Waltz

Waltz is the most elegant and romantic of the smooth dances. In addition to being the traditional Wedding Dance, this is a must for all who love ballroom dance. Characterised by rise and fall and sway, the dancers feet stay in contact with the floor to create a smooth, gliding graceful look.

The waltz’s origins can be  traced  as far back as the middle ages when Austrian peasants would dance  what was known as the Landler to ¾ music. Men and women would intertwine their arms, dance and jump in  circles to yodelling melodies. The Landler eventually became popular in the dance halls of Vienna and other parts of Europe.

The dance became more refined with gliding movements and the dance became known as the Waltz. The name came from the German word “Waltzen” which means to turn or the Italian word “Volver” which means to turn or revolve.

The Waltz became the world’s first “forbidden” or “dirty dance” because until the 18th Century dances like the Minuet were refined, with elaborate bows and curtsies, little physical contact between the partners and required proper techniques like turned out feet.

The Waltz was the first widely popular dance to feature a closed dance position with the man’s arm around the girl’s waist and the couple dancing face to face. This close contact led the Waltz to be denounced as scandalous and immoral with church authorities and the older generation condemning the dance. In some dance halls it was banned and you could be arrested for Waltzing! All this attention only served to popularise the Waltz.

Waltzes began to be written by musicians such as Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss, who became known as the “Waltz King of Vienna”. Great excitement greeted the introduction of each new waltz. By the end of the 18th century, Paris had 700 dance halls.

The Waltz was eventually standardised and dominated much of the European and American dance scenes until the first World War, when Tango and Foxtrot emerged.

Waltz has unique timing with three even beats. “Moon River” by Andy Williams is a traditional example while “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones is more contemporary.

At Firefly we teach the American style slow Waltz, a beautiful dance with flowing open moves.  It can be learned in Private Lessons or group classes. As one of Firefly’s core dances it is introduced in the casual Dance Sampler class and in the Partner Dance for Beginners Level I series group class.

If you are interested in learning Waltz:

• Check the Dance Sampler schedule.
• Talk to Firefly on 1300 725 977
• Check the Group Timetable for the next Partner Dance for Beginners Level II class.
• Enquire Now