Fred Astaire Dance Studios

West Coast Swing (or Western Swing) quickly gained popularity across the U.S. because of its sophisticated style and easy adaptation to contemporary rock music. A regional style popular on the West Coast of the U.S., the dance made a bid for national recognition in the late 50s and continues to grow in popularity in the 21st century. West Coast Swing incorporates many forms of swing including the Lindy, Shag, Whip and Push. Versatile dancers, eager to display their talent, are continually innovating new and interesting movement in swing. After nearly five decades, Western Swing has endured the test of time, and as with the Eastern Swing, it is possible to dance in a relatively small area. The West Coast Swing is danced in place in a slot. Its slower tempo allows for freer rhythmic interpretations using single, double, triple and various other syncopated rhythms. A relaxed, sometimes shuffling movement and upright position are characteristic. Occasional use of hip movements and or push style is also used to enhance the style of the dance.

During the 16th century, it was simply danced as a round dance called the Volte. In most dance history books, it is often stated that the Volte made its first outside appearance in Italy, and then later on to France and Germany.

The Waltz dates back to the country folk dances of Bavaria, some 400 years ago, but was not introduced into “society” until 1812, when it made its appearance in English ballrooms.

The Viennese Waltz, as its known today, was first danced by European royalty during the era of the Austrian composers, Johann Strauss I and Johann Strauss II (1800s). Its hallmark charisma and social grace is typical of that period of history. The Viennese Waltz became the only dance of that era which is still performed by the American public. Waltz music expresses eloquently, the carefree gaiety of those bygone days that are so closely linked to Vienna, The Blue Danube and Strauss. The most startling innovation of the dance was the close proximity of the partners; so daring, it only became socially acceptable in Great Britain after it was danced publicly by Queen Victoria. It is a dance that requires a great deal of control and stamina, due mainly to the tempo of the music. The Viennese Waltz is a progressive and turning dance and features some figures that are danced in place. Rise and fall is used in the dance but differently than in other smooth dances. In Waltz and Foxtrot, a dancer will often rise above their normal standing height but in the Viennese Waltz that’s not done. Rise is created through the knees and body.

The Tango made its first appearance during the greatest period of the dance evolution in American history (1910-1914). It was instantly a hit with the dance-conscious public for its intriguing, asymmetrical, and sophisticated patterns which added a touch of romance to the country’s dance consciousness.

When the Brazilian Samba was first introduced to the U.S. Dance Masters in 1929, it became an overnight sensation. Like many other Brazilian dances, the music is an amalgamation of African and Latin American rhythm that is adorned with expressive, melodic lines. In form, the Samba is a serenade; the repetition of its melody is continually interrupted by the strumming of a guitar or other stringed instruments. Originating in Bahia, Brazil, the dance first became popular in Rio de Janeiro, and later, its intoxicating rhythm was taken up by serious Latin American composers. The Samba is festive and lighthearted, and performed today in all parts of the world. It brings to mind pictures of Rio’s festive and exotic Carnival! In its native land, the Samba is usually danced to a moderately slow tempo which contrasts vividly with the spirited version favored in U.S. The Samba has withstood the test of time and still ranks high among social as well as competitive dancers.

Oozing with a sensuous style, Salsa has it all – passion, energy, and joy. As a dance form, Salsa has its origins in the Cuban Son and the Afro-Cuban dance, Rumba. As it relates to the popular music style, Salsa is continuously evolving, and new modern dance styles are associated and named according to the geographical areas that they are developed in. Some of the popular Salsa styles are Cuban, Columbian, Los Angeles, New York (or Eddie Torres Style), Palladium, Puerto Rican, Rueda, and On Clave.

Rumba (or “ballroom-rumba”), is one of the ballroom dances which occurs in social dance and in international competitions. It is the slowest of the five competitive International Latin dances. This ballroom Rumba was derived from a Cuban rhythm and dance called the Bolero-Son.

