Can Can
In paris about 1890 a dance caused quite a stir. it was the can can. women kicked their black silk stocking clad legs high into the air - a most daring feat for the time. the can can may have been an off-shoot of the polka or even the quadrille, or both. today it is a music hall routine danced only by women.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/can_can.htm
Calypso
The music of the typical ballads in england sung by the natives of trinidad. there was no real dance but because of the extreme popularity of the music, in 1956, possibly due to the singer harry bellafonte, many steps were created. most of them resemble the cuban bolero or the martinique beguine or even swing.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/calypso.htm
Bossa Nova Jazz (Brazilie)
Brazilian music guide: bossa nova jazz discography
http://www.slipcue.com/music/brazil/aa_styles/brazjazz.html
Capoiera
Capoiera
http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/shaq/62/id39.htm
Cha Cha
From the less inhibited night clubs and dance halls the mambo underwent subtle changes. it was triple mambo, and then peculiar scraping and shuffling sounds during the "tripling" produced the imitative sound of cha cha cha. this then became a dance in itself. mambo or triple mambo or cha cha as it is now called, is but an advanced stage in interpretive social dancing born of the fusion of progressive american and latin music.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/cha_cha.htm
Country Dance
English folk dances as opposed to the court dances of bygone times. during the colonial days of america these country dances became our present day square dance, jig reels, as well as our virginia reel, arkansas traveler and paul jones.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/country_dance.htm
Cool Jazz
Cool Jazz
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=116&gloss=c
Continental Tango
A refined, technical version of the argentine tango. it is probably the most demanding of all smooth dances to execute. it calls for perfect control, phrasing and musicianship. the subtle movements, changes of weight and the design of the steps are never stilted but follow the melodic phrasing and are created anew with each new piece.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/continental_or_international_tan.htm
Bossa Nova ( Brazilie)
Brazilian bossa nova, major artists and recommended records
http://www.slipcue.com/music/brazil/aa_styles/bossanova.html
Bolero Son
Just what the name implies. it starts as a bolero and finishes as a son. the son is faster, with sharper percussion and is less subtle than the bolero.
http://www.webref.org/dance/b/bolero_son.htm
Alboraes
Alboraes
http://www.felpeyu.com/ingles/portada2.html#alboraes
Alabanzas
Alabanzas
http://alabanzas.com/
Afro Beat
Afro Beat
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=50&gloss=a
Amarg (Morocco)
Amarg (Morocco)
http://www.azawan.com/tachelhit/schuyler/art.htm
Batucada (Brazilie)
Brazilian music guide: musical styles index
http://www.slipcue.com/music/brazil/aa_styles/aa_styles.html
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 conga or bongos.
http://www.webref.org/dance/b/bolero.htm
Batuque (Afro- Braziliaans)
Afro-brazilian jam sessions. in the batuque the dancers form a circle around one performer. this solo dancer chooses his successor for the exhibition spot while shouting the word "sama."
http://www.webref.org/dance/b/batuque.htm
Dominican Merengue
The dance of the dominican republic is 2/4 time with syncopation of the first beat interpreted by the dancers as a slight limp. it became popular in 1957.
http://www.webref.org/dance/d/dominican_merengue.htm
English Tango
The style is the same as the other english competition dances, and the steps are not too unlike fox trot steps with a few latin flourishes as interpreted by english dance teachers.
http://www.webref.org/dance/e/english_tango.htm
Macumbo (Afro- Brazil)
An african brazilian ritual and like dances belonging to it.
http://www.webref.org/dance/m/macumbo.htm
Lambada (Brazilie)
This dance craze has its roots from the northeast coast of brazil. the exciting look of this dance on european television took the continent by storm in the late 80's. introduced to the u.s., its lighthearted brazilian/caribbean beat combines the flavor of the samba with the sultry passion of the rumba.
http://www.webref.org/dance/l/lambada.htm
Kankukus (Afro Braziliaans)
Afro-brazilian dances of the mestiso indians.
http://www.webref.org/dance/k/kankukus.htm
Mambo (Cuba)
Mambo (Cuba)
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=148&gloss=m
Modal Jazz
Modal Jazz
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=177&gloss=m
Twoo step Country Western
The two-step originated in the 1800's by people who arrived here from europe. it was an offspring of the minuet and they danced it as qqss. in the old western days when women were not allowed to dance with men, men danced together and that is the reason for the hand on the shoulder holding a can of beer and the other hand to the side. the only women who eventually danced with these men were indian and that is where all the turns came about, because indian women loved to spin. two-step is a western dance whose popularity has spread all over the united states.
http://www.webref.org/dance/c/country_western_two.htm
Tex-Mex - Tejano
Tex-Mex - Tejano
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=155&gloss=t
Palm-wine (Gahna)
Palm-wine (Gahna)
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=162&gloss=p
Hula (Haway)
Originally a sacred dance of hawaii supposedly created by the younger volcano kala to please his sister pele. in due time its varied interpretation also served to please the visiting sailors which did not please the missionaries who promptly banned it. despite this blight, it has revived and is now more popular than ever. it is in 4/4 meter, interprets stories by the use of arms, hands and facial expression. the basic step is a chasse' during which the hips undulate.
http://www.webref.org/dance/h/hula.htm
Hamster Style
Hamster Style
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=25&gloss=h
Free Jazz
Free Jazz
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=176&gloss=f
Folk-Rock
Folk-Rock
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=128&gloss=f
Farandole (Frans)
A dance haute from provence, france. a typical variation was a quick gallop step danced by a procession winding in and out in single file, headed by a musician who played a drum and fife at the time skipping along without losing a beat. 6/8 or 4/4 time.
http://www.webref.org/dance/f/farandole.htm
Fusion
Fusion
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=117&gloss=f
Gavotte (Frans)
This dance comes from france. during the 16th century it was customary for the leading couple to kiss each other and everyone else in the room at the end of their special "shine". it finally became a stage dance. although it has a long and varied history it is still charming and has been used by modern composers for chamber music.
http://www.webref.org/dance/g/gavotte.htm
Haitian Merengue
Haitian music stems directly from african rhythms. divested of mysticisms, its traditions and beliefs from the folkloric basis from which the haitian merengue derived. it is simple and smooth in its slow version and can be colorful and exciting in its faster forms.
http://www.webref.org/dance/h/haitian_merengue.htm
Griot (West Afrika)
Griot (West Afrika)
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=48&gloss=g
Urban Folk (N Amerika)
Urban Folk (N Amerika)
http://www.emplive.com/create/mus_resc/term.asp?id=134&gloss=u