The Bolero

Dance Summary Type: Latin American Rhythm Character: Deep movement, graceful extension Music: Spanish guitar, Latin (wide flowing beats, 4/4) In Short: Bolero is unique among Latin dances in character and style, highly artistic and passionate. It is also one of the most difficult and hence less widely danced
Beginner's Rating Simple: Instructional: Creative: Slow-Paced: Practical: Overall Score:
Notes on Frame Maintain a medium oval frame, slightly larger than a typical latin frame (e.g. Rumba) but smaller than a typical ballroom frame (e.g. Waltz), keeping elbows up and level from one side to the next. Keep shoulders slightly forward of the torso, and maintain a solid but not rigid connection with your partner. The man's left hand should be at approximately the lady's eye level and his right centered on her shoulder blade. The lady's left hand should oppose the man's right shoulder. Partners should position themselves directly in front of one another.
Notes on Footwork All steps should be taken on the balls of the feet but without any cuban hip motion. Side steps should be large and elongated, stretching the side of the direction of movment to create a slight sway. Heels should stay in contact with the ground but should not bear any significant weight. Feet should always be in contact with the floor.
Notes on Movement Traditionally this dance travels around a medium circular range but may also be walked around the whole dance floor. When traveling, keep to the outer right and move counterclockwise around the floor, being careful not to collide with other couples.

History of the Bolero

The Bolero originated in Spain in the late 18th century when Sebastian Cerezo employed a stylized form of a Spanish folk dance in one of his ballets. Its smooth and graceful movements accompanied by passionate musical arrangements quickly earned the dance its romantic reputation as the dance of lovers, and it wouldn’t take long for it to replace the Fandango as the most popular dance in Spain.

After a series of minor developments and additions, the Bolero surfaced in Cuba about a hundred years later. As it continued to develop, the Cubans adapted the dance to a 2/4 timing rather than the typical 3/4 timing of the Spanish Bolero and eventually to 4/4. When the music changed, so did the style, and the Cuban Bolero came to bear many stylistic resemblances with modern Rumba, which developed alongside Bolero in Havanna around the same period.

The Bolero finally made its way to America with the composition of Bolero by the French composer, Ravel, around 1930. Popular musical performers such as Luis Miguel, Ana Gabriel, and Gloria Estefan continued to perpetuate the Bolero style today with soft and smooth beats, accompanied by ardent vocals and the skillful strumming of the Spanish guitar.

Bolero is danced to 4/4 music with a slow holding step followed by two relaxed quick steps for the final two beats of the measure. On the first beat, the dancer takes a wide side step, stretching through his body as if rising off of the floor. Observers during the time of the dance’s founding thought it had the look of flying (volaro means "I am flying" in Spanish). Thus the dance got its original name, which soon evolved into the name it bears today.

Practice Points

To get the feel for the side step, place your feet together, soften into the knees, and step to the side while straightening (but not locking) the knees. Use this same motion on the first quick to get the momentum for the next two steps. The first quick should be a small step, the second quick a medium step, and the slow a large step. Feet should remain flat, though there should not be any weight on the heels. There should be a slight checking motion on the first quick of each measure.

Recommendations

Bolero is not a dance for the beginning dance student. The basic alone involves a complex set of actions that look simple enough when smoothed into one but in fact involve a number fine technical points. Patterns in Bolero tend to be quite unique when compared to many other dances, and styling also lends to its intrigue. Beginners are advised to begin Bolero only after they have completed a bronze level program in the other essential Latin dances.

This dance would be well suited for any of the following occasions:

Anniversary Evenings Ballroom Dances Class Reunions Corporate Events Cruises Dance Clubs

Fitness Centers College Formals In-home Parties Marriage Programs Marriage Retreats Outdoor Dances

Regional Vacations Social Dances School Proms School Talent Shows Wedding Receptions Youth Events