American Smooth

"Rita Dove pulls the ultimate dance trick: she makes it look easy."--New York Times Book Review An occasion to celebrate: a new collection by the Pulitzer Prize-winning former poet laureate; her first since On the Bus with Rosa Parks. With the grace of an Astaire, Rita Dove's magnificent poems pay homage to our kaleidoscopic cultural heritage; from the glorious shimmer of an operatic soprano to Bessie Smith's mournful wail; from paradise lost to angel food cake; from hotshots at the local shooting range to the Negro jazz band in World War I whose music conquered Europe before the Allied advance. Like the ballroom-dancing couple of the title poem, smiling and making the difficult seem effortless, Dove explores the shifting surfaces between perception and intimation.

Describes the history of ballroom dancing; presents photo-illustrated instructions for the waltz, foxtrot, tango, Viennese waltz, rumba, merengue, samba, cha-cha, mambo, East Coast swing, and hustle; discusses such topics as timing, rhythm, practice, and expectations; and includes an eleven-track audio CD.

This title in the American Dance Floor series provides an overview of the origins, development, and current status of Latin social dancing in the United States. Latin dance and music have had a widespread influence upon the development of other social dance and music styles in the United States. As a result, Latin dance styles are among the most important dance forms in America. Latin Dance addresses every major style of Latin dance, describing the basic steps that characterize it as well as its rhythmic pace and time signature, and examining its development from European, African, and Amerindian influences. The author explains the range of styles and expression to be found in Latin dances primarily within the context of couples social dancing, the popularity of salsa today, and the broader social meanings and implications of their multicultural origins from the 1600s to the present. The historic connection between exhibition Latin dance and American modern dance through vaudeville is explained as well.

Do you know your Botafago from your Volta Cross? Ever wondered how the Foxtrot got its name? Why is the Quick Step so quick? Which is easier, the standard Ballroom dances or the Latin ones? If you don't know the answer to most of these questions but fancy yourself as something of an armchair aficionado when it comes to Ballroom dancing, this book is for you. It will lead you into the wonderful world of Ballroom and teach you everything you need to know, without, if necessary, you even having to reach for your dancing shoes. As you'll soon discover, B is for Ballroom does exactly what the title suggests. Set out in an A to Z format it's the ultimate companion for anyone interested in Ballroom - whether you're nine years old or over ninety. It will teach you everything you need to know about this most beloved form of dance without you even having to take a class, break a leg or be dragged across the floor.

The purpose of this book is to attempt to get agreement from ballroom dance teachers in college and universities on content for a beginning class and standardise names for variations. The core curriculum agreed upon by CBDA is identified by an asterisk preceding the name of the variation in the contents page. Additional steps for each dance are included following the core. Suggested musical selections are listed at the end of each dance. Classics that have been popular through the years were chosen over current 'pop' songs.

From Buenos Aires to Paris to New Orleans, Mike and Barbara Bivona have traveled and danced throughout the world. And in this memoir and travelogue, these two dance aficionados share their adventures and experiences. Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited. Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biographies of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing.

Keen amateur dancers of the world: At last, a single authoritative book encapsulating everything necessary to move from social ballroom to performance and competitive DanceSport and on to the Olympics. Includes history, definitions, syllabi, dance notation, and the power of dance with its unique ability to change lives. Printed version includes full research index.