History of the Foxtrot

In 1914, Vernon and Irene Castle, took to the dance floor with the first officially-recognized foxtrot. The two are credited with giving the dance its unique grace. The name is attributed to Harry Fox, a vaudeville actor during the time.

In the late 1930s and 1940s, the foxtrot was the most popular dance. In fact, the first rock and roll records in the early 1950s were designed to be danced to the foxtrot. “Rock Around the Clock” has been named the best selling foxtrot record of all time.

How to Foxtrot

Resembling a fast-paced version of the waltz, the foxtrot moves with flowing motions across the dance floor. It’s typically danced to big band style music.

Changes in the foxtrot have occurred over the years. Today the foxtrot is often used to describe a slow version of the dance while the quickstep is a faster version.

In the American style, the foxtrot has a slow-quick-quick rhythm and graceful moves, though international versions of the foxtrot exist as well. Variations of this dance can look like the polka, with a focus on the slow, slow, quick, quick beat.

Learn to Foxtrot

The foxtrot has been a staple in American dance music for nearly a century. Whether you’ve seen the dance in older movies like “Cheek to Cheek” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” or in recent movies, such as “The Wedding Planner,” it is a dance that is simply fun to perform.

Arthur Murray offers foxtrot lessons to dancers at all levels, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn how to foxtrot.
