1. Waltz:
- Origin: Vienna, Austria (mid-18th century)
- Characteristics: Elegant and gliding movements in triple time. Performed by couples in a closed position.
2. Polka:
- Origin: Bohemia (now Czech Republic), early 19th century
- Characteristics: Lively and fast-paced dance in duple time. Couples dance in a closed position with quick spins and leaps.
3. Quadrille:
- Origin: France, 18th century
- Characteristics: Square dance performed by four couples in a square formation. It involves various figures and patterns.
4. Mazurka:
- Origin: Poland, 19th century
- Characteristics: Triple-time dance with a distinctive hop known as the "mazurka step." Performed by couples in various holds and turns.
5. Schottische:
- Origin: Germany, 19th century
- Characteristics: Simple and lively couple dance featuring hopping and stepping movements in duple time.
6. Barn Dance:
- Origin: United States, 19th century (influenced by European folk dances)
- Characteristics: Lively group dance, with line formations and call-and-response interactions. Often associated with barn dances and square dances.
7. Cakewalk:
- Origin: African American dance culture, late 19th century
- Characteristics: Satirical parade march dance that originated in minstrel shows. Involves stylized strutting and exaggerated movements.
8. Tango:
- Origin: Argentina and Uruguay, late 19th/early 20th century
- Characteristics: Passionate and dramatic partner dance involving intricate footwork and close embraces.
9. Fox Trot:
- Origin: United States, early 20th century
- Characteristics: Smooth and gliding social dance in duple time. It became particularly popular after World War I.
10. One-Step:
- Origin: United States, late 19th century
- Characteristics: Simple social dance featuring straightforward walking steps in duple time.
Overall, these dances, among others, showcased the diversity and cultural influences that shaped popular dance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of these dances continue to be appreciated and practiced today.