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Introduction to Dancing
            for the Average Person

(An early draft document, changes gladly accepted)

There's no one web site that gives an intro into the different types of dance.

I'll give my perspective on the general types:
 

• performing arts : ballet, jazz, tap, ballroom etc..
• social: Country/western, swing, ballroom
• folk: square dance, contra dance (old country)

First, many sources force a classification thats no longer applicable.  For example, Country/western used to be 'folk' as is square. Some dance types cross boundaries.  For example, ballroom can be very social, or competitive.  Country/western includes partner and line dance. Folk also includes: Irish, clogging, English country, polka, Round Dance, Cajun and many others.   So keep an open mind.

Your library may have books or tapes on the various types. Beware that any of those present a narrow view of a topic. Some are downright bad - they try to get you into a studio to pay mucho bucks.  As of this date (12/2001), the best tapes are still available for those who teach and produce, and are not available at K-Mart or your library.  If you look around, you can find them-
see the dance links above!

Today, social dance has returned as an "in" activity. Country/Western has evolved from folk to a very sophisticated social. Ballroom is also included. A subtopic in each is swing, jitterbug, West Coast Swing, and Hustle.

Ask yourself the following: Do you want line dances (generally non-partner doing patterns) or do you want partner dances? Square dance is an interesting combination, and involves a "caller", and is popular among the older crowd, and rural middle america.
 

HOW TO HOST (or teach) A DANCE

For social dance lessons in general, you should have a reasonable boom box, CLEAN smooth non-stick floor (but not "icy slick"), leather sole shoes (for the right traction), and enough room. The instructor should be

1) likeable by all
2) know the dance
3) have the proper music.

You WILL need to find social dancing in your area, and attend to discover what it is - but each hosted dance has it's 'theme',. After all, the whole intent is to enjoy the skills of the feet gliding across the floor with music and socially interacting with other people. Having FUN is #1. Period. Watching a video tape or studying Betty Whites book can't really help there.

For your reference, Country/Western includes: Two step, shuffle (polka), waltz, swing, West Coast Swing, Cha cha (country style), Triple two-step, line dances interspersed with partner dances.

Ballroom includes: Cha cha cha, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Waltz, Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Jitterbug (swing), Samba, Hustle, Tango, and many more.

Personal opinion: Country/Western gets you going much quicker with less picky technique. And is more informal. Ballroom instructors are often associated with studios, and often it takes 2-3 years or more to master the darn "details" of the technique to do BASIC dance!! Bummer..

I've done 90% of the above at various levels. Country/Western is still the most fun and my favorite. It is my experience, though, that a womans preference is Ballroom or ballet, or tap.
If a young lady decides to sponsor a dance, she should ask herself this: "Do you want boys to attend"? If so, don't do the ballroom, or ballet or jazz or tap. -- Country is better, or perhaps square dance, where equality in the 'square' and having a "leader" (Caller) is mandatory.

If you want to try line dances, or round dance, they are "pattern dances". As such, it's possible to write out the pattern. Thousands are available on Internet. Understanding what they wrote is another issue!!

COST

I did mention equipment. As far as cost, suppose a part time 'outside' instructor earns $25/hour. Suppose you have 20 students. The cost for 1 hour would be a little more than $1 per student. Suppose the istructor requires a 2 hour minimum, or $50/hour? (on site visitation is more expensive then working in an office). The cost rises to about $2.

Suppose you rent a VFW hall for $300 for an evening, hire an instructor for $50, and a DJ for $100? If you expect 100 students for a combo lesson and dance.....well, you can add that up.

Dance can significantly increase self-esteem, confidence, