Daza Dance Ballroom Academy: TROTTING WITH THE FOXTROT!

While most people think that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers created the Foxtrot, it is actually a mistake. The Foxtrot is a ballroom dance, which takes its name from its inventor, the vaudeville actor Harry Fox. According to legend, Fox was unable to find female dancers capable of performing the more difficult two-step. As a result, he added stagger steps (two trots), creating the basic Foxtrot rhythm of slow-slow-quick-quick. The dance was premiered in 1914, quickly catching the eye of the talented husband and wife duo, Vermon and Irene Castle, who lent the dance its signature grace and style. Arthur Murray, in whose version it began to imitate the positions of the American Tango, later standardized it. At its inception, the Foxtrot was originally danced to ragtime. Today, the dance is customarily accompanied by the same big band music to which swing is also danced.

By 1915, new and melodic “pop” songs were being written; tunes like, “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” and “Ida” were the smash hits of the day. The public was quick to appreciate the change to a smoother, more rhythmic style of music, and their dancing began to absorb the better attributes of the older dances. From 1917 up to the present time, the accent has been placed on smoother dancing and individualized expression.

From the late teens through the 1940’s, the Foxtort was certainly the most popular fast dance and the vast majority of records issued during these years were foxtrots. The Waltz and Tango, while popular, never overtook the Foxtrot.

When rock-and-roll first emerged in the early 1950’s, record companies were uncertain as to what style of dance would be most applicable to the music. Famously, Decca Records initially labeled its rock-and-roll releases as “Fox Trots”, most notably “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets. Since that recording, by some estimates, went on to sell more than 25 million copies. “Rock Around the Clock” is technically the biggest selling “Foxtrot” of all time.

Over time, foxtrot split into slow (Foxtrot) and quick (Quick-Step) versions. In the context of International Standard category of ballroom dances, for some time Foxtrot was called Slow Foxtrot, or Slow Fox.

By 1960, the international style of dancing was making its way into the U.S. ballrooms and many of the techniques were implemented into the American style Foxtrot. As of this writing, the main difference between the two styles is that the international style Foxtrot is danced entirely in contact maintaining the normal dance hold, while the American style allows for complete freedom of expression utilizing various dance holds and positions.

The American style Foxtrot is a progressive-traveling dance that covers some ground. If you can walk, you should be able to master this sophisticated, sassy and smooth dance. The body posture for the Foxtrot is upright, with a hold similar to the one used in the Waltz. As the tempo of the music increases, the steps need to be shortening in order to maintain a lively “trot” and proper balance.

With its smooth and sophisticated feeling, most figures are designed for the larger ballroom floor. However, these same figures are also suited to the average dance floor when danced more compactly. Still a classic dance for wedding receptions, the Foxtrot is a true American favorite.

Callie Harris and Antonio Daza performing the Foxtrot: