Anyone care to dance?

[Weird Harold]

A recent TV ad for a CD collection "not available in any store" made me feel old and nostalgic. It also brought a question to mind:

For those who are under thirty, when you go dancing do the dances you do have a name? How many of you can do the Polka, Waltz, Fox Trot, or Two Step?

Back in the dark ages when I was in elementary school, those dances were taught as part of the physical education program. Unfortunately, I'm afflicted with an overabundance of sinister pedal appendages, (left feet,) a paucity of coordination, and a meager sense of rythm, the lessons never took for me.

I always envied Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. I yearned for the skill to whirl a beautiful woman around a grand ballroom like the actors in the movies. I still feel a bit inadequate when I watch an old movie with a ballroom scene filled with couples gracefully waltzing a "great circle" around the floor, or an energetic polka with couples skipping, twirling and spinning around a dance floor.

The ad that prompted this trip into nostalgia and regret was for "The one hundred greatest polkas" and featured videos of young people demonstrating the polka at it's best. I wondered where people in their 20's learned to polka, and what is going to become of the fine art of ballroom dancing if the youth of today don't learn.

Is this a sign of the decline of romance in our society, or am I just being a sentimental old man about this?

 

[Firesprite]

my two left feet worth

Is this a sign of the decline of romance in our society, or am I just being a sentimental old man about this?

I don't go out dancing a whole lot, but I know what you mean.
I don't think it is a sign of decline of romance, just a decline of the romance of the dance.
From what I have observed it is all tit shaking, pelvic thrusting, I'm a sex god and you know it style of dance. Frankly on a scale of take it or leave it, I left it long ago.

I do know how to waltz, and square dance but alot of the time thats just plain hard to the sort of music played these days (that, and you need more than 1 square foot of dance floor that is allocated to you in todays nightclubs)

Unfortunatly I am not the best dancer. I used to hate it when we had ballroom dancing in P.E. at school.. I was the odd girl out.. the one who always had to do the male steps with another girl, or the one who had to sit and watch because there wern't enough people.. Thank god those days are behind me.

 

[Aresearcher]

Being from the dark ages myself and "coordination deprived" I agree with you somewhat. However, the ability to get out on a dance floor and just "do your thing" in some ways is better. It probably allows more people who would have felt awkward in trying to conform to formal dance steps to join in.

Actually, formal ballroom dancing is becoming more and more popular throughout the world. While not the same thing as the social dancing you are talking about at least there are outlets.

 

[Guest]

Is this a sign of the decline of romance in our society, or am I just being a sentimental old man about this?

I thought there was a resurgence of dance technique in this generation with the popularity of swing and salsa bands. Maybe it only appeals to a few. Those "Kaki pant" dancing adds are my favorite. I'd love to be able to dance like that. I wouldn't mind a waltz now and then but give me something hot like jitterbug or swing or salsa! Wait, let me get my back brace on, okay, who wants to dance?

 

[Earthgoddess]

Swing Dance anyone?

Since I was a movement theatre major in college we learned all the traditional dances-I love the fox trot and the tango. Being of Irish descent I took Irish Dance Lessons all through Catholic school-a RiverDancer I am not...but I will be joining a Morris Men Dance Group in the fall. I am dying to learn how to swing dance-I used to jitterbug, my parents taught me and I loved how complicated it was-I even won a contest at the opening of the film "DINER"-I hate todays dances-too much like sex with your clothes on-not that sex is bad but it gets boring what with all that grinding regardless of the song. Since my figure is zaftig I think the 1940's dresses look best and since my hubbby looks quite All American military I thought we'd look great swing dancing...My hubby has danced with me once in the 13 years I have known him-not a promising start. His style of dance comes from the mosh pits in Germany-not anything I want to pursue. I may end up Morris dancing solo and pusuing swing lessons alone too-oh well.

 

[Guest]

Re: Swing Dance anyone?

Since my figure is zaftig I think the 1940's dresses look best and since my hubbby looks quite All American military I thought we'd look great swing dancing...well.

I have to ask EG, what is zaftig?

