What is Social Partner Dance?

From February 21, 2011, Firefly Dance Club will be offering International Latin, Ballroom & New Vogue in addition to our current Social dance styles.

So what’s the difference between Social, International and New Vogue?

• The Social style starts with simpler patterns than International (or Modern) and the focus is more on learning partnership and floorcraft skills so that the patterns can be put together depending on the social situation.

• The Social style has moves which are “open” (in which partners can separate from each other) while International Ballroom stays in closed position. Partners dance closer together in International style rather than the more “distant” connection which characterises the Social style at Bronze level and can be less intimidating for newcomers .

• International style is what you would recognise from dance competitions, but is also taught as a more social style, as what most people want is to be able to use dance in social settings. It tends to use a set sequence of patterns.

• Using an analogy, the Social style starts with “words” and builds sentences then paragraphs. International style tends to come from the other direction, starting with sequences of patterns like paragraphs and then “pulls them apart” to examine sentences then words. For that reason, International style includes some dances that don’t lend themselves to social partner dance, such as Paso Doble.

• Both are legitimate styles with recognised curricula, technique, skills and levels

• The Social style includes Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Cha Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Bolero, Samba, and East Coast Swing. At Firefly we also teach West Coast Swing, Salsa, Two Step and Hustle which are danced in more casual social settings often to modern music.

• The International style includes Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Qick Step, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble

• However, there are different steps in each style, differences in technique and more confusingly in some cases, the dances are very different even though they are called the same eg Social Rumba and International Rumba.

• New Vogue started in the 1930s and is based on Modern Ballroom technique. However, in this style every couple on the dance floor performs the same steps at the same time and at the end of the sequence, the steps are started again. This makes it quite easy to learn at first and is very popular as a social dance. It is also a competitive style.

• International and New Vogue classes and private lessons are available with Serghei Bolgarschii from February 21, 2011. He will be bringing his existing students with him and we welcome them into the Firefly “family”.

If I have been learning one style can I try the other?

Yes is the simple answer. Any style Firefly teaches is open to everyone, although we do have some pre-requisities for some of our more difficult dances.

The best idea is to talk to your teacher about how this fits into your dance goals
For the students who have started with the International style, the Dance Sampler class is an easy way to experience the Social style and anyone doing private lessons at Firefly can come to the Sampler class at no cost.

Which is best for me?

Over time it will be good to know the basics and basic differences in technique of both styles as you will be able to dance with a broader range of people at social events.
Anyone wanting to compete should do International style.
Learning both gives you a better understanding about dance, rhythm and partnership.

What’s the advantage of Firefly extending the range of styles we offer?

Firefly has always been innovative in its approach to partner dancing, and while most Studio’s tend to opt for one style or the other (and sometimes see a great divide between them), we are building a “dance community” which can benefit from knowing and using a number of different styles which exist in the broader social scene.
Firefly will continue to acknowledge and embrace other styles you may come across socially (eg maybe Zouk or Lindy Hop) as we continue to grow.

Will the introduction of International and New Vogue styles change Firefly?

Yes, for the better – we will have more to offer current and new students
No – Firefly Dance Club is dedicated to the social use of partner dance, to our Club, to the best teaching, the best experience, the best environment and to individualising our programs. So our underlying philosophy and approach will not change. Serghei will be a Firefly staff member and will bring some new dimensions to what we can offer existing and future students.
We already have people with International experience that come to Firefly Fridays and are made very welcome
We will be looking at Club membership to make sure our International style students have the opportunity to join.