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LA BAMBA
An old Mexican air from the province of Vera Cruz, Mexico, La Bamba is a charming folk dance that depicts two lovers who throw a narrow sash on the floor, managing to tie it into a knot with their dancing feet.

LA CUECA
La Cueca is a Chilian dance written in 6/8 time with the accompaniment in 3/4 time. Originally it was danced with handkerchiefs only, but during recent years it has enjoyed popularity on the ballroom floor.

LA RASPA
A Mexican dance from Vera Cruz, La Raspa is similar to square dancing except that it has a peculiar hopping step of its own. It has enjoyed a well-merited popularity for a number of years as a fun dance.

LA VARSOUVIENNE
Originally from Warsaw, the Americanized version of traditional Varsouvienne has established different versions in various parts of the country. Patterns differ from, yet show close kinship to, Varsouvienne of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It was popular among Western cowboys and South Western sections where it was known as the "Little Foot." It is also known as the Varsovien.

LAMBADA
The Lambada dance craze developed from the northeast coast of Brazil. The exciting look of the dance on European television took the Continent by storm in the late 1980s. Introduced to the United States by Arthur Murray personnel, its lighthearted Brazilian/Caribbean beat combines the flavor of the Samba with the sultry passion of the Rumba.

LAMBETH WALK
The Lambeth Walk is a walking dance done in a jaunty, strutting fashion. It was originally an old English step performed in the Limehouse district of London and danced to the song "Doing the Lambeth Walk." This dance was introduced into the United States about 1937 by Arthur Murray.

LANCERS
The quadrille of the Lancers was a set dance or single dance invented by a dancing master in Paris about 1836. England took it up and it was fashionable for a number of years in polite society there.

LANDLER
The Landler is reputed to be a product of Vienna and more than one hundred years old. It had a lusty Waltz flavor but was not a closed ballroom dance; instead, it belonged to the Country dance group. It is said by some authorities that with the passage of time the Landler became the basis for our modern Waltz.

LATIN DANCES
The Latin Dances are essentially divided into two categories:

1) The authentic, traditional dances that fall lately into the domain of the folkloric. Many of these dances vary from region to region and generally involve a rhythmic character as opposed to a set of choreographic distinctions.

2) The standardized expression of popular Latin dances embraced by cultures other than Hispanic, such as the Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Bolero, Mambo, and Paso Doble. These dances are danced both on a social and competitive level.

The choreography of Latin dances varies greatly according to region and time. However, it is possible to indicate the principal types of choreographic figures described in such terms as amorous dances, in which the partners hold each other closely, handkerchief dances, in which the partners dancing apart from each other wave handkerchiefs, and so on.

Ten principal may thus be established. They are:

Amorous dances such as Rumba, Merengue, Tango, and Milonga.
Handkerchief dances, such as Bailecito, Marinera, Sanjuanito and Zamacueca.
Finger snapping dances: Gato, Chacarera, Jarana.
Street dances: Choros, Guajira, Guaracha.
Pursuit dances: Fimeza, Escondido, Bambuco, Jarabe.
Square dances: Perican, Punto, Mejorana.
Rustic dances: Ranchera, Pasillo.
Ritual dances: Jongo, Macumba.
Carnival dances: Samba, Conga.
Topical ballads: Corrido, Zandunga, Calypso.

LINDY HOP
Named by Ray Bolger, after Colonel Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic, this Swing dance had as much "getting into the air" as possible. However, the violently acrobatic style used for exhibitions is not necessary to enjoy the Lindy Hop. The more acrobatic versions were limited to ballrooms of which the most famous was the New York's Savoy in Harlem. NOTE: At one time the Jitterbug included the Charleston, Black Bottom, Shag, and Lindy Hop.

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