Most people in the USA have "2 left feet". We export our culture, but we can't dance to save our butts. South America is way ahead of us. Gosh, the rhumba, cha-cha, samba, tango, merinque, bossa nova, etc. The list goes on.

The best we could come up with was a 6 count "jitterbug" and an 8 count "lindy", and that was a long time ago. Even Austria has the "Landler".

Line dancing, the twist, the macarena, and hip-hop are not real dancing. Real dancing is when you hold your partner and look at him/her.

Dancing is good for the country. George Washington used to dance all weekend. At his inauguration, George Bush II danced a total of 1 1/4 minutes (30 seconds with his wife, and 45 seconds with his daughter). When the greek god Priapus educated the warrior god Mars/Ares, the first thing he taught him was dancing.

Dancing is good for the mind. It's mathmatical. You are always counting. It's good for the body, too.

Are you a typical "non-dancer"? Do you think your soul likes this?

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Answers

My wife and I took dancing lessons every day on a cruise ship in the Carribean in 1995 and danced our asses off every night. Mainly ballroom (waltz, foxtrot), Latin (rhumba, salsa, bossa nova, etc.) and some line dances thown in just because. It was a blast, and we occasionally still go out specifically to dance. My opinion is there are few things that make a man feel more masculine than leading a lady in "real dancing" (to quote Joseph).

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

I have two left feet - but I think it's also a generational thing; my parents know how to do all the standard steps (waltz, foxtrot etc). With the exception of disco (ick), the generations from babyboomers on down weren't taught how to dance with a partner. Could explain the recent renewed interest in ballroom/latin dancing (although I HATE watching competitive dancing; it looks too forced and no one looks like they're really enjoying themselves, and the costumes, well...).

I wouldn't say that hip-hop isn't dancing - it's just solo, that's all. There's more thought involved when you have to match your steps against a partner.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Speak for yourself. I'm a dance, dance, dance, dance dancing machine, Watch me get down!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

I danced a lot on Saturday night and into sunday morning. It was fun and it was with a partner but I wasn't able to match her steps. I did my own. I don't think it was ballroom dancing because they played techno music and the 'ballroom' had a lot of laser lights. I didn't count my steps either. I'll have to try this next time but I think people might look at me starngely if I try it at that place. Then again, they were already looking at me strangely. Hmmm.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Ballroom Dance classes = torture when you're twelve. I was scarred, haven't had any interest in repeating the experience as an adult.

I hold my own, though, when I have to dance.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

That's right Kate, we were not taught. When I was in high school, the hit tune was "Hang on Sloopy" by the McCoys. Line Dancing. From there, it split off into Motown (more line dancing) and psychedelia (freestyle).

We used to watch American Bandstand as little kids. They did a jitterbug, and it looked like a lot of fun. Years later, I took a few lessons at an adult school. We learned the 6 count jitterbug. (the basic swing dance). We practiced to Dion's "The Wanderer" and Glenn Millers "String of Pearls". It is a lot of fun; more fun than line dancing IMHO. Sorry I didn't learn sooner.

Philly is good. We have swing, cajun/zydeco, English country, and contra. All "hold your partner" type, and all fun. I can't get into ballroom, but I never say never.

Luchina, could you elaborate?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

You haven't been out here to San Diego Joseph. We've got West Coast swing clubs out your ass. East Coast swing. Irish dance clubs. Tons of line dancing and a country Western dance studio whose owners just won the world championship. Plus, any other kind of dance that tickles your fancy. I haven't seen any clogging yet from back home, but it is probably out here too.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

I was kidding. I can salsa and merengue and cumbia and all that, but I'm Mexican-American, so no great surprise there. In terms of hip- hop, I'm a bit rhythm-impaired. I also disagree that line-dancing and hip-hop aren't "real" dancing. The people in the country-western places around here or the street hip-hop performers in Detroit are pretty amazing and not one dance lesson in their lives.

It's funny that you mention the math and counting. My parents used to part the room all the time (they're divorced, hence the past tense) and they never did any counting in their head. I'm convinced the real reason my mom stayed married to my dad so long was so she'd have her permanent dance partner. Anyone can learn steps, not everyone can really dance. They can dance.

I took swing lessons for a bit, but Mike's a foot taller than I am and we looked like idiots. Plus he's too conservative, he thinks dancing is for wimmin. Real men don't dance, according to him.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Ok Luchina, point well taken. But until the moves get into the subconscious and the "soul" can do the talking, you have to count. This takes practice and repetition.

I dare you to try "English Country" or "Contra" and not "count" No, I double dare you?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Luchina, was that YOU I saw getting fun-kay at Polyesters the other night?????

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Don't hate me just because you can't handle my groove, Shelly. Now outta my way while I back my thang up.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Dude, I'm scared of you! I saw you pulling all your Tae-Bo moves on the dance floor.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Thanks for all of your responses folks.

Most American popular music has it's roots in dance music. The notion of "cutting loose" on Saturday night after a hard week is as old as the hills. There are many dance styles and many songs. But at the end of the day, it's all about "freeing up the soul" and "feeling alive". People are attracted to this.

As an amatuer musician and longtime participant in American popular culture, I tend to judge popular music in terms "danceability" and "foolish love lyrics". Popular music needs both to get it's job done. Again, that job is to "make people feel alive".

Thanks for your input on what I consider a "common element in everybody".

