Cranbrook Community Dance

At Cranbrook Community Dance we aim to provide a wide variety of dance styles to our community members both in terms of lessons and appropriate music at our socials. Below you will find a selection of the styles of dance you may find at Cranbrook Community Dance.

Country Dances

Country Two-Step

Typically danced to 4/4 time, Country Two-Step is an upbeat country dance. Characterized by spins, Country Two-Step starts out as simple as walking and progresses into all sorts of fancy turns.
Some songs we like for Country Two-Step include:

Line Dancing

Typically danced to specific songs, Line Dancing is a non-partner dance where a group of people (or a solo dancer) perform a choreographed routine, typically a short and repetitive one, in a series of lines.
Some songs we like for Line Dancing include:

Nightclub Two-Step

Typically danced to 4/4 time, Nightclub Two-Step is a gentle and relaxed country dance. A very pleasant upgrade from prom-sway dancing, Nightclub Two-Step is very approachable and enjoyable.
Some songs we like for Nightclub Two-Step include:

International Ballroom Latin Dances

Cha Cha

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Cha Cha is a fun and upbeat dance developed in the 1950s.
Some songs we like for Cha Cha include:

Rumba

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Rumba is a smooth and slow dance with Cuban roots.
Some songs we like for Rumba include:

Samba

Typically danced in 2/4 time, Samba has its roots in Brazil: based on a dance called Maxixe. It is danced at a quick pace with a slight bounce.
Some songs we like for Samba include:

International Ballroom Standard Dances

Foxtrot

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Foxtrot was popular in mid-century films including routines by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is a slow and relaxed dance.
Some songs we like for Foxtrot include:

Quickstep

Typically danced in 2/4 time, Quickstep is a bright and energetic dance. It is danced with a lot of forward motion and
Some songs we like for Quickstep include:

Tango

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Tango is danced as a charismatic march. The dance is distinguished by its sharp and defined movements.
Some songs we like for Tango include:

Viennese Waltz

Typically danced in 6/8 time, Viennese Waltz is perhaps the oldest ballroom dance still danced today. It is danced swiftly and elegantly.
Some songs we like for Viennese Waltz include:

Waltz
Typically danced in 3/4 time, Waltz is a classic of ballroom dancing. The movements are smooth and sweeping, progressing gracefully down the floor.
Some songs we like for Waltz include:

Modern Social Dances

Salsa

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Salsa is one of the most popular social dances worldwide. Quick and upbeat, Salsa has many variations around the world including its own version of a “called” dance (like square dancing) called Rueda.
Song songs we like for Salsa include:

Bachata

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Bachata comes out of the Dominican Republic. The dance is fairly relaxed and smooth.
Some songs we like for Bachata include:

Hustle

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Hustle comes out of the disco era and is often paired with more modern music. The dance is upbeat with frequent direction changes and spins.
Some songs we like for Hustle include:

West Coast Swing

Typically danced in 4/4 time, West Coast Swing has roots in swing dancing but has taken inspiration from other dance styles including salsa and country dance. It is a smooth dance often danced to modern pop music.
Some songs we like for West Coast Swing include:

Swing Dances

Balboa

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Balboa evolved when dance halls grew too crowded to do the big movements of other swing dances. Typically danced with small but quick steps, Balboa is often danced in something of a hug.
Some songs we like for Balboa include:

Charleston

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Charleston is somewhat unique in that it can be danced as a partner dance or solo. Danced mostly in place with legs and arms swinging, Charleston is characterized by its kicks.
Some songs we like for Charleston include:

Collegiate Shag

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Collegiate Shag is an upbeat and bouncy dance. It evolved as a part of the swing dance family and is primarily danced to faster swing music.
Some songs we like for Collegiate Shag include:

Lindy Hop

Typically danced in 4/4 time, Lindy Hop is a fun and versatile dance. With roots in the improvisational and exciting dancing done by Black youth in Harlem, modern Lindy Hop is somewhat synonymous with “swing dancing”.
Sine songs we like for Lindy Hop include: