is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor.

Foxtrot is extremely versatile and can be danced to a variety of musical styles and tempi. In competition, however, it is danced to 4/4 big band (usually vocal) music at a tempo of 28 measure per minute. Popular vocalists of music suitable for Foxtrot are Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Shore.

History

The Foxtrot was introduced into the mainstream in 1913 by a man named Harry Fox. It ultimately became the most popular and lasting dance of the twentieth century, but not before going through many stylistic changes.

Compared with today's standards, the original Foxtrot was moderately fast, simple and unrefined, not unlike the music of the time. The popularity of the dance stemmed from its overall versatility and rhythmic variation (Foxtrot is noted for being the first dance to introduce the "Slow" count, before which time the popular dances such as the Waltz and the One-Step had only a single-count rhythm). But it wasn't until the early 30's that Foxtrot began to take on a smoother and more flowing quality in contrast to the new and exciting Latin dances hitting the scene.

A modified version called the Slow Foxtrot was evolved by the English, and is the technical basis for the version we now have.