The Quickstep, with its roots in Ragtime, was developed in the 1920’s in New York from a combination of Foxtrot, Charleston, Peabody and the One-Step. Originally it was danced solo – away from the partner, but later became a partner dance. It was originally given the name “Quick Time Fox Trot” but eventually that name was changed to Quickstep. The dance traveled to England and was developed into the dance that we know today, and was standardized in 1927.

The Paso Doble (or pasodoble), in its classical form dates back many centuries and was originally intended for use at bullfights when the matador was victorious in the arena. The music adapted itself so beautifully to the dance that the villagers danced to the exciting, lively music for hours on end.

Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim Merengue as their own. According to Haitian lore, an earlier ruler of their country had a lame son who liked to dance. In order that this beloved prince would not feel self-conscious about his affliction, the entire populace took to dancing as though they all were lame. The Dominican’s version is that the dance originated at a fiesta that was given to honor a returning war hero. When the brave warrior rose to dance, he limped on his wounded left leg. Rather than make him feel self-conscious, all the men present favored their left legs as they danced. In both countries for many generations, the Merengue was taught and danced with these back stories in mind. When couples got up to dance the Merengue, the man favored his left leg and the lady favored her right leg; while flexing their knees a bit more than usual and at the same time leaning the body slightly to the same side. Haitians and Dominicans alike refer to the Merengue as their “singing dance;” this is understandable when you consider the exhilarating brightness of the staccato rhythm. The Merengue is danced in place to Latin music.

No other dance from south of the (U.S.) border has ever attained the instantaneous popularity than the zestful Mambo did when it was first introduced from Latin America. The extent of the Mambo’s reach can be observed by the widespread use of its rhythm by Tin Pan Alley. Love ballads were written to a slow Mambo beat, novelty songs to a fast Mambo beat, and rock ‘n’ roll numbers were being tailored to the tempo. Across the nation, dancers who had never progressed beyond the Foxtrot and Waltz were clamoring for Mambo instruction. The popularity of the Mambo was almost entirely the work of Cuban bandleader Perez Prado. During the early 1930s, Latin style dance bands were coming increasingly popular with American audiences and filling the airwaves with Rumbas, Sambas and Tangos. Then, in the early ’50s, Prado recorded the song, “Mambo Jambo,” and the fun was on. The Mambo can be danced according to the individual dancer’s temperament. Conservative dancers can stay in a closed position, while the more daring can perform steps that break apart and completely separate themselves from each other. Spins and turns are quite popular with Mambo dancers. Ready to take your first step towards a new and exciting lifestyle? Contact us, at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Inside our doors, you’ll discover a warm and friendly atmosphere that will inspire you to reach new heights, and have lots of fun doing it!

The modern form of ballroom jive is a very happy and boppy dance, with many flicks & kicks. The Jive music is written in 4/4 time and should be played at a tempo of about 38 – 44 bars per minute. A spot dance not moving along the Line of Dance. Relaxed, springy action is the basic characteristic of the International Style Jive with lots of flicks and kicks in the advanced style.

Hustle is a fast, smooth dance with the lady spinning almost constantly, while her partner draws her close and sends her away. Free rhythmic interpretation is characteristic of this dance.

The Foxtrot dance step, believed to be first used by vaudeville dancer and comedian Harry Fox, originated around 1912 during the ragtime music era. This marked a new phase of ballroom dancing where partners danced closer together and ad-libbed to exhilarating music, absorbing better attributes of older dances for a smoother, more rhythmic style. The International style of dancing, implemented into the American style Foxtrot by 1960, features smoother dancing and individualized expression. Most figures are designed for larger ballroom floors but can be adapted for average dance floors when danced more compactly.

Eastern Swing or East Coast Swing (or just Swing), evolved from the Lindy Hop and is perhaps the most famous American folk dance. The best known forms of Swing include the Charleston, Black Bottom, and Shag. In the early 1940s, these forms consolidated into what was called the Lindy.

