Physical Education Social Dances and Dance Mixers

Dance Etiquette
A set of guidelines that help you navigate the social dimensions of dancing. It is essential for you to maximize
how to go about the process of social dancing and have a happy dancing experience.
DANCE FLOOR DEMEANOR/BEHAVIOR
WHAT TO WEAR
NO-FAULT DANCING
ON THE FLOOR
PERSONAL GROOMING
ASKING FOR A DANCE

ATTIRE GENTLEMEN LADIES

DONTs IN TERMS OF OUTFITS and DANCE SHOES:
or
spongy sole. Always wear dance shoes.
shirts and strapped dresses.


loose/long necklaces and big belt buckles.

PERSONAL GROOMING
DURING THE DANCE


they need to change

BEFORE THE DANCE
a deodorant



ON THE DANCE FLOOR
Line of Direction (Counter clockwise) While on the Floor (Avoid colliding with other pairs)
Be Polite (Thank or Compliment your Partner) Accompany your Partner back to her Seat
NO-FAULT DANCING


something went wrong

DEMEANOR
partner.
not your personal style.

promptly if asked to dance.
partner


Formal Tailcoat, Tuxedo Coat, Regular Coat, Bow Tie or
Regular Necktie, Black Trouser
Ball Gown, Evening Gown, Dinner Gown,
Cocktail Gown
Semi-Formal Dress Shirt and Tie, Vest or Sweater that shows
the Tie
Dinner Dresses, Flowing Pants
Dressy Casual
(Practices)
Solid Color T-shirts, Turtleneck, Polo Shirt,
Cotton Slacks
Anything that displays a conservative, toned-
down appearance
Latin Button-up shirt, Solid T-shirt, Turtleneck, Dress
Slacks, Bright Colorful Outfits are Accepted
Sexy Outfits and Long Slit skirts, Low Necklines
and Exposed Midriffs are Popular
Social dances and dance mixers are dances intended primarily to get to know other people in attendance to a
certain social function. They are also called ballroom dances.

They are usually performed in pairs, male and female, but may also be performed in groups. Social dances are
classified into two major classifications namely the Latin American Dances and the Modern Standard Dances.

Social Dances are communal dances performed in social gatherings in any given space.

Latin American Dances include the salsa, mambo, meringue, swing, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive, boogie,
and paso doble. Latin are somewhat revealing, tight-fitting, sexy yet sophisticated in nature. They are freer and
can be performed in close or open hold.

While the Modern Standard Dances include the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep.
Standard dances on the other hand, wear formal, ankle-length gowns for females and coat-and-tie for males.
Most of the time, movements in these are restricted to close ballroom position with partner.
Social or ballroom dances are different from dance sport because the latter is freer in nature and are primarily
intended to widen ones social horizon, for recreation; and fitness.

Dance mixers, on the other hand, are social dances which allow group of performers to change partners
periodically while dancing to allow chance to get to know other members of the performing group. Its primary
function is to maximize the social dimensions of dancing.

CHA CHA
- offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began
dancing to, calling the step the "Triple" Mambo.
RUMBA
- the Dance of Love. The Rumba is a "spot dance". It is danced in one spot and is expressed through body
movement. The character is romantic and sexy. The style or technique used is Cuban motion of the hips.
WALTZ
- comes from the old German word walzen, which means to roll, turn, or to glide. When first
introduced into the English bal lrooms in the early 1800's, the Waltz was denounced by both church
and state for its vulgari ty and immorality, primarily due to its closer hold and rapi d turning
movements.

SWING
- Characterized by jumps, spi ns, turns and throw-outs, the Lindy was seen on dance floors al l across
America. Today, the Lindy has undergone many alterations and has been toned down and
incorporated i nto a bal lroom format known most commonly as the Swing.
TANGO
- Tango is a sensual coupli ng, forged by raw emotion. The Tango is al so unique in the dancer's head
position. BOTH dancers are "looking" in the same direction.