Country/western dance, also called Country and Western dance, encompasses many dance forms or styles, which are typically danced to country-western music, and which are stylistically associated with American country and/or western traditions. In this article the terms "country/western", "country-western" and "western" are used interchangeably. A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... Country music, also called country and western music or country-western, is an amalgam of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic Music, Blues, Gospel, and Old-Time music. ... The Western United States, also referred to as the American West or simply The West, traditionally refers to the region constituting the westernmost states of the United States (see geographical terminology section for further discussion of these terms). ...

Forms and styles

These dance forms or styles fall into two basic categories:

• Partner dances, also known as western couple dancing
• Group dances

Western couple dancing is a form of social dance. There are many specific dance styles, among these are Two Step, Shuffle, Western promenade dances, as well as western-style variants of the Waltz, Polka and Swing. This style of dancing is not recognized within competitive ballroom dancing, however there are separate country/western dance competitions. Two people doing the Salsa. ... Group dances are danced by groups of people simultaneously, as opposed to individuals dancing alone or individually, and as opposed to couples dancing together but independently of others dancing at the same time, if any. ... Social dance is a major category or classification of danceforms or dance styles, where sociability and socializing are the primary focuses of the dancing. ... Two-step (Two Step) is the name of several dances, some related to each other and some not. ... Western promenade dances are a form of partner dance traditionally danced to country-western music, and which are stylistically associated with American country and/or western traditions. ... The waltz is a dance in 3/4 time, done primarily in closed position, the commonest basic figure of which is a full turn in two measures using three steps per measure. ... Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music; it originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, and is still a common genre of Czech folk music; it is also common both in Europe and in the Americas. ... Swing is a group of related street dances that evolved from Lindy Hop. ... Ballroom dance is a style of partner dance which originated in the western world and is now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. ... Competitive dance is a major category or classification of danceforms or dance styles, where competition is the primary focus of the dancing. ...

Western group dances include the following:

• Line dance
• Square dance
  • Traditional square dance
  • Modern Western square dance

A line dance is a formation dance in which a group of people dance in a line formation or in lines, and they all execute the same dance moves individually. ... Square dance is a folk dance for four couples that was first described in 17th century England but was also quite common in France and throughout Europe, but which has become associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country. ... Modern Western square dance (also called Western square dance, contemporary Western square dance, or modern American square dance) is one of two types of square dancing, along with traditional square dance. ...

Clogging

Clogging is a country/western step dance which is usually danced in groups, and is most often danced to bluegrass music. It could be described as being like a more animated version of Irish step dance or a country/western version of tap dancing. There are also dance competitions for clogging. Clogging is a traditional type of percussive folk dance which is common in the Appalachian Region of the United States, associated with the predecessor to bluegrass - old time music which is based on Irish and Scots-Irish fiddle tunes. ... Step dance is the generic term for dance styles where the footwork is the most important part of the dance. ... Bluegrass music is considered a form of American roots music with its own roots in the English, Irish and Scottish traditional music of immigrants from the British Isles (particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants of Appalachia), as well as the music of rural African-Americans, jazz, and blues. ... Girls in traditional costume performing Irish dance in a St. ... A pair of tap shoes. ... Competitive dance is a major category or classification of danceforms or dance styles, where competition is the primary focus of the dancing. ...

Organisations

Country/western dance is practiced in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide.

The United Country Western Dance Council establishes standards and sanctions dance competitions for this form of dancing.

Newest Dance Circuit ... American Country Dance Association came about in 2003. This new Country Western dance circuit was formed to reflect the changing needs and requests of the country dance community.

See also

• Wikipedia:Dance basic topics
• Country dance
• Country and Western