Cha Cha is a dance of Cuban origin, and derives its name from the rhythm developed by a syncopation of the fourth beat. Cha Cha gathers its flavor, rhythm and charm from a derivation of three primary sources: the Mambo, Rumba, and indirectly, the Lindy (with each being danced to the same one-two-three triple step). The Cha Cha, while sprung up from Latin American roots in Cuba, really flowered under North American influence.

The Bolero was introduced to a U.S. audience in the mid-1930s; and at that time, it was danced in its classical form, which was performed to a constant beat of drums. It emerged from this classical form to what was called Son, with a faster and livelier tempo (later renamed as the Rumba). Spanish dancer Sebastian Cereza is credited with creating the dance in the year 1780; since then, the Bolero has remained a true source of expressing sensuous feelings. It is truly the “dance of love.” The Bolero is one of the most expressive dances: the use of arms and hands, legs and feet, as well as facial expression, all contribute to its beauty.

Tango is a dance and music that originated in Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, developed in the melting pot of cultures that was Buenos Aires. The word Tango was used at the time to describe various music and dance. The exact origins of Tango—both the dance and the word itself—are lost in myth and an unrecorded history. The generally accepted theory is that in the mid-1800s, African slaves were brought to Argentina and began to influence the local culture. The word “Tango” may be straightforwardly African in origin, meaning “closed place” or “reserved ground.” Or it may derive from Portuguese (and from the Latin verb tanguere, to touch) and was picked up by Africans on the slave ships. Whatever its origin, the word “Tango” acquired the standard meaning of the place where African slaves and others gathered to dance. Most likely the Tango was born in African-Argentine dance venues attended by compadritos, young men, mostly native born and poor, who liked to dress in slouch hats, loosely tied neckerchiefs and high-heeled boots with knives tucked casually into their belts. The compadritos took the Tango back to the Corrales Viejos—the slaughterhouse district of Buenos Aires—and introduced it in various low-life establishments where dancing took place: bars, dance halls and brothels. It was here that the African rhythms met the Argentine milonga music (a fast-paced polka) and soon new steps were invented and took hold. Eventually, everyone found out about the Tango and, by the beginning of the twentieth century, the Tango as both a dance and as an embryonic form of popular music had established a firm foothold in the fast-expanding city of its birth. It soon spread to provincial towns of Argentina and across the River Plate to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, where it became as much a part of the urban culture as in Buenos Aires. The worldwide spread of the Tango came in the early 1900s when wealthy sons of Argentine society families made their way to Paris and introduced the Tango into a society eager for innovation and not entirely averse to the risqué nature of the dance or dancing with young, wealthy Latin men. By 1913, the Tango had become an international phenomenon in Paris, London and New York. The Argentine elite who had shunned the Tango were now forced into accepting it with national pride. The Tango spread worldwide throughout the 1920s and 1930s and came to be a fundamental expression of Argentine culture, and the Golden Age lasted through the 1940s and 1950s. The current revival dates from the early 1980s, when a stage show Tango Argentino toured the world creating a dazzling version of the Tango that is said to have stimulated the revival in the US, Europe and Japan. 2008 is again a period of renewal, of tension between the international and the Argentine, between a desire to recreate the Golden Age, and another to evolve it in the light of modern culture and values. There is an explosion of interest around the world with places to dance in many cities and towns, and a growing circuit of international festivals.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or a way to connect with your partner, want to improve your social life, or want to take your dancing skills to the next level, Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Belmont, MA will have you dancing confidently – and having FUN from your very first lesson! Contact us or visit us today! We’re 3/4 mile from Cafe Vannak, on Common Street.

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we are experts at all styles of ballroom dance – and can incorporate any one (or more!) of them into your Wedding Dance choreography. From a classic Waltz or Foxtrot or sultry Tango, to a fun & lively Country Western Two-Step and more, our certified Dance Instructors can help!

