Ballroom dance has a (perhaps well-deserved) reputation for romance. And while I cannot think of a sweeter gift idea or a better plan for a date night, it would be a shame if all the lovely people who happen to be single feel like they would not be welcome at our events.

Whether you put the "sing in single" or you put the sweet in sweethearts, ballroom dancing can be for you.

This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Friday - the night of our super fun beginner workshops. So, of course, we wanted to do something to make the night extra special for Valentine’s Day. So, how to make the singles feel warmly welcomed and give the couples a great date experience all on one night? The answer is two workshops: Sensational Singles at 7:00pm (the regular workshop time) and Cute Couples at 8:30pm (with enough time to get dinner beforehand).

Each workshop is still only $9/person for an hour and half lesson, complete with mini dance party and a special treat for everyone who comes out.

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Now beloved in many cultures and seen as a classic – and sometimes even stuffy – dance style, Waltz was initially considered scandalous by much of polite society in its early years.

There are records describing some isolated dance styles that hint at the origin of Waltz (a “sliding” or “gliding” step pattern) as early as the late 1500’s. However, Waltz as we recognize it today evolved in earnest during the 18th century, most likely from traditional Bavarian and Austrian dancing that can trace its roots to the Middle Ages. The word waltz comes from the German “waltzen” for “to turn” or “to revolve,” and the dance is characterized by music in 3/4 and gliding steps that become gliding turns. The Waltz now has many variants and is considered the foundation of many other ballroom styles.

The initial scandal of Waltz was due partially to the focus on a single partner rather than the more communal dances common to Europe’s ballrooms. Additionally, the close embrace of the partnership placed the lead’s hands at the follow’s elbows or (even more shocking) a hand around the follow’s waist or shoulders. The other popular dances of the time tended to keep dancers at arms-length from one another and followed a pre-set pattern that required the dancers to face others on the dance floor as often as they faced their partner. The most intimate movements in these patterns required only hand holding. If you want to learn more about those communal dances, check out Sapphire’s friends at the NRV Historic Dance Society.

While the Waltz became fashionable in Vienna, Austria as early as the 1780’s, it took several more decades for the popularity of the dance to spread throughout Europe, to the British Isles, and then to the colonies. Napoleon’s army and the troops opposing them are often credited for spreading the dance with them as they traveled, but they certainly had help from operas and ballets that showcased waltz music as well as the increasing popularity of public dance halls that featured large ballrooms for dancing and other diversions. While the dance gained significant popularity in Britain during the Regency period (1811 – 1820), a British manual of good manners published in 1833 still went so far as to recommend that only married women dance the waltz, characterizing it as immoral for the unwed.

In the mid-1800’s, several Austrian composers – most notably Johann Strauss II – began to make very popular musical compositions that were set much faster than traditional waltz music, sometimes even doubling its speed (180 to 200 beats per minute for fast or Viennese Waltz, as opposed to approximately 90 beats per minute for Slow Waltz). This only increased the popularity of Waltz among the young dancers in society, who loved to show off for one another, and led to the development of the designed-for-speed Viennese Waltz dance style. This style is danced primarily in closed position and is characterized by almost constant turning, either toward the right (natural turns) or toward the left (reverse turns).

Over time, other moves such as hesitations (taking only one step over three counts), underarm turns, and other figures evolved into both Slow and Viennese Waltz social dancing and American Style competition dancing, but International Style competition Standard (slow) and Viennese Waltz are still danced in closed position with a very limited number of steps.

Whether you prefer to aim for the floating Cinderella look of a classical Viennese Waltz or the challenging array of moves available in a Slow Waltz, you should plan to join Sapphire Ballroom for the That’s Amore Dance Party on February 8th at 7:30 p.m. Our evening will start with a beginner-friendly approach to the smooth and classic Viennese Waltz, with plenty of opportunities for experienced dancers to showcase their speedy spinning later in the evening.

