Dance has been around for thousands of years and has evolved over the centuries. Much of the transformation happened in the ballroom. From its early years in the royal courts of Europe to its presence in pop culture today, here’s a brief overview of the history of ballroom dancing. 

Early Origins

The word “ball” originated from the Latin term “ballare” which means “to dance.” During the 16th century, formal dances were restricted to the courts of royal families and the aristocracy, despite the fact that many performances had roots in traditional European folk culture.

Thankfully, Jehan Tabourot published a record of early ballroom dancing. The work is an extensive study of 16th-century Renaissance social dance, discussing pavane, galliard, branle, and other influential styles. 

Then, the minuet — a slow, graceful dance — emerged in 1650 in Paris when it was set to music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and performed publicly by King Louis XIV. Not too long after, Louis XIV established the first school of dance — the Académie Royale de Danse.

During the 19th century, the waltz spread like wildfire in England and grew in popularity when Carl Maria von Weber composed "Invitation to the Dance." The waltz was controversial because of the close proximity of dancers to each other, but it eventually dominated dance floors.               

Growing Popularity in the U.S. 

As the popularity of the waltz began to die down, new forms that encouraged couples to dance independently and more freely started taking hold in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century. Foxtrot and jazz influenced the wave of these contemporary dances, and performers Vernon and Irene Castle significantly influenced their spread.

Ballroom dancing came to the silver screens of Hollywood in films starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. From 1933 to 1939, the duo made several movies together, showing off fancy footwork that captivated audiences and inspired the future of dance.           

Modern Ballroom 

Today, ballroom dancing continues to thrive and is more popular than ever. Movies such as "Dance With Me" starring Vanessa Williams and TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" have all contributed to the continuing fascination with this art form. Dance classes are abundant across the globe, and whether you’re a novice or expert, everyone can participate and learn.

If you'd like to sign your children up for dance lessons, choose Ballroom in Boston. The dance studio in Watertown, MA, offers classes for all skill levels, both virtually and in person. The instructors have more than 20 years of combined  experience and teach everything from salsa to foxtrot. Call (313) 288-2784 or visit their website to learn more about their offerings.