What is Round Dancing?A Simple ExplanationRound Dancing is a form of choreographed and cued couple dancing, using many of the rhythms familiar from ballroom dancing.
These include Waltz, Foxtrot, Jive, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Quickstep, Bolero, Paso Doble and many more.
It is a non-competitive recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is open to everyone — including those who have never danced before and even those who believe they have “two left feet”!
The difference between Round Dancing and ordinary ballroom dancing is that every Round Dance has been choreographed to a particular piece of music. While the music is playing, a Cuer tells the dancers which figures to perform, just before they need to dance them.
This means you don't have to memorise an entire dance routine.
You simply learn the individual dance figures and, with experience, learn how to put them together as they are cued.
How does Round Dancing work?A choreographer selects a piece of music and creates a dance specifically for that music.
The figures are chosen to complement the rhythm, phrasing and character of the song. If the music rises, pauses, changes pace or has a particular accent, the choreography can reflect that change.
The complete choreography is then written down in a document known as a cue sheet.
At a Round Dance, the Cuer stands at the front of the hall. As the music plays, the Cuer names each figure just before it needs to be danced, giving the dancers time to respond.
For example, you might hear:
“Open Telemark, Pick Up, Diamond Turn...”
The dancers already know how to perform each of those figures. The Cuer is simply telling them what comes next.
This is similar in principle to Square Dancing, where dancers learn a collection of movements and respond to instructions from a Caller.
There is, however, an important difference.
In Square Dancing, the Caller creates sequences of calls that move the eight dancers through constantly changing formations.
In Round Dancing, the choreography has already been created specifically for the piece of music being played, and all the couples on the floor dance the same sequence of figures at the same time.
Why have a Cuer?In freestyle ballroom dancing, one partner generally determines which figures will be danced and leads their partner through them.
In Round Dancing, that decision has already been made by the choreographer.
The choreographer has carefully studied the music and selected the figures that best suit each section. The Cuer then reminds everyone of those figures as they dance.
This allows dancers to enjoy much more varied choreography without having to memorise every routine.
A single Round Dance might contain 30 or 40 different figures, arranged in combinations designed especially for that particular piece of music.
The next dance will be completely different.
Over the years, thousands of Round Dances have been choreographed to an enormous variety of music and rhythms, providing dancers with an almost endless choice.
More than just dancingRound Dancing combines music, movement, mental stimulation and friendship.
As your dancing develops, you learn new rhythms, figures and techniques. There is always something more to learn, but you can enjoy dancing at the level that suits you.
It provides gentle physical exercise while also challenging the brain as you listen to the Cuer, recognise the figures and respond to the music.
Best of all, it is something you can enjoy together with a partner.
Whether you have danced before or have never set foot on a dance floor, Round Dancing offers the opportunity to learn, exercise, enjoy wonderful music, meet new people and discover a recreational activity that can be enjoyed for many years.
Music, movement, friendship and fun — that's Round Dancing!
These include Waltz, Foxtrot, Jive, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Quickstep, Bolero, Paso Doble and many more.
It is a non-competitive recreational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is open to everyone — including those who have never danced before and even those who believe they have “two left feet”!
The difference between Round Dancing and ordinary ballroom dancing is that every Round Dance has been choreographed to a particular piece of music. While the music is playing, a Cuer tells the dancers which figures to perform, just before they need to dance them.
This means you don't have to memorise an entire dance routine.
You simply learn the individual dance figures and, with experience, learn how to put them together as they are cued.
How does Round Dancing work?A choreographer selects a piece of music and creates a dance specifically for that music.
The figures are chosen to complement the rhythm, phrasing and character of the song. If the music rises, pauses, changes pace or has a particular accent, the choreography can reflect that change.
The complete choreography is then written down in a document known as a cue sheet.
At a Round Dance, the Cuer stands at the front of the hall. As the music plays, the Cuer names each figure just before it needs to be danced, giving the dancers time to respond.
For example, you might hear:
“Open Telemark, Pick Up, Diamond Turn...”
The dancers already know how to perform each of those figures. The Cuer is simply telling them what comes next.
This is similar in principle to Square Dancing, where dancers learn a collection of movements and respond to instructions from a Caller.
There is, however, an important difference.
In Square Dancing, the Caller creates sequences of calls that move the eight dancers through constantly changing formations.
In Round Dancing, the choreography has already been created specifically for the piece of music being played, and all the couples on the floor dance the same sequence of figures at the same time.
Why have a Cuer?In freestyle ballroom dancing, one partner generally determines which figures will be danced and leads their partner through them.
In Round Dancing, that decision has already been made by the choreographer.
The choreographer has carefully studied the music and selected the figures that best suit each section. The Cuer then reminds everyone of those figures as they dance.
This allows dancers to enjoy much more varied choreography without having to memorise every routine.
A single Round Dance might contain 30 or 40 different figures, arranged in combinations designed especially for that particular piece of music.
The next dance will be completely different.
Over the years, thousands of Round Dances have been choreographed to an enormous variety of music and rhythms, providing dancers with an almost endless choice.
More than just dancingRound Dancing combines music, movement, mental stimulation and friendship.
As your dancing develops, you learn new rhythms, figures and techniques. There is always something more to learn, but you can enjoy dancing at the level that suits you.
It provides gentle physical exercise while also challenging the brain as you listen to the Cuer, recognise the figures and respond to the music.
Best of all, it is something you can enjoy together with a partner.
Whether you have danced before or have never set foot on a dance floor, Round Dancing offers the opportunity to learn, exercise, enjoy wonderful music, meet new people and discover a recreational activity that can be enjoyed for many years.
Music, movement, friendship and fun — that's Round Dancing!