 

[Gingersnap]

Ripe and beautiful is the common translation

 

[CreamyLady]

When I was young, and not quite as uncoordinated as I am now, we didn't have dancing lessons because they cost money, and we just didn't have any to spare.

Later, when I acquired the nickname "Grace Agile" for my propensity to trip and fall over nothing, I decided I'd better not push my luck.

My daughter can dance beautifully, though. She had lessons, and has incredible grace. She's 6'2" tall; I hope she can someday find a suitable partner.

 

[Gingersnap]

My personal preference in dancing would be looking in each others eyes while we moved together to the song playing in my head. My arms around him and crossed behind his neck as his leg between mine directs me. You know "slow dancing swaying to the music". I don't even like that song but it fits that blink in time...... Oops sorry guys I think I just went off again.

 

[Gingersnap]

Hey WH I never thought the polka was a romantic dance just a lot of fun, but I sure do think salsa is hot..... It is so much fun and even if you arent very good the lessons are fun. Go on with your hot self and get up and dance. I just don't believe you lack rhythm. Man I know you got it we all do. I came into this world kickin it and I am going out dancing!

[Edited by Gingersnap on 06-25-2000 at 08:35 AM]

 

[Weird Harold]

Hey WH I never thought the polka was a romantic dance just a lot of fun, but I sure do think salsa is hot..... It is so much fun and even if you arent very good the lessons are fun.

The polka is not as romantic as a waltz or minuet, but it is more romantic than 'dry humping while music is playing.' I've not seen much salsa dancing (unless you count the tango) but what I've seen is indeed hot. Salsa seems to be a style of dancing that carries on the fine tradition of latin sensuality that made the tango so scandalous when it was first introduced to the US.

The Polka was mentioned because it was featured in the ad that prompted this thread, not for it's innate romance. The romantic element there is that it's a dance that requires skill and coordination with your partner, not to mention you actually have to touch your partner.

Go on with your hot self and get up and dance.

Sorry, I haven't danced sober since my senior prom, (1968) and I haven't been drunk enough to dance for over twenty years.

I just don't believe you lack rhythm. Man I know you got it we all do.

When it comes to anything more complicated than the Twist, I suffer from "The caterpillar's dilemma" and can't keep track of the rhythm and my feet at the same time. (It's also known as not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time.)

 

[Endlessly]

I know how to polka, jitterbug, swing, two-step, waltz, tango, salsa..

Didn't say I was good at any of it though. *LOL*

I -adore- dancing. I'm not that great-- my last few guys have been able to dance circles around me, not that they tried. Why, you ask? Because, as was stated, we'd get out on the dance floor and do the usual modern-day dance.

I believe the technical term you're looking for, Weirdo my friend, is 'Clothed dry-hump?' Sort of like what non-fixed dogs do to your friends' legs at inoppertune moments?

But even today's dancing-- when partnerless, which sadly enough is the way I'm used to dancing, and do most often-- can be fun and uplifting. Close your eyes and move to the music.. Let your body do what it feels.

I think part of the problem might be the music itself-- even though I adore it, when was the last time, say, whitney houston wrote a song that was great to waltz to?

 

[Weird Harold]

I know how to polka, jitterbug, swing, two-step, waltz, tango, salsa..

Didn't say I was good at any of it though. *LOL*

Where did you learn and why?

That's really one of the things I wondered about when I saw the dancers in the ad. I know it's not considered 'relevant' to teach dancing in public schools anymore.

I believe the technical term you're looking for, Weirdo my friend, is 'Clothed dry-hump?' Sort of like what non-fixed dogs do to your friends' legs at inoppertune moments?

I worded it the way I did, because I see a lot of what passes for 'slow dancing' that bears no relationship to the music playing.

I think part of the problem might be the music itself-- even though I adore it, when was the last time, say, whitney houston wrote a song that was great to waltz to?

A very good point as far a 'Pop Music' is concerned. There are some country, jazz, and blues stuff that is danceable. Waltz time isn't a very popular meter for music today, but I do hear it every one in a while. (I seldom pay much attention to who wrote or sings what I hear on the radio, if it's even mentioned.) Of course, Nobody has written any really good waltzes since Strauss.

 

[BeautyBabe]

I can (sort of) waltz - my dad tried teaching me as a kid.

