Unlike the rest of the ballroom dances, the Rumba emphasizes ones body movements more than their footwork. The rhythm from the dance, which is emphasized by any kind of percussion, drums, pots, maracas, etc., is more essential to the dance compared to tune itself. The fascinating rhythms and mesmerizing body movements of this dance make it one of the more popular ballroom dances.
The Rumba was relying on the Spanish and Africans with most of the development of the dance going on in Cuba. The Rumba evolved in Nineteenth century Havana, originating with the African Negro slaves who has been imported. The rural Rumba was originally for exhibition as opposed to participation. In some reference works the Rumba is considered to be a pantomime of the movements of barnyard animals using the steady level shoulders depicting the movements of slaves since they carried heavy burdens. However, most look at the Rumba as a dance of affection and sensuality with the woman tempting the person with her charms, teasing then withdrawing. Some go a stride farther saying the dance is a pantomime of sex with the man dancing extremely fast in a very sensual yet aggressive manner with greatly exaggerated hip movements, and also the woman responding with a defensive attitude. Whichever is correct, the Rumba is the most sensual of all the Latin ballroom dances.
Son, Danzon, Guagira, Guaracha and Naningo are typical names for the Rumba. The Son, the slower more refined Rumba would have been a favorite among the middle class Cubans. The wealthy portion of Cuban society preferred the Danzon, that is an even slower Rumba using very small steps and more subtle hip movements.
The modified version from the Rumba known as the Son was shown Americans in 1913. In the late 1920's Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra focusing on Latin American Music which really didn't produce a following until around 1929. By the end of the decade Xavier had the most effective Latin American orchestra of his day.
Monsieur Pierre Lavelle, a London dance teacher, and his partner Doris Lavelle were responsible for bringing and popularizing the Rumba and other Latin American dances to Europe. In 1955 by making use of Pierre and Lavelle the Cuban Rumba was finally named as the officially recognized version of the Rumba.
During ballroom dance competitions the judges will probably be watching for the following: * Interplay relating to the partners - this is a dance of love, a portrayal of romance. This isn't the time for solemn, passive expressions * A solid direct walk * Plenty of slow body shapes - one's body NEVER stops changing its shape * Figure eight hip rolls - hips alternating in a forward motion * NEVER leading while using heel, stay on the balls of the feet * The Cucaracha step - you need to rock to the right or left then replace and close * The fan position - the woman positioned to the man's left side, at arms length and also at a 90 angle to the man
The Rumba was relying on the Spanish and Africans with most of the development of the dance going on in Cuba. The Rumba evolved in Nineteenth century Havana, originating with the African Negro slaves who has been imported. The rural Rumba was originally for exhibition as opposed to participation. In some reference works the Rumba is considered to be a pantomime of the movements of barnyard animals using the steady level shoulders depicting the movements of slaves since they carried heavy burdens. However, most look at the Rumba as a dance of affection and sensuality with the woman tempting the person with her charms, teasing then withdrawing. Some go a stride farther saying the dance is a pantomime of sex with the man dancing extremely fast in a very sensual yet aggressive manner with greatly exaggerated hip movements, and also the woman responding with a defensive attitude. Whichever is correct, the Rumba is the most sensual of all the Latin ballroom dances.
Son, Danzon, Guagira, Guaracha and Naningo are typical names for the Rumba. The Son, the slower more refined Rumba would have been a favorite among the middle class Cubans. The wealthy portion of Cuban society preferred the Danzon, that is an even slower Rumba using very small steps and more subtle hip movements.
The modified version from the Rumba known as the Son was shown Americans in 1913. In the late 1920's Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra focusing on Latin American Music which really didn't produce a following until around 1929. By the end of the decade Xavier had the most effective Latin American orchestra of his day.
Monsieur Pierre Lavelle, a London dance teacher, and his partner Doris Lavelle were responsible for bringing and popularizing the Rumba and other Latin American dances to Europe. In 1955 by making use of Pierre and Lavelle the Cuban Rumba was finally named as the officially recognized version of the Rumba.
During ballroom dance competitions the judges will probably be watching for the following: * Interplay relating to the partners - this is a dance of love, a portrayal of romance. This isn't the time for solemn, passive expressions * A solid direct walk * Plenty of slow body shapes - one's body NEVER stops changing its shape * Figure eight hip rolls - hips alternating in a forward motion * NEVER leading while using heel, stay on the balls of the feet * The Cucaracha step - you need to rock to the right or left then replace and close * The fan position - the woman positioned to the man's left side, at arms length and also at a 90 angle to the man
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