Why you absolutely need dance lessons… (Part 2)
Fifty years after Chubby Checker, the essence of The Twist can still be in modern songs, like Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” In the music video, the group of white-clad dancers are doing a twice-as-slow, but very blatant, Twist during the chorus. The video also showed repeated themes reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, proving that good dance moves never go out of fashion.
But sometimes parties take on a decidedly sophisticated note, and knowing specific moves is useful, like knowing how to box step for the rumba, waltz and foxtrot. The basics of ballroom dance moves are simple and easily broken down, and the more you practice and repeat them, the easier they’ll come on the dance floor.
Dancing vs. Special Events
If you’re attending a wedding — regardless if it’s yours or another’s — it’s especially vital to know a couple of moves. Weddings today tend to be much more relaxed in nature than during your parents’ or grandparents’ time, but knowing how to dance is still a must.
For your own dance, you’ll have to know a few steps for the first dance and how to lead or follow (or how to switch mid-dance.) And because it’s your night, there’s a very strong possibility that you’ll be on the dance floor for more, not less, of the dances.
But for another person’s wedding — and depending on your role in it — you might be able to get away with having to know a few less moves, but you’ll still need to be able to dance. Luckily, there are millions of dace instructors and studios that specialize in training people just for these occasions and can teach you a small arsenal of moves in time for any event. One thing to keep in mind is to practice your newly-learned moves in the clothes you’ll be wearing, because formal clothing hangs differently and you may have to adjust your movements.
Dancing vs. Nightlife
Social butterflies absolutely need to learn several dance moves if they go out every weekend, unless they’re content to chat with friends at a local pub. In some ways, dancing at a bar or club is easier than other places because the music played there is typically very beat- or rhythm-heavy, and allows for more freedom of expression and interpretation. However, this can also be a slight disadvantage if you prefer just knowing a set of moves, or don’t feel comfortable creating moves on the spot.
The best way to get around this is to watch music videos featuring techno, dub step, electronica or hip-hop on YouTube, as the kind of moves you’ll see there are usually mimicked in clubs. One thing to keep in mind is that the kind of dancing seen in clubs hinges on what’s current that very second, so it’s key to check out the music charts to learn what the hottest songs are. However, one generality that applies to dancing today is it’s slinky rather than bouncy, and grind-y rather than energetic. If you can picture a lava lamp, that’s the kind of motions and moves you should be channeling: smooth, swaying, continuous, and in tandem with the music and with others.
Putting It All Together
Dancing in public can be a nerve-wracking affair for many people, as it goes beyond just busting out a couple of steps in front of other people. It’s a form of self-expression put on display where the dancer leaves themselves vulnerable and open to judgment, but it doesn’t have to be. All it takes is “homework” in the form of taking dance lessons, surfing YouTube, a few rounds of practice in a low-key, comfortable environment, and the willingness to connect with others. Before you know it, you’ll be commanding the centre of the dance floor and not even thinking twice about it!
For more information on dance lessons or to get involved with a dance studio in your area visit DanceHub. Discover dance studios, dance instructors, and dance classes near you.