Being Scottish, though, we were regularly taught Scottish dances such as the Gay Gordons and the Dashing White Seargent at primary school. (Back me up on this please, Roger, no one'll believe names like that!) Whether or not I could do them now, though...depends on the partner, I guess. Anyone fancy helping?

 

[Earthgoddess]

Gingersnap I think I love you

Gingersnap I really love your definition-to me it means full,curvy and Rubenesque...gotta love your word-ripe...smiles...big happy zaftig smiles

 

[Endlessly]

Where'd I learn? From my mother, dance studios, theatrical workshops.

Why? Because I love to dance, it looked like fun, and dancing comes in handy in musical theatre.

 

[April]

I would love to learn to dance. But I'm afraid of making a fool of myself, or hurting someone. Probably me. LOL

 

[Skibum]

I loved it back when dancing was an excuse to hold a woman in your arms as you swayed to the music. Now I can't get my wife to go out dancing at all. We used to be pretty good together. Or maybe she made me look good.

[Edited by Skibum on 06-25-2000 at 08:30 PM]

 

[Triatic]

I'm a young'un (comparitively speaking), but I have picked up a little knowledge of waltz, swing, and polka (that last from a Finnish wedding. Whew). I think that there is somewhat of a dearth of old-style romanticism in the world today - probably that's the cause of the swing revival. Nothin's gone forever.

 

[Whispersecret]

I think that we have lost something great in dancing the "old-fashioned" way.

Like skibum said, a man could hold a woman in his arms without the dance becoming a "clothed dry hump", as others described it. There is a basic human need to be touched, and dancing today doesn't fulfill that, unless you count slow dances. But today, those are pretty much reserved for people who are married, serious, or probably going to have sex with each other later that night. Also, in my mind, shifting your weight from foot to foot to the beat is not dancing. It's swaying. Huge difference.

We've also lost that sense of community that comes from everyone knowing and doing a dance together as a group. If you've ever danced the waltz, polka, etc., you know what I'm talking about. There's a connection you feel with everyone else when you're all moving together to music.

Lastly, sweeping dances set to flowing, lyrical music have a romance all their own. From my point of view as a woman, there is nothing that can compare to having a man sweep me off my feet onto a polished wood dance floor in preparation for a waltz. He leads; I follow. It's thrilling to abandon all control and trust him to guide me across the dance floor with the firm guidance of his hand on my waist. The poetic music of the waltz flows through my body until I feel like there's nothing else in the world except me and him. <stares off into the distance and sighs>

Yes, Weird Harold, I think that our society is lacking in romance. I think that gentlemanly grace is not something that is greatly admired any longer. I doubt you'd find many young men like you who wish they could dance like Fred Astaire. Young men who possess that type of grace are often labeled as gay, whether they are or not. Look at male figure skaters--the modern day equivalent to Astaire and Kelly. Do you think there are a lot of young men out there wishing they could skate like Kurt Browning? Nope.

Perhaps my soul would belong better in another era. Every time I see people waltz in a movie, I wish I could be transported there. Remember when Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner (sp?) waltzed to "Shall We Dance?" after the banquet in "The King and I"? That entire song was dedicated to the romance of men and women dancing together. If you can watch that scene and listen to that music and not want to dance like that, then I think you must be romantically challenged. I'm sure there are people who disagree with me, but that's my take on it.

 

[CurlyGirly]

I am a youngun(22), but we had to learn how to ballroom dance in elementary school. I remember having to get all dressed up and we learned how to all sorts of different dances. But that was oh so long ago.

Recently, I was watching a ballroom dancing competition on TV. It was just lovely, and made me long to live in a more romantic world.

I can polka, square dance, and do the madison but I would give anything just to learn how to waltz. <le sigh>

 

[SimplySouthern]

To me...nothing is more romantic than a man willing to dance with you. It doesn't matter if he CAN dance, only that he WILL dance...for you. The most romantic date I have ever had was one where he and I ended up at "the lookout". Just like you see in a movie, he turned up the CD player (showing my young age here) with some oldies and led me by the hand out of the car to slow dance. What a man...too bad he turned out to be such a whiner!