spanish and Argentine courtship dances blended together to form the Tango. While styles of dances and music were being incorporated into ballroom dances, people began to create dances from all the different styles of dances and music that were from around the world and in America. By the end of the 20^th century and into the 21^st century, ballroom dancing became a competitive sport, such as seen on TV, "Dancing with the Stars." This competitive spirit reinvigorated the ballroom dance.

This list of ballroom dances is a few ballroom dances, for, in one dance, there may be a combination of two or three different dances: Argentine Tango, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Hustle, Mambo, Merengue, Peabody, Polka, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Swing, Tango, Waltz, and Western.

Before "Dancing with the Stars," iconic stars, such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made ballroom dance an instant sensation. Modern ballroom dance schools have been around since the 19^th century, but as trends come and go, schools and classes sprout up when the trend returns. Renowned pioneers, such as Vernon and Irene Castle, Josephine Bradley, and Victor Sylvester, studied the art of ballroom dance. Two main organizations, the Arthur Murray Organization in the US and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in England made the moves and steps not only an art or tradition, but a preserved knowledge.