A Bailar! Let's Dance! Private Lessons offered by Baila Rythms also include quinceaneras and/or wedding plans.

QUINCEANERAS
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY
BY
ROSIE & CHAIS

__________________________________________________________


WEDDINGS & QUINCEANERAS

Plan Ahead for your First Dance

Baila Rythms recommends that you start planning at least six months prior to your event. This will allow enough time so that you can choose your special song and the type of dance you want to dance, and take lessons before "party craziness" takes over! But...if you find yourself in a last minute crunch...we are ready to be of service to you! It is best to prepare for your first dance with the same care you give to your invitations, gowns, catering, flowers and music.

Private lessons are the best choice for wedding couples as you will be able to dance exclusively with your fiancée and choose your own music. Quinceaneras are also best suited in the private lesson plan.

Tailor your lessons to your needs and schedule! Private lessons can be purchased singly, in discounted packages, or in combination with group classes. Ask about our Specials.

Choose Your Music

We will be happy to make suggestions regarding the music for your first dance, the music itinerary for your whole event, or even how to select the right orchestra or DJ for your event. If you already have a band or an orchestra that will be playing your first song, we will help you choose a recorded version to use during lessons and for practicing at home. You may also bring us a recording you like and we will help you determine what style of dance fits the music, such as Foxtrot, Waltz or Swing for weddings or any other style for the Quinceanera's court dance. We will choreograph a routine that is best for you.

At the final practice, we will perform a dress rehearsal so choosing shoes suitable for dancing is important if you want to move gracefully, as well as wearing your dress crinoline or hoop and also your head piece or some type of headwear. This will avoid disasters at the time of the event.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smooth Ballroom Smooth Ballroom refers to the dances that "travel" such as Waltz, Foxtrot, American Tango, & Viennese Waltz. It does not include "spot" dances, which do not travel, like Swing. The dancing of Fred Astaire is one of the most well known examples of Smooth Ballroom. Smooth Latin Dances, such as ChaCha and Rumba are also taught within our Smooth Program as rhythm styles.

SMOOTH

Foxtrot:

The Foxtrot remains the most popular social dance in the world today. According to other dancers, little did Harry Fox realize that his trotting on a New York stage in 1913 would become an overnight success. The Foxtrot is the foundation for many of the social dances that followed. It is enjoyed by all age groups for its ease of movement and smooth style. Foxtrot music is played by most social dance orchestras and is one of the easiest dances to learn in the American Style.

Waltz:

 As a fashionable dance, the Waltz appeared in Bohemia, Austria, Bavaria and various parts of Europe in the late 1700s. Danced in timing, the recurring even beats of music send the dancers whirling around the floor enjoying the thrill of the Waltz movement.

Tango:

The Tango is a progressive dance moving along the line of dance and uses body movement. A staccato movement of the feet and flexed knees highlight the dramatic style of the Tango. Tango was born in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the last century. Originally developed by the poor immigrants in the ports, as their way of expressing loneliness, frustration, desire and energy, it was seen by the rest of the world as dangerous. A close embrace, legs often entwined - a dance of passion. Tango was popularized in the 1920s when some of the great tango songs were written, and various big tango orchestras started. It became socially acceptable and many young people started dancing it in ballrooms and at tea dances, both in Buenos Aires, and Paris. Now it is danced all over the world. Tango music can be slow and soulful, or fast and fun. It is beautiful to listen to, but even better to dance!

Viennese Waltz:

This dance originated in Mid-Europe back some 400 years ago. The music is fast in tempo and sends the couples whirling around the floor. For Further Information on all dance styles, check The History of Dance website.

RHYTHM

ChaCha:

An exciting syncopated latin dance which originated in the 1950s as a slowed down Mambo. According to other sources, the ChaCha gathers its personality, character, rhythm, basis and charm from two major dance sources. It is a derivation of the Mambo through its Latin music, it is also a step-child of the Swing, as it is danced to its 1-2-3, step -step rhythm. The ChaCha gets its name and character from its distinct repetitive foot rhythm.

Rumba:

The Rumba was originally a courtship, marriage and street dance that was African in origin. The Rumba met some opposition from society's upper crust because of the suggestive body and hop movements. The characteristic feature is to take each step without initially placing the weight on that step. Steps are made with a slightly bent knee which, when straightened, causes the hops to sway from side to side in what has come to be knows as "Cuban Motion".

Samba:

The Samba is a lively Brazilian dance and known to Brazilians as their native dance. This Brazilian dance was first introduced in 1917 but was finally adopted by Brazilian society in 1930 as a ballroom dance. The style is to bounce steadily and smoothly in 2/4 meter. They say that the Samba was introduced in the United States in 1939 by the late Carmen Miranda.

Bolero:

Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially into 2/4 time, then eventually into 4/4. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion effect, usually implemented with Congas or Bongos.

Mambo/Salsa:

Since Salsa, Mambo and Merengue are often danced together in clubs, we group them together here at Baila Rythms

Salsa/Mambo or Club Salsa

Salsa is one of the world’s most popular dances. It is lots of fun and many clubs play Salsa. It is based on Afro-Cuban musical roots and while it originated in Cuba as Mambo, many of its music and dance innovations took place in New York City.

The spicy Mambo/Salsa, as it is currently known, grew out of the Danzon (national music of Cuba) and grasped the imagination of the American dance scene at the close of World War II. Later, the fast Swing-Jazz and upbeat Latin music joined to form the updated and uninhibited Mambo/Salsa. The Mambo/Salsa is a spot dance and steps are quite compact.

