As a ballroom dance chapter president, I am responsible to select DJ's or bands to play for our Ballroom dances -- I make all prospects aware of the music that is mandatory to play at our ballroom dances.
I use the term ballroom "dance rhythms" and typically identify the dances (waltz, foxtrot, rumba cha cha, ECS, WCS etc) that I want as primary and played more often than those I classify as secondary (samba, salsa, bachata, VWaltz, quickstep etc.)for the evening.
I was recently advised that the use of "rhythms" was not correct but that I should use the word 'dance styles' ---
Your thoughts and help
Bob Romeo

"Rhythm" has a perfectly well defined meaning. In simple terms, it's the patters of slows and quicks. I'm not quite as certain about "style," but it may refer to the character of the type of dance (for example Foxtrot and Tango may share some foot positions but if you dance them properly they look different).

Of the two terms you mention, "dance styles" may be a better terminology. Or why not just say "dances"? It all depends on what concept you are trying to convey to the bands.

nloftofan1:
Thanks much for sharing your thoughts. I'm still confused.

I guess the safest way is to ask the prospective DJ or band leader if they understand that ballroom dance music has a different dance style than non ballroom dance music (i.e.country for instance). Or perhaps to just include a listing of dance styles (i.e. foxtrot, waltz, tango etc.)will be less confusing. ????

The following was written by a band leader who also dances:

Here are the rules that in spite of my best efforts MOST of our local
bands seem to use for dance gigs:

1. Tempo doesn't matter. The dancers will deal with all tempos somehow.

2. Since tempo doesn't matter, NEVER use a metronome to set time in a
dance tune. Using a crutch like that will just make you look bad.
ALWAYS set the tempo from the seat of your pants. Anything else will
damage your ego.

3. The drummer should always play dance tunes using the style of
drumming he's most comfortable with. For example a nice 4/4 swing beat
really works well with all "latin" numbers.

4. It works even better if you play in a jazz style with all tops and
no bass drum at all. Let the dancers listen to the hihat to get the
beat.

5. Remember that there are only two kinds of music: The stuff the band
always plays and "latin". Any "latin" tune will do. A couple of
generic "latin" numbers for the evening ought to keep the dancers
happy! Bossa Nova is always a good choice.

6. Always end the dance with some super fast rousing swing tune. That
will end the evening with a nice bang (and make sure you never get
hired for a boring dance gig again).

7. Even better find a cheap hall and start holding "dances" yourself.
Don't worry. Any cement floor covered with sticky "old people wax" will
do. Hell, the "premiere" "dance club" in our town regularly holds
"dances" out on their blacktop and don't even bother to sweep the
stones off. (the wood floors out there are for people to stand around
on with their drinks). The best thing about holding your own dance is
you can tell all the damn hoofers who $%&*@! about your music to piss
off.

8. And Oh yeah, never forget: Tempo doesn't matter.