Hi, again ...love this website.

Planning to do a showcase in June. I want to do a FoxTrot, but my understanding is that it is hard to come up with cool variations and steps to do. One of the teachers at my studio told me there have never been a showcase in FoxTrot for 20 years in the studio.But I love that dance.. So if anyone have a good routine for FoxTrot, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks

Hi Mila,

I'm new to this site but have been taking ballroom lessons for over 4 years. I just did a
Foxtrot routine last December at our studio showcase( American Smooth style - bronze level). I don't think Foxtrot is any more difficult to choreograph a routine to than any of the other dances. We even incorporated some waltz-style moves and swing moves into it.

I've actually seen quite a few fox trot routeins... hmm, let me think.... the one that stands out the most would be a routein taht was done to the pink panther theme. It switched back and forth between fox trot and west coast swing.

Plus keep in mind that with showcase routeins, as long as you are moving in time to the music you don't have to have fox trot steps and variations, my best suggestion is to choose your music first and then listen to a few dozen times until you're absolutely sick of it (chances are by the time the showcase is over you'll be sick of it anyway) and just visualize yourself on stage with your partner and see what moves seem to fit in the music. I've actually created new step patterns that way. Just let your mind wander and you'll come up with something. Good luck and break a leg!
~LB

You Haven't Truly Made It Until Your Head Is On A Pez Dispenser

Foxtrot is actually my favorite dance to choreograph. Of the smooth dances, it is by far the most playful, with no shortage of opportunities to "tell a story" and show the relationship between man and woman. Think of every MGM movie you've ever seen with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers.

If you really want to get an idea of what people are dancing these days in Foxtrot routines, pick up a copy of the US Ballroom Championships (American Smooth division) from dancevision.com. Or better yet, just reach into your closet and fish out one of the old Fred & Ginger movies.

You can also borrow moves from other dances such as Waltz & Tango, or even open work from the Latin dances (I just borrowed a Mambo step for one of our weekly variations last month -- worked great in Foxtrot). For open & side-by-side choreography, you can use any number of jazz movements such as grapevines, step-points, jazz boxes, twist-turns and a variety of spins.

Good luck!

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com

I don't think it is any harder to come up with a routine with foxtrot than any other dance. I would recommend hiring a coach (even your instructor) to choreograph this routine. However, the first step is to find a song. Listen to lots of music to find one that you like, especially one that will allow you to develop an entertaining character.

Good luck,
Blair