Merengue:

The Merengue is a popular dance of Haiti and the Dominican Republic - a truly lively Latin dance. There is an old tale about the very brave and famous military officer who was wounded in battle and developed a limp. A celebration dance was given for the great hero returning from the wars. He got up to dance and limped on his wounded leg. All the other men present, rather than embarrass the hero, accordingly favored their legs as they danced. Thus the Merengue was born.

COURSES FOR ALL DANCERS

Latin Styling & Technique

These courses do not focus on timing but rather styling issues which can be applied to the Latin dances regardless of whether you break on 1 or 2, etc. Work is done on hand movements, body isolations, partnership connection and syncopations. The basic movements as well as the open step patterns and partner work will be taught, including hip-hop and jazz patterns, to the rhythm of current Latin music.

Spins, Turns & Pivots

All Levels Focuses on the technique of turning in a variety of dances (Swing, Ballroom and Latin) for both leaders and followers. The ability to lead a turn, spin, or pivot is as essential as the technique of following. Spins usually refer to revolving at a high speed on one foot and are executed by followers, while turns are done by both partners in many rhythms and dances, and pivots are accomplished as a couple in dance position and are quite advanced. Techniques of preparation, spotting, proper balance, alignment, and musica will be enhanced in this class, at all levels. Schedule

--------------------------------------------------------------

Disco Hustle:

Hustle is a general name for many different forms of hustle. Back in the late 1970's, most disco dances were called Latin Hustle or NY Hustle. The dance has evolved greatly over the years, through at least 6 major changes. The earliest version (approximately 1975) looks like it was developed by women doing the woman's part in West Coast Swing. Originally it was a 6-count dance, then changed to 3 count about 1980. About 1980 the dance had a rock- step in it, but that was changed to a together-forward about 1982. Many people believe they are doing NY hustle, however they generally doing older versions of Hustle. Originally, NY Hustle was a catch-all name, and some versions of it were identical to some versions of Latin Hustle. By about 1983, the other versions of hustle had faded away, and what was left we called NY Hustle. Hustle helped to highlight a partner dancing revival back in the 1970's and is quite fun and challenging. Baila Rythms is teaching a style of Disco Hustle danced by Rosie for the past 28 years in the Detroit Metro area.

Swing

Lindy Hop

Also known as "Jitterbug" or "Bop", this truly American-bred dance has been danced in New York since 1927. It has a strong Charleston influence and is danced in a circular pattern instead of a slot as in West Coast Swing. Dance Manhattan's Lindy Hop curriculum includes 6 & 8 count triple, double and single rhythm footwork, 40's style Charlestons and variations and era specific jazz movements. It can be danced to all tempos of music, from big band swing to 50's rock n' roll music. At the advanced level, it can be done with aerial (overhead) steps which are choreographed and practiced.

East Coast Swing:

This dance is frequently referred to as Triple Step swing due to the rhythm of the basic triple step. This dance consists of six and eight count patterns, which require a rock step back by both the man and woman to begin. It is a circular dance that is danced with a bound and is very grounded and not high in the legs. This bounce requires the dancer to stay very smooth and not jump around much. East Coast swing is the base for all swing dances.

West Coast Swing:

One of the most popular partner dances in the country. It developed from the Lindy, and more specifically Dean Collins Swing, and is done primarily to medium tempo Rhythm & Blues style music. WCS is a bit more sultry and sexy than other swing dances. Smooth and rolling, a variety of music styles lend themselves to West Coast Swing - blues and R&B, as well as some country, pop, and rock. Because of this you can have fun with this dance style in a wide variety of settings and venues. WCS combines 6 & 8 count rhythms and syncopated footwork.

SPORT YOGA This class will include a variety of techniques to promote a healthy body. The foundations of yoga (and hence Sport Yoga) go back thousands of years, (some theorize as much as 5000 years). Sport Yoga is a unique blent of ancient, modern, and experimental excercises designed to promote wellness and strength on a mental, physical, and spiritual level. When done properly, Sport Yoga will bring together the mind and body, bringing oneself to new levels of body awarenss. Put in more scientific terms, yoga has both psychological and physiological benefits. One of Sport Yoga's most important physiological benefits (and the initial goal for many new to Sport Yoga) is an increase in musculoskeletal flexibility and range of motion. The formatting, movements, and theories are taken and adapted from a variety of sources including: Hatha (physical) yoga, martial arts warm-up routines (specifically Chinese Kung-fu), tai chi, Pilates mat exercises, postural analysis, European cycling coaching techniques, as well as traditional sport stretches and warms. ______________________________________________________

TAI CHI While its practitioners have historically considered it primarily a style of martial art, T'ai Chi Ch'uan is also called an art of moving meditation. T'ai Chi theory and practice is formulated in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to beginning and intermediate level T'ai Chi training, many therapeutic interventions along the lines of TCM are taught to advanced T'ai Chi students in traditional schools. T'ai Chi Chuan as physical training is characterized by its requirement for the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation rather than muscular tension. The slow, repetitive work involved in that process is said to gently increase and open the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, peristalsis, etc.). Over time, proponents say, this enhancement becomes a lasting effect, a direct reversal of the physical effects of stress on the human body. This reversal allows much more of the students' native energy to be available to them, which they may then apply more effectively to the rest of their lives; families, careers, spiritual or creative pursuits, hobbies, etc. ______________________________________________________

E-mail us at rmadrigal@bailarythms.comor call (313) 570-4803 to set up an appointment today!