Shall We Dance?
On with the dance! Let job be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet
To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet.
--Lord Byron
There is no doubt about it! Dancing is enjoying a resurgence worldwide. Movies like Strictly Ballroom (1992), Scent of a Woman (1992), and Shall We Dance (2004) got the attention of young and old. With the immergence of TV shows like Dancing With the Stars (ABC 2005), Ballroom Bootcamp (TLC 2005), and So You Think You Can Dance (2005) the interest in ballroom dancing hit a new peak. Where at one time, the younger generations considered it old fashioned, today everyone wants to learn to dance!
People have danced since the beginning of time, beginning with primitive courtship and tribal dances. Although primitive dances were often performed by members of the same sex with no bodily contact, social dance is essentially touch dancing and includes all forms of partner dancing.
The term “ballroom dancing” was originally applied to the dances commonly done in a ballroom. Today the term is generally used to identify traditional social dancing as compared to other forms of dance, such as ballet.
Ballroom Dancing has its origins in England during the late 18th and early 19th century, however primarily among the upper class who participated in social events at balls. The dances of the day were the minuet in France, quadrille in France and England, and the waltz in Austria. During the late 19th and early 20th century, Ballroom Dancing became popular among the working class who attended public dance halls or “popular assemblies.” Additional dances were introduced, including the fox-trot, lindy, two-step, tango, samba, rhumba, and cha-cha. After World War II, traditional ballroom dancing and music went into a decline, and the rock-and-roll era began.
Many different dances have developed over the years and the popularity of ballroom dancing has had its high moments and its low moments. One thing is for sure, today the popularity of ballroom dancing has skyrocketed.
Dancing is a wonderful recreational activity – and it is wonderful for you. Even health clubs are promoting ballroom dancing as a fitness activity. Instructors say ballroom dance puts less stress on knees and ankles than other aerobic exercises like running and step classes. Dance studios are over flowing with new students wanting to learn to dance.
The Petroleum Club Dance Club
of the
Petroleum Club of Houston
At The Petroleum Club, we have our very own dance club. Founded in 1994 and named after Agnes Maule, who was well known in Houston for her love of ballroom dancing, The Agnes Maule Dance Club (now known as The Petroleum Club Dance Club) offers the opportunity for members to “dress up” and enjoy dancing with your friends. Many of our members are long-time ballroom dancers and some are just beginners – but we all have one thing in common – we love to dance. Whether we are just learning and practicing our steps or have been dancing for years, we all say,
Shall We Dance?