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Joseph, have you ever watched that show that used to be on TNN that was basically a country version of Dance Fever? They'd put cameras in a honky tonk and show people line dancing all afternoon. Then they'd have a dance contest. I'm not sure it's on anymore, but it was pretty funny (and was the only reason to watch TNN, other than the Dukes of Hazzard reruns) Some of the country partner dancing is as complicated as anything else. Line dancing:hmmmm. I can kind of see your point when you're talking basic, silly stuff, but if you've ever tried to do the 18 step with 500 other people, it is actually pretty hard. I can't believe that a.) I just defended linedancing and b.) admitted to others that I've actually done it.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

I like line dancing for the same reason I like karaoke - it's just as funny to be really bad at it.

I can't dance, but I do every chance I get. I don't dance to techno, but we go see jam bands quite frequently, and I dance around to them. I guess it's a style a' la Woodstock, but it's not good and it's not pretty.

I give a shit. When everyone is all crowded together, it's not like they can see your moves. And I tried (and tried and tried) to learn to swing dance, but I can't get even the basic steps down. I'll stick with the stoner dance.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Hi Gardanna. I used to watch that show in motel rooms on my trips to New York State (I don't have cable). I liked it. They were doing West Coast Swing.

West Coast Swing is the cadillac of swing dance. It's also the most versatile. I can do the basic with a few turns and passes, but not much more. It's hard to learn and even harder to find partners. For some reason, the "kewlness" of the dancers grows exponentially with their ability at West Coast swing. I guess it's lonely at the top. It's dying out in Philly, because I guess we're not that "kewl".

The rising star in Philly is the 8 count Lindy. I don't know it, but I intend to learn some of it this summer. Think- "Choo choo ch boggie" by Asleep At The Wheel. Ya know, like 23 skidoo, hep cat, yeah daddio, beat me daddy 8 to the bar, etc. It's supposed to be easier than West Coast.

C'mon summer, bring it on. I'm game. Let's bop.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

ha! I took a class in West Coast Swing! And in Beginning Country Western Dance. I took it with some friends when the big Swing trend hit Austin. We thought we'd be learning all the stuff like the Lindy and Foxtrot. It's not like that at all, but very fun. the CW dance class was all Polka, Waltzing and 2-step. I always wondered what was so hard about the 2-step. It is, after all, um, TWO STEPS, but there is an art to it. If by "art," you mean being able to make it around the dance floor without either running into the other dancers or tripping over backwards. Now, we can dance when we go hear live Western Swing bands like the Derailers, Don Walser, Ted Roddy, etc. And Asleep at the Wheel, if they're ever in town. I have a hard time convincing my out of state friends that this is fun, but it is.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

The two-step phase hit the Philly area in the early 80's. This was after "Urban Cowboy". The hit at the time was "Rainbow Stew" by Merle Haggard. The dance seems to have speeded up over the years. I don't like it as much now. I like it a little slower. Yeah, the ladies have to do backward most of time.

Austin? My high school friend moved to Austin around 1970. As far as I know, he is still there. We ask about him, but we don't hear much. He has never logged onto ClassMates.com. I can't find him online anywhere. He may even be dead. He is a good blues/rock guitarist. Word has it, he owns or used to own a music store out there. It is rummored that he played backup a few times for the late Stevie Ray Vaughn (sp?). His name is Danny Hawk. His bands in Trenton/Philly were "The Omens 5" and "High Tension Acres". If you ever run into any info on this guy, please forward it. We would love hear from him. My name and email is real. He knows me. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Hey, I think I found Danny. There is an Austin band called "Happy Valley" which lists Danny Hawk as a contributing Petal Steel player. It's probably him. I bet he still plays out live, and I bet he is very polished. If you ever see him, tell him I said Hi.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

When I was a teenager, I took lots of dance classes. My salsa/Afro- Caribbean-fusion teacher told me that moving your pelvis loosens your chakras.

Feel free to make as many jokes as you want out of that.

I never want to dance at first, but after I do, I'm always glad I did. I would normally rather just do karaoke or have sex, though.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

I get up and move to the music but most people wouldn't call it real dancing. I need to learn to move shake the booty more for the arobic benefit (yeah, right). But I do a mean Macarana, especially when I've hit the punch bowl full of fuzzy navels a few dozen times.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

What dancing really does is improve posture and add grace to normal movement. I notice it after a few nights on the dance floor. I slouch less and movement becomes more rhythmic and controlled. I feel better. My neck gets longer. This is true, dancers have long necks. Look at any ballerina.

I have not danced in a while. I dumped my last girlfriend, and she had a lot of friends at the dances. Ostracism, ouch, poor me, pig, bad man. I think the cooling off period it over, so the coast is clear. "Summer's here at the time is right for dancing........"

I don't know a thing about karaoke.

Sex is good when I can get it. The upside to getting older is that the "chains of love" don't bind nearly as much as they used to. Besides, after a few experiences I learned that love is anything but free.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Amen, Gwen. Singing and screwing beats the hell out of dancing any day in my book.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

Singing while screwing is the ultimate!!!

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001

Interesting thoughts.

I mean imagine doing it with Maria Maldaur while she's singing "It ain't the meat it's the motion.....that makes your mama wanna dance". Gee Gal, I'm gettin Cornfused. Shucks. LOL :-)

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2001