 Dance Sport Denotes Dance As A Vital Sport
Added: 11/30/2007 |
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Dance Sport , in short, denotes dance as a vital sport activity. But how has it come to the present form? In this respect, it can be said, that at the beginning this very term was applied to the concept of competitive ballroom dancing, in its international style. In the international respect there is the existence of two organisations in the realm of dance sport. While there is the predominance of the International Dance Sport Federation, or the IDSF, which is an international governing body for amateurs, there is the World Dance and Dance Sport Council or the WD & DSC, to manage the affairs of the dance professionals.
Throughout the world there is indeed a prepotency of the dance sport and of a high standard. In this repect, it is to be stated, that the student dance sport in the global spectrum enjoys a great popularity, in particular in the realm of United Kingdom. Only in this country almost 20,000 students are members of the Inter Varsity Dance Association, or IVDA. But it is in the year 1997 when the dance sport gained a major status, since from that year the International Olympic Committee or the IOC has officially the dance sport as a viable sport, with the IDSF becoming as IOC recognized International Sports Federation. Though there has been a considerable effort on the part of the IDSF for the inclusion of dance sport as a medal sport in the Olympic Games, the decision of the IOC till now has been negative. It is in force only until the 2012 Olympics and subject to reconsideration afterwards! Whatever it is, the dances that do make up the list of dance sport dances, happen to be performed in a competitive manner at both professional and amateur levels, in the international arena. It is to be noted, that on the whole ten international style ballroom dances, of which there are five Standard and five Latin, are defined as the traditional types of dance sport by the International Dance Sport Federation, or IDSF and the World Dance and Dance Sport Council or the WD & DSC, the international governing bodies of amateur and professional dance sport , respectively. What are the forms of dances? While in the Standard section there is the inclusion of Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep, in the Latin section there is the prominence of Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive. The list is thereafter supplemented by nine American style dances—four Smooth and five Rhythm—which are defined by several United States dance organizations, including USA Dance, (formerly USABDA, the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association). Other than this, depennding on which dances are performed, these organizations do specify the tempo of music allowed and the duration of each competition round. Now in respect of England, for instance at the Blackpool Dance Festival, the categories are traditionally called "Ballroom" and "Latin American" dances, respectively. While in the standard dances, men are found to typically wear coattails, vests, and bow ties, women are perceived to wear elegant and colorful gowns, often with sheer fabric draped from the shoulders or arms.
Thoughout the tenure of dance sport the partners do remain in closed position and the movements are also found to be elegant sweeping. But it should be noted at the same time, that the Latin dances happen to be more overtly sensual, with skimpy costumes for women and tight-fitting ones for men. Again, more variation in movement is allowed than in the Standard dances, so hip action and athletic maneuvers such as dips are common. On the other hand the Smooth and Rhythm categories of American style Dance Sport do more or less correspond to the Standard and Latin categories of International style. Lastly, it should be mentioned, that the Rhythm dances were also considerably influenced by American dancers of the post-WWII era, but the differences between it and International Latin are certainly more elusive.
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