What is Sequence Dancing?

Modern Sequence Dancing is an English activity based on the standard ballroom and latin dances, including waltz, quickstep, foxtrot, rumba etc. However everyone dances the same 16 bar routine together. The dance steps are all standardised and often at quite high standards, but because the same routine is being done by everyone they become quite easy and enjoyable. There are also some classical (or old time) dances but these are not very popular nowadays.

Sequence dancing is sometimes introduced as an easy or social type of dance at social ballroom dances and at parties etc.  However this is not typical of the dancing which is done at the majority of sequence dance clubs and on sequence holidays.  Dedicated dancers would soon become bored with the same few easy dances every week and most clubs provide a wide range of new dances and variations.  However some clubs do cater more for those who go dancing only occasionally or perhaps once a week, and who are happy with a limited repertoire of social (or popular) sequence dances.  Dancers at these clubs are happy with just a few different dances and plenty of social chatter!

Most dedicated clubs suit those dancers seeking a greater challenge, particularly those who go dancing several times a week and new dances are regularly taught. These new dances are chosen at national competitions and the same dances are done at clubs all over the country. There are about 44 new dances each year and the competitions have to be authorised by the British Dance Council.   The new dances stimulate dancers although many would prefer rather less dances and a much more even spread throughout the year. Unfortunately the BDC seems to do little to promote social sequence dancing and do not publish any details of their deliberations.  

Professional dance schools which are run as businesses are often quite out of touch with the  sequence dance scene, and many schools see adult sequence tuition as a dead loss (financially)- few adults want to take medal tests!   However there are a few schools which do have social sequence dance classes for beginners and these can be useful for those starting dancing or as an initial stage for those changing from standard ballroom dancing. Unfortunately  these classes rarely keep up to date with the latest dances which are done in most clubs and on holidays. For these one needs to join a local sequence dance club, which is also much cheaper!

Most sequence dances are usually run as social clubs rather than as a business and charges are quite low (usually around  £2). They particularly attract retired people and provide a friendly and social atmosphere. Ladies often dance together when there are insufficient gentlemen. Most of the clubs will teach one of the new dances during the session when they are available.  Unfortunately there is no central co-ordinating body and as a result there is little publicity and no comprehensive list of clubs. 

 To get started, one needs to approach local clubs and ideally take some lessons in basic ballroom and latin dancing at a local dance school or evening class. 

On this web site we try to give news and information for the benefit of the more dedicated dancers, that is those who are mainly interested in dances from about the last three years.  We do not cover ballroom or general social dancing.

There is an excellent article comparing Ballroom and Sequence dancing which was published in "Dance Today" and this is still available if you click here

HISTORY - 

Dancing is really movement to music and like the music, all dance forms have some form of sequence whether it be traditional, folk, country, ballet, square, scottish, irish, clog, line or any other form.  What is generally called sequence dancing probably originated with the old court dances of France and England about 1600. 

Early in the 1900's the old time form developed with two steps, gavottes, mazurkas and quick waltz. Then came saunters, swings and tangos and these make up the traditional old time form.  New Vogue dancing in Australia is similar to the English old time form with open positions.  After the second world war came the halcyon days of ballroom dancing and this style started to predominate in what is known as modern sequence dancing by the 1950's.  In recent years the old time (or classical) style has virtually disappeared and  modern sequence dancing of today is almost entirely based on standard or ballroom dancing and latin styles.   New tempos have been introduced lately including Salsa and Mambos. 

Unfortunately with the decline in popularity of ballroom dancing so interest in sequence dancing is dropping and many clubs are closing.  This style will probably disappear within this generation just like the old time.   

This web site is solely dedicated to Modern Sequence Dancing in the United Kingdom, with news of the new dances and links to clubs all over the country. It is operated by Diane and Peter who are professional teachers of dancing specialising in this form of dancing. We are involved with several dance clubs in the Bournemouth area.