Real dancing?
Written by Worth at 9:35 PM
Lafayette's prom was this weekend. I just want to know what happened to real dancing? When did the salsa and foxtrot give way to mindless booty shaking? I mean, don't get me wrong. I like getting out there and doing my own thing as much as the next person, but the type of dancing high schoolers do nowadays is not very artistic and is sometimes obscene. I went to governor's school two summers ago for German, and we took dance classes. At the dances we had every weekend, people would actually do stuff like the waltz and the cha cha. It was very tasteful and quite a refreshing change from the average high school formal. I understand that the music played at prom doesn't exactly lend well to ballroom dance, so I think it would be nice to have more of a variety. They could keep some rap but also include some Latin for salsa-ing and big band for swing dancing. This would have a lot of benefits, like reducing the simulated sex on the dance floor and preparing high schoolers for stuff like weddings and other functions. I know with my sister's wedding in 3 weeks, I'm going to make a fool of myself, at least until the DJ starts playing Nelly.
10 Notes -
you beat me to the post...couldn't agree with you more
they always play one fake swing song. :( only one.
and then my date can never swing dance.
:(
My banquets are just the opposite. I am Homeschooled and we have the Homeschool Colonial Ball each year around Christmas. It's a fun time, if just a bit lame. They hire a guy who specializes in colonial style dancing, and we get in lines and do they whole docey doe's and whatnot. People dress up in colonial garb, girls with hoop dresses guys with knickers. Some people dress up I should say, most the guys wear a regular suit, but most girls wear the colonial dresses. It's fun and all, and they have a time in between dances for a Waltz or two. Definitely enjoyable, but sometimes you just want to break into the robot, which is hard to do with old folk music.
Wow, that reminds me of when I used to be in the SCA (the Society for Creative Anachronism). During my freshman year, they held a banquet somewhere in CW, and we all dressed in authentic medieval attire and learned period dances. It was awesome.
Anyway, I definately agree that we need some variety on the dance floor. Unfortunately, not many people now are talented enough to salsa, swing or even do the Charleston. I know I'm not. I looked like a fool at prom, but I had fun. I guess that's all that matters.
when i was at governor's school, they also taught different dances, but only tango and swing. and it was always a relief when that song came.
and when you see real dancers dancing, even at something informal like prom, you're reminded of how dance (as expression) is supposed to be. It doesn't have to be real artistic or anything, but it can definitely operate higher than we normally let it.
I must agree with Kristin. Few, if any, are talented enough to handle things like Swing and Salsa, but the point is that we can all try. I personally had a blast trying to mimic what I understand Swing Dancing to look like. Did it matter to me, or my date, for that matter, that I looked like I was suffering from rhythmic seizures? Not in the least; it's much better than tossing myself into the fray, for the sake of...well, whatever the devil these kids do it for.
High school dances aren't really established as a time and place to dance. It's a social event for horny teens, really. Both my significant other and I chose to skip prom and interpretive dance to Beethoven on the beach at night. It was dramatic, expressive, and very fun. I guess anymore one needs a certain amount of deviance in order to bring back the true nature of dance.
Wow, that sounds like fun. Which Beethoven?
Well, I think we did the 9th Symphony, but I'm sure we hit Pathetique(3rd mov.) and maybe Tempest. I don't recall if I brought String Quartet no. 11(my favorite) that night. This has become a favorite pastime of ours, actually. Dance can be sophisticated and dramatic without lessons, silly and spontaneous while exceeding the age of twelve, and sensual and sexually charged without degrading grinding and such.
The thing to realize, though, is that each has it's place. Our interpretive dancing is a manifestation of the eccentric nature of our relationship, so it's done in our homes or on the beach during a special night. Waltzing, tangoing, swing dancing are all organized dances that are performed and maybe a ball or a salsa club or whatnot. And "backing it up"(Okay, that phrasing is taken from my employee handbook, which states that "backing it up" is forbidden at work) and that sort is a horny puberty-driven impersonal form of releasing suppressed sexual feelings, which means it should be at home where? That's right, in high school, where suppressed puberty-driven sexual desires find refuge.
Just Beethoven? Nothing else?
Dont't get me wrong. Beethoven is one of the most amazing composers I've encountered. As Anthony Burgess put it, "Everybody resents not being Beethoven." But just Beethoven?
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