Classic

Classical (Old Time) Dancing

Formerly known as ‘Old Time’, this form of sequence dancing was once the only form of dancing in England.
It was conducted under the strict watchful eye of the Masters of Ceremonies.
Dancers performed set steps in an orderly fashion with a set code of social etiquette. There are many different types of dances. Please read below for a description of the main dances that fall into this category.

English Technical Waltz

The Waltz, based on the Viennese Waltz and standardised in the 1930’s is an important feature in Old Time Sequence Dancing as it is used in most of the sequences.
It consists of a natural turn, a reverse turn and a joining movement called the Pas de Valse.

Saunters and Glides

These dances are merely Old-Time versions of the Foxtrot – often with a Swing or Blues rhythm. They share many of the same steps but frequently use shadow and side-by-side positions.
The dance is slow and graceful and the footwork is more casual than in formal Foxtrot.

Two Step

The two-step is an American dance. It forms a modified polka, adapted to American rag-time music, and was introduced into Europe at the end of the 19th century.

Gavotte

The origins of the gavotte or gavot go back to 1698 . The name is said to be derived from the Gavots, the inhabitants of the Gap, in France.
The Gavotte originated as an air for a dance with two strains, each of four or eight bars, in 2/4 or 4/4 time, the starting notes occupying half a bar.

Old Time Tango

Tango is not considered an Old Time Dance. In fact, on the contrary, it is a Modern Dance but the fact remains that the Tango has made an influence in the Old Time Ballroom, and as danced there, it conforms to a well established technique which is different to that danced in the modern ballroom.

Classic

Classical (Old Time) Dancing

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