A fellow blogger, the author of ABC of Spirit Talk w/Carolyn Page, lives in Australia. She loves to dance with her partner. They dance International Ballroom and Latin, as well as, New Vogue style. New Vogue style is very popular in her country.

(Here’s a recent post that Carolyn has published about what dancing means to her, “Renewed Interest in Dance”.  Please check it out; she’s very entertaining.)

Exactly what is New Vogue style dancing?

The discipline of New Vogue style is also known as sequence dancing.  It consists of 16 or 32 bars of choreography, danced in partnership and repeated.  The interesting thing about New Vogue style is that everyone dances the same sequence at the same time to the same music.   The result is the appearance of a well-rehearsed formation.

History tells us that the New Vogue style began in the 1930s in Australia and New Zealand where to this day it remains popular.   It’s performed socially and competitively, along with International Ballroom and Latin.  It’s danced throughout Europe and parts of Canada, as well.  Here’s a link to watch competitors doing the Australian New Vogue Dance, ‘The Carousel’.

Here are 4 reasons why we like the New Vogue style.

1. Aside from the name (looking at you, Madonna), dancing the set patterns of New Vogue is a great way to quickly get people up on the dance floor.
2. Because everyone does the same routine, leaders don’t have to create their own steps or variations.
3. Safely getting around on a crowded dance floor becomes easier because you already know where the other couples are going.
4. If you forget a step, look around you.  Your partner and the other dancers will remind you about what comes next.

Since everyone does the same choreography at the same time, participating is easy.  To join the dance, simply pick up the choreography at the spot that’s being danced when you get up on the floor.  The music and your muscle memory will make it a breeze.

How might we implement New Vogue style dancing in the American style?

Your instructors want to get you dancing as quickly as possible and this certainly appears to be one way to do that.

Start with a series of group classes once or twice a week featuring one dance.

Foxtrot would be ideal.  Many instructors encourage their students to learn it because it teaches movement, timing, and good partnership skills.  Here’s a Dance Safari post about the benefits of learning the Foxtrot.  Finding a  classic or modern song to use would be a piece of cake as there’s much to choose from.

After a few lessons, add some practice parties after class.

When the material starts to stick, every so often invite your students to stay after class.  Give them a chance to dance their routine in a social setting.

After the last New Vogue style dancing class is complete, offer a mini-competition along with a graduation ball for the participants.

As the students conclude the series, a graduation party is a great way to recognize their accomplishments.  But first, a small, friendly competition is a fun way to encourage your students to practice and remember their moves.

This proposal in no way reflects the history, provisions, and procedure of actual New Vogue style dance. However, why not apply some small part of the techniques that these dancers have mastered over the years. What do you think? Interesting, no?