Ballroom Dance Vancouver
International Standard

The Foxtrot

Smooth, gliding and elegant: the dance that makes a ballroom look effortless.

StyleInternational Standard
Time4/4
Tempo28 to 30 bars a minute
RhythmSlow, quick, quick

About the Foxtrot

The Foxtrot takes its name from Harry Fox, a vaudeville performer in New York around 1914. English teachers smoothed it out in the 1920s into the Slow Foxtrot danced in International Standard today: a continuous, gliding dance where the couple seems to float around the room.

Many dancers call it the hardest Standard dance to do well, because the smooth, unbroken movement hides a lot of footwork. That is also what makes it so satisfying. The basic rhythm is slow, quick, quick, and the signature figures are the Feather and the Three Step.

Watch the figures

Short demonstrations of Foxtrot figures by Jim and Michele.

Feather

Three Step

Natural Turn

Open Reverse Turn

Three Fallaways

Hover Telemark

Telemark to Semi

Whiplash

Oversway

Learning Foxtrot with us

Foxtrot comes up in our monthly rotation for both classes. Beginners start with the Feather and Three Step, then add turns. Intermediate and advanced dancers work on heel turns, sway and the flow that makes Foxtrot look effortless. See all the dance styles.

Dance with us on Sundays

Friendly group classes in north Vancouver, an easy drive from Salmon Creek and Ridgefield.

$15 per person, per class. Ages 12+. Bring a partner or come on your own.
Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, 14511 NE 10th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98685