Quintessence of Social Dances

Main objective of the study is to comprehension of possible potential opportunities for presenting social dance in Ukrainian choreography; the identification of the main vectors of the historical conditions of its development as independent forms of choreographic art; to identify and define the key characteristics of social dance; form a definition of the term social dance. Methodology. The general scientific method of objectivity, historicism, comparison and system. The method of objectivity and historicism made it possible to trace the prerequisites, the main stages in the formation and development of social dance. The method of comparison was used in the analysis of sports-ballroom and social dance, makes it possible to identify the common and distinctive features. The system approach allowed a comprehensive approach to the problem. Important elements are the interconnection of its parts – the structural elements of everyday, ballroom, folklore dance. The method of observation is used for the analysis of social dance, has revealed its international character and at the same time the foundations of national and style parameters. Scientific novelty: the scientific researches on social dance in art history research of 20–21 centuries are generalized; specifies the specificity of social dance in the newest artistic and creative forms; the categorical apparatus of descriptions of social dance is specified. Conclusions. Social dance to originate from a ballroom and folk dance formed their respective forms, which nearly a hundred years of history have developed a simple and affordable, the canons of performance, manners, the position of performers in pairs and basic dance steps simplification, clarity of rhythm and dynamics of their implementation. According to the fact that they are performed both at balls, and at parties of rest, and at home. From the foregoing, we can formulate the following definition: social dance – dancing or dance styles of the different nations of the world, which are predominantly for leisure, communication between partners, their main goal is to achieve positive emotions rather than choreographic virtuosity. They are of Latin American and folklore origin. Social dance – a new perception of dance culture of the present, the main of which is easy and effortless execution of any type of dance, whose goal is the satisfaction of aesthetic, social and communication needs of the person, and not for professional performance or sporting achievements.