What Is Round Dancing?
Round
Dancing is a form of social ballroom dancing in which the steps are
choreographed precisely to the music, and those steps are announced by
a "cuer," as we dance. The presence of the cuer makes a round dance
look different than the usual ballroom dance — all the couples are
dancing in unison and the choreography can be relatively complex and
interesting (since the man doesn't have to think it up as he goes) —
but otherwise round dancers are ballroom dancing. We hold our partners
in the normal way. We take the same kinds of steps. The rhythms are the
familiar rhythms — waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, and others listed in
the navigation bar to the left. more
This
manual describes how to round dance. The steps, figures, and techniques
also work well at weddings, dinner dances, and other social ballroom
functions.
Take a quick Site
Tour
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About Dance—
Or, for a list of all educational articles on how to
dance more smoothly and comfortably, see this TOC.
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Latest Additions To Dance Site—
How's Your Blend? by Helmut Licht -- Adjust to your dance partner so that you look good together.
Shall We Take A Walk? -- In round dancing, we walk, but it's not just walking.
"Phase VI Figures continued" and other articles on round dancing — Round About, © by Roy &
Phyllis Stier
Round Dancers vs. "Good" Round Dancers by Frank & Carol Valenta. Good dancing comes from study, commitment, and lots of practice.
The Three A's + 1 by Bill & Martha Buck. Good dancing comes from Acceptance, Attitude, Ability, and Appreciation.
Jive and Swing Deserve A Little Care and Precision, Too by Harold & Meredith Sears
Dancing Posture is good posture, balance, and couple connection -- by Richard Lamberty.
Yes, You May Video, But . . . by Sandi & Dan Finch. Should we liberalize festival video recording policy?
One
Figure, a discussion of the Jive Tunnel by Harold & Meredith Sears.
"Foxtrot II" — Round Dance Tips by Tim Eum
West Coast Swing Figure Groups by Susie & Gert-Jan Rotscheid
Four Problem Figures in West Coast Swing by Brent & Judy Moore
Smile! by Annette Woodruff. If we aren't smiling, are we not having fun?
Body Types by Richard Lamberty. A good frame is a compromise between power and lightness.
Round Dancing Is A Partnership by Harold & Meredith Sears.
Posture and Balance by Kaye West
One Figure, Three Rhythms by Sandi & Dan Finch
Make It Look Easy by Harold & Meredith Sears. The comfort and ease in dance are in the details.
Picture Figures, an article
by Gert-Jan & Susie Rotscheid
Some Basics—Suggestions for Learning to Round Dance -- Maintain A Positive Attitude -- by Kaye West
Rumba and the Latin Hip, by Harold & Meredith Sears. For "latin" action, step ball-flat, step to a straight leg, and allow
your hips to roll through a smooth figure-8 over each pair of steps.
Latin Motion by Chris & Terri Cantrell
Let's Dance the Mambo! More on the Latin Hip by Irv & Betty Easterday
Tango Timing by Richard Lamberty
Talking Tango by Wayne & Barbara Blackford
Teaching (and Learning) Waltz Magic -- Rise & Fall by Dick & Karen Fisher
Why the Tango Is Not a Latin Dance by Veronica
McClure
Dancing Is Not Walking by Harold & Meredith Sears.Two strategies to make your movements feel more
like dancing are anticipation/preparation and rise/fall.
Making Your Figures Flow by Brent & Judy Moore
A Waltz Whirl by Harold & Meredith Sears.a thrilling left-turning sequence in Radka Sandeman's Evening Star.
The Dixie Round Dance Council has published one or more educational articles per month for over ten years. Check out my archive (and if you have a newsletter collection and know what was printed in a month that I don't list, please let me know).
Development of Dance
Through the Centuries by Harold & Meredith Sears. An abbreviated history -- from the beginning :-)
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