| Two of my favourite Ballroom Dances would be The | | | | outstretched arms and the distinctive climax of the |
| Jive and The Samba. | | | | Samba where the dancers throw their heads back |
| The Samba is a composition of several different | | | | and their arms are splayed out to the side. |
| South American dances that were practiced by | | | | The fastest of the Latin Dances, The Jive is believed |
| slaves bought into Portugal in the 16th century, like | | | | to have originated in New York's Harlem area |
| the Catarete, Embolada and the Batuque. These | | | | although some believe it originates in the southeast |
| dances were considered vulgar by the Europeans and | | | | United States. |
| one of the dances, the Batuque was so popular that | | | | The Jive is a face paced, rhythmical dance which has |
| it was outlawed. The Batuque was danced in a circle | | | | been influenced by other styles including Boogie, |
| with steps resembling those of a Charleston with a | | | | Rock, African American Swing and the Lindyhop. The |
| solo dancer in the center of the circle. | | | | Jive is also known as the Cake Walk, because in the |
| Eventually, carnival steps were added and the dance | | | | late 1800's the Negroes in the south held |
| was modified to use the closed ballroom position and | | | | competitions where the prize for the best Jive was a |
| considered a proper dance by the Europeans. | | | | cake. |
| The Samba appears to be a combination of all these | | | | Although dancers appear to have their legs and feet |
| dances (and probably others) and is danced to a | | | | flying everywhere when performing The Jive, they're |
| heavy hitting rhythm and its main moves are walking | | | | feet are directly under the body with the knees |
| and side steps and incorporates a lot of hip action. | | | | always close together. The woman is twirled a lot |
| For this reason, it is thought that The Samba a | | | | and there are a lot of kicks. |
| perfect party dance. | | | | The Jive is generally performed to music known as |
| In the Samba, Ballroom Dancing Judges look for | | | | Ragtime. The reason the music is called Ragtime may |
| accuracy and passion in the Volta (crossing in front | | | | be because the dancers dressed up in their finest |
| of the body), the Samba Roll (moving the upper | | | | clothes ("rags") or because the syncopation of the |
| body in a circular motion while going through a six | | | | music giving it a ragged feel. |
| step turn) and the Botafogo (traveling walk that | | | | Both the Jive and The Samba are wonderful dancers |
| includes a direction change). Judges always look for | | | | that are a joy to watch. |