About Round Dancing
(Choreographed Ballroom Dancing)

What is Round Dancing?

Round Dancing can be described as choreographed ballroom dancing. It includes elements of nearly all types of dancing, especially ballroom-type figures in such rhythms as:

• Bolero
• Cha Cha
• Foxtrot
• Jive (Triple Swing)
• Merengue
• Paso Doble
• Rumba
• Salsa
• Samba
• Single Swing
• Slow Two Step
• Tango (International and Argentine)
• Two Step
• Waltz

Round dancing is not geared toward training couples for dancing competitions. Rather, it was developed for the average couple as a hobby.

The dance couple performs sequences or patterns of movements as directed by a cuer. Couples do not need to memorize sequences of moves, since the cuer calls out the next move right before it is executed by couples on the dance floor.

Once the basics have been mastered in dance class, couples can travel to round dance weekends all over the world, where they can expect to hear the dances cued in English regardless of the native language of the country. Round dancing is enjoying rapid growth as an international activity.

What Do I Wear?

While some couples wear traditional square dance attire when attending dance events, the trend in dance clothing is varied—from ballroom dance attire to the type of skirts and dresses worn in everyday life. Couples can feelfree to wear casual clothing (including slacks) during dance training classes. During a dance event, women usually wear a dress or skirt and men are encouraged to wear a long-sleeved shirt.

Shoes are the most important consideration. Wear shoes with a smooth sole that allows you to "glide" across the dance floor and spin on the balls of your feet without twisting an ankle or wrenching your back and hips. Tennis shoes, sandals and hiking boots are not good for dancing, as they have a tendency to grip the floor and prevent you from executing the dance movements in a manner that allows natural body flow. Cowboy boots and other smooth-soled boots or shoes may be acceptable if they allow your feet and anklesto bend easily.