Sources/Further Reading:
* Cooper, Paul (2015). Regency Dances.org, The Regency Waltz.
* Del Hierro, Maria Pilar Queralt (2017). National Geographic, The Elegant Waltz was Once Vienna’s Forbidden Dance.
* Golovach, Igor and Blank, Michelle (2014). WikiDanceSport, Viennese Waltz.
* The Jane Austen Centre (2011). The History of the Waltz.
* Pytlik, George (2019). Delta Dance, The colorful history of the Viennese Waltz.

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Ever wonder why instructors often teach the lead and follow parts separately, even when having a partner could provide a frame of reference or extra stability? How about why people who come from a line dance or hip hop background become such fabulous partner dancers? There are several reasons, but often it’s because being able to execute most moves on your own will make you a better dancer and a better partner, especially when you’re talking about spinning.

Being able to control your balance, your rotation speed, where you stop, and when your weight shifts during a turn are core skills for any dancer. Whether you’re working on making a nice big, showy Merengue underarm turn or a quick and sassy Salsa copa turn, executing the right amount of balanced rotation at the right moment can make a move feel and look great.

If there’s a particular spinning move that’s giving you trouble, ask an instructor to break down the movement and steps with you, even if you’ve heard it before. (Most of us need to hear it more than once!) Then practice completing those motions on your own over and over again, without the assistance or interference of a partner. A series of turns can be an excellent warm-up exercise or way to fill those two minutes while you’re waiting on the Keurig to finish brewing your morning caffeine. If you get dizzy easily, but want to practice spins, break up a series by using basics in between the turns or turning first in one direction and then to the other.

So, next time you find yourself with space to roam but no handy partner, don’t hesitate to spin yourself!

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Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon – Classic Foxtrot

This list just wouldn’t be complete without one by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself! But if you’re in the mood for a slightly more fun & funky foxtrot (or a swing!), check out: Linda Ronstadt – Straighten Up and Fly Right (https://youtu.be/eYv4tu54g7U) or Forever Gentlemen – Cheek to Cheek (https://youtu.be/hmnvnxNEPdw).

Perry Como – Papa Loves Mambo – Mambo

So, we’re not old enough to actually remember this, but this song always brings to mind photos from the great old school dances Kayla’s grandparents have told us about attending when they were younger – where a majority of the young people knew how to do more than just “shake it.”

Bing Crosby – Count Your Blessings – Bolero

This anytime-of-the-year song is from our favorite Christmas movie, but is also a wonderful reminder to focus on and appreciate the important things.

Doris Day – Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps – Rumba or Slow Cha Cha

You might remember this one from the movie Strictly Ballroom. If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out the next time you’re in the mood to laugh (thanks to the retro costumes and make-up/hair, not the dancing, which is actually quite good).

Patsy Cline – San Antonio Rose – Country Two-Step

No surprise that we couldn’t put a list together without including at least one classic country crooner, so Kayla could sneak in a Country Two-Step!

Harry Connick Jr. – I Love Paris – Quickstep or Single-Time Swing

A speedy twist and fun new arrangement for a classic tune.

Michael Bublé – Save The Last Dance For Me – Cha Cha

We love social dancing and learning from other partners, but this song captures how nice it can be to have someone that perpetually claims the last slot on your dance card. And the video is really cute, too.

Madeleine Peyroux - We Might As Well Dance – West Coast Swing

A nice slow West Coast that would give you time between steps to focus on technique… perhaps moving throughout those slows or trying out some of those fancy footwork triples Eddie and Adela highlighted in November?

What songs do you think should have made this list? What would you like to see in next month’s playlist? Let us know - we’d love to hear from you on Facebook or by email.

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Coming Events:

Events are hosted at the Sapphire Studio on Main Street in Christiansburg unless otherwise specified.

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Thanks for reading; we hope you found something you liked. Until we see you again, happy dancing!

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