| BAION |
A type of slow Samba rhythm from Brazil that became popular in North America during the 50's.
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| BALBOA |
A form of Swing popularized during the 50's in California.
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| BAMBA |
An old Mexican air from the province of Vera Cruz, Mexico, to which a charming folk dance depicts two lovers who throwing a narrow sash on the floor manage to tie in into a knot with their dancing feet.
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| BAMBUCO |
The national dance of Colombia, South America. It is characterized by cross accents in the music. It was formerly danced only by the natives but became a ballroom dance to be added to the gentle Pasillo, a favorite with Colombian society.
BARN DANCES: Barn dances are the product of our colonial ancestors who recreated them from England's Country Dances. They were performed in halls and barns as get-togethers among America's first social gatherings.
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| BATUQUE |
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."
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| BEGUINE |
A type of Rumba in which the accent is on the second eighth note of the first beat. Origins spring from Martinique and Cuba.
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| BIG APPLE |
This dance originated in a church in South Carolina which had been turned into a black nightclub called the "Big Apple." Mr. Arthur Murray did the choreography as we know it. The dance includes all the earlier Swing steps and requires a caller. The caller shouts "Shine" and asks for one of the swing steps. A single couple steps into the center and takes the initiative by performing an exhibition of that popular step. This dance was very popular in the 1930's.
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| BLACK BOTTOM |
Created in New York, circa 1926. This dance succeeded the Charleston. It may have originally come from New Orleans as did Jazz music. The stomping steps, the knee sway and the shuffling are definitely African American in origin. It was the black solo or couple dance about 1925.
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| 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.
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| BOLERO SON |
Just what the name implies. It starts as a Bolero and finished as a Son. The Son is faster, with sharper percussion and is less subtle than the Bolero.
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| BOOGIE WOOGIE |
African American jazz dance. The knees are held close together and the hips sway from side-to-side as the dancer travels forward. This figure is now seen in a variety of rhythm dances including Mambo, Cha Cha and Swing.
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| BOOMPS-A-DAISY |
A dance similar to the Lambeth Walk. The dancers bump hips at regular intervals. It is performed in Waltz time to one special tune. 1940.
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| BOSTON JIVE |
This is a form of Swing similar to basic Lindy but with kicks added.
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| BOSSA NOVA |
The music, born of a marriage of Brazilian rhythms and American Jazz. The dance, which is said to have originated at Carnegie Hall in 1961, is based on the slower, more subtle Salon Samba and features either type of Clave Beat or a Jazz Samba in 4/4 time.
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| BOTECITA |
The "Little Boat." It is Cuban dancing with a very exaggerated swaying of the shoulders.
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| BULERIAS |
A Spanish Gypsy dance. Livelier and more spirited than most of the repertoire. It's usually danced by a whole group and could be called a Flamenco jam-session.
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| BUNNY HOP |
This dance resembles the Conga line but has three jumps instead of a kick at the end of the phrase. The music is Ray Anthony. 1953.
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| BARN DANCES |
Barn dances are the product of our colonial ancestors who recreated them from England's Country Dances. They were performed in halls and barns as get-togethers among America's first social gatherings.
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