Looking for something really memorable? Let us choreograph a “YouTube-worthy” wedding dance for the whole wedding party, that’s set to your favorite music! Extend those special wedding day moments with an awesome dance routine you’ll want to re-live, again and again.

A memorable Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance is a wonderful complement to your First Dance. Including your parents (or the special friends or family members who will be standing in that traditional role) in your wedding dance is a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation.

Your Wedding First Dance is an everlasting expression of love and commitment – for you and your new spouse, as well as for the special guests celebrating with you. From a few simple steps to a fully choreographed routine, we can help make your First Dance as unique as the rest of your wedding.

Customize our Wedding Dance Instruction Programs just for you, to give you the confidence and skills to show off your style – and maybe even a little personality – on your wedding day. We’ll help you create a special “First Dance” that’s totally “YOU” – be that elegant, contemporary or just plain fun. Amaze your family and friends with your new-found dance skills, and enjoy magical wedding memories that will be yours forever.

Our instructors will be able to help you achieve your goals. Whether you want to become a competitive dancer or just dance to have fun, our instructors will guide you in the right direction.

Our instructors will be able to help you achieve your goals. Whether you want to become a competitive dancer or just dance to have fun, our instructors will guide you in the right direction.

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, all new dance Students can take advantage of our special money-saving Introductory Offer! Simply complete and submit the Intro Offer form on this website to get yours, and we’ll contact you right away to learn about your dance goals and help you set up your first Lesson. Once you discover how much fun ballroom dancing can be, we know you’ll be back for more!

Looking to create a lasting memory from your wedding? Fred Astaire offers classes for your wedding dances that will make you look awesome. Talk with us to get started today and we will work with you!

Looking to create a lasting memory from your wedding? Fred Astaire offers classes for your wedding dances that will make you look awesome. Talk with us to get started today and we will work with you!

Take your dancing to the next level with our instructors at The Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Belmont. Our instructors will be able to help you achieve your goals. Whether you want to become a competitive dancer or just dance to have fun, our instructors will guide you in the right direction.

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we are experts at all styles of ballroom dance – and can incorporate any one (or more!) of them into your Wedding Dance choreography. From a classic Waltz or Foxtrot or sultry Tango, to a fun & lively Country Western Two-Step and more, our certified Dance Instructors can help!

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, our Wedding Dance programs are tailored to you – your style & personality, and your priorities for the music and choice of dance. Our friendly, certified Dance Instructors can teach everything from a few simple dance steps to a fully-choreographed routine for your entire wedding party – it’s up to you!

From ceremony to reception, your wedding day is a celebration of your love for each other. Everything you’re planning – the venue, flowers, attire, food, music, and more will be a reflection of your style and personality, and your First Dance should be, too!

Wedding dance lessons can also help you both have fun and relax before the Big Day. With all the decisions, schedules and deadlines involved in wedding planning, enjoying this time together that’s just for you can help you de-stress and re-energize – and we know you’ll have lots of fun doing it!

Learn Romantic wedding dances, develop a new hobby, engage in a fun and engaging way to exercise, and connect or re-connect with your partner to improve your social life and bring your dancing skills to the next level. Our certified Instructors and unique teaching method help you learn and retain more, faster.

Learn how to dance by yourself and be paired with a professional instructor for your lessons. Our certified Instructors and unique teaching method help you learn and retain more, faster – regardless of your age, dancing skills or physical abilities.

Learn how to ballroom dance is always fun! Step inside, and discover a warm, welcoming and 100% non-judgmental community that will inspire you to reach new heights, feel and look confident, and have fun doing it.

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Belmont, we customize our Wedding Dance Instruction Programs just for you, to give you the confidence and skills to show off your style – and maybe even a little personality – on your wedding day.

Your Wedding First Dance is an everlasting expression of love and commitment – for you and your new spouse, as well as for the special guests celebrating with you. From a few simple steps to a fully choreographed routine, we can help make your First Dance as unique as the rest of your wedding.