Ballroom Dancers Anonymous Trivia Quiz

Answer: cha cha

Of Cuban decent, the cha cha is danced in American, International and Country Western ballroom styles.

Answer: waltz

While the origin of this dance is not entirely clear, the style got the most attention in Vienna, Austria. At the time, it was performed by peasants and frowned upon by the religious elite that considered the closed dance position (body contact) to be vulgar.

Answer: foxtrot

Many of the songs sung by Frank Sinatra and/or Cole Porter were foxtrots. Foxtrot is often one of the first dances taught to new dancers. I especially like to dance foxtrot on the more advanced levels since you can syncopate the pattern. Syncopation mean going "double time" or splitting the beats, thus you take two steps to the usual one.

Answer: east coast swing

Probably one of the most fun of all the dances, east coast swing is one of the easiest dances to learn. The "basic step" is a very simple "step, step, rock-step." East coast swing can be danced in single, double or triple time.

Answer: two step

"Lay Down Sally" by Eric Clapton is an example of the standard two-step rhythm. It is more traditionally done in the country western ballroom crowd, but the average ballroom dancer would also know how to dance this dance.

Answer: tango

Tango is one of the more difficult dances to learn as it has a unique rhythm and complicated patterns. Tango's frame and posture is danced deep in the knees with the heads turned away from one another. There is a good reason for that as the dance was danced between men when it came into being during a time it was taboo to touch a woman that wasn't your spouse.

Answer: west coast swing

West coast swing, unlike east coast swing, is a "slot dance." Instead of a circular pattern, the lead pushes his partner up and down a "slot" (everything runs up and down a straight line). It is also a more complicated dance due to the rhythm and dance patterns.

Answer: rumba

A smoldering Latin dance, rumba is likely the easiest of the rhythm dances to learn. There is a definite "slow...quick-quick...slow" pattern that is usually danced in a box-like shape.

Answer: hustle

Hustle has identical basic steps as an east coast swing, the speed and timing at which you do them is different. Most of the songs from the disco era were hustle dances.

Answer: salsa

For the purposes of dance steps, salsa and mambo are the exact same dance. The only difference is on what count of the music you begin to move, either on the 1 count or the 2 count. The jury is out on which is exactly correct as different dancers from different parts of the world categorize the dance differently.

Answer: samba

Why am I watching? While I love to watch samba, it is a complicated Latin dance with step patterns that are largely unlike any other Latin dance. Samba originated in Brazil and is a fascinating dance to watch. I've been dancing some six years and still "don't get it" when it comes to samba.

Answer: cha cha

"Sway" is one of those songs that fits both cha cha and rumba. You see more advanced dancers cha cha and the beginners stick with the rumba.

Answer: east coast swing

East coast swing is a favorite among the youngest of dancers. Aficionados of the dance often take it to the extreme with lifts and dips and other tricks.

Answer: waltz

Another waltz, "Open Arms" is slow enough to allow you to really stretch out the steps and holds. The "slow...quick-quick...slow...quick-quick" gives you time to relax after a long night of dancing.

Answer: quickstep

You could also dance east coast swing and possibly jive to "Mr. Pinstripe Suit" as it is a song that suits multiple dances. In our case, of the selections given, quickstep would be the only dance to fit.