Waltz Dance

Best Waltz Performance. Waltz Dance Photos

Let’s have a closer look at the waltz dance history and its roots. The meaning of the waltz dance is enclosed in its name. The word “waltz” was derived from the German “walzen,” which means “to revolve.” The dance can be traced back to the 13th century. Working people in the countryside of lower Germany and Austria performed a folk dance called the Waltzer at that time. Actually, it was the earliest version of the modern waltz dance style. Later on, in the middle of the 18th century, the dance entered saloons and ballrooms, though with certain restrictions caused by the conservatism of high-class audiences.

Around approximately the same time, in the 17th-18th centuries, another dance was evolving. It was also a country dance called the Landler (or the Schleifer). The local waltz dance group could perform almost the same foot movement patterns as in the waltz but with more complicated arm movements. They allowed a waltz dancer to turn their partner around. This dance was immensely popular in Germany, especially in Bavaria, and in Austria, including Vienna, in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

That was when aristocrats made the first steps toward adopting the elements and forms of the Waltzer and the Landler, turning these waltz dances from the social performances of peasants, workers, and servants into the respectful dance of noble people in Austria, Germany, and Britain.

Before that time, the minuet was the most popular social and ballroom dance at all festive gatherings and ballroom receptions. In the 19th century, the waltz dance performance entirely replaced the minuet across all the European dance rooms. Famous composers and musicians created outstanding masterpieces of waltz music for such occasions. We know and dance to several of them nowadays. “The Blue Danube” by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss and “Waltz of the Flowers” written by peter Tchaikovsky for his “The Nutcracker” ballet are still perceived emotionally and danced to with great pleasure.

Stay with us if you want to know more waltz dance facts. You can dance the waltz, watch waltz dance groups performing, or order the most professional dance acts for hire for your celebrations from “Hips Don’t Lie” nowadays at your location in Toronto and GTA, Canada.

What is waltz dancing? Most people believe that they know what it looks like. However, this style is performed both socially and competitively, and there are three main types of waltz dance and many other local waltzes that differ in their routines and representation. The three types are Viennese Waltz, International style, and American style.

The professional waltz dance troupe at “Hips Don’t Lie” offers beautiful performances in many of these varieties. If you are intrigued, we also offer waltz-style classes from the most experienced dance instructors teaching waltz dancing in Toronto.

The waltz dance definition is a style that requires two participants - a leader and a follower. The routine implies that at the beginning, dancers stand facing each other. The leader puts the right hand on the follower’s left part of the back to start the dance. The left hand is clasping with the follower’s right hand. Then, the leader steps forward with the left foot, moves to the right, closes the left foot to the right foot, and steps back with the right foot. After that, they move back to the left and close the right foot to the left foot.

The follower holds the left hand on the partner’s right shoulder, with the right hand clasped to the leader’s left hand. The first step is back with the right foot, and then they move to the left. After that, the follower closes the right foot to the left foot, steps forward with the left foot, moves back and to the right, and closes the left foot to the right foot.

It is the basic set of steps called the square. All the dance routines are done to the tempo of waltz music, that is, ¾ beat timing with 28-30 measures per minute. The other basic routine steps involve hesitation change, progressive chasse to the right, outside change, a wing, closed telemark, and 1-3 natural turns. The advanced routine steps include the natural spin turn, turning lock to the right, a wing, open telemark, promenade ronde, right lunge point, whisk, weave from PP 1-3, and natural turns.

There are routines for beginners (basic) and for three levels of mastery - bronze, silver, and gold. The gold level is the most professional. If you need a more detailed waltz dance description, come to “Hips Don’t Lie,” a prominent waltz dance company with a professional waltz dance troupe and experienced instructors. You can order the best performers for your special occasions or take classes for beginners and at a more advanced level to get the waltz dance explained to you by the true masters.

What is a waltz in dance?
A waltz is a word that comes from German and means “to revolve.” Here, the name of the most famous and loved ballroom dance originates. The dancers move around the floor, revolving right or left, and this movement creates a perfect picture of elegance and grace.

What is the style of waltz dance?
According to the history of waltz dance, it is a ballroom dance performed by two dancers in a couple, with one leading and the other following partner. They move counterclockwise across the floor and perform other elements of routines, depending on the level - beginner, bronze, silver, or gold.

Where is the waltz dance from?
Though the waltz dance in Toronto is very popular, it comes from Bavaria, Germany, and Austria. It was initially a flok dance performed by local peasants, workers, and servants. Later on, it entered the ballrooms of the nobles and became well-appreciated by them.

Is the waltz a difficult dance?
Experienced dance teachers and waltz dance teams believe that the waltz is not difficult to learn, so if you start with it, it will be much easier for you to master all other ballroom dances. However, you need good body shape and stamina to dance this style because your upper and lower body parts are always involved in it, and you need to perform dancing figures and moves at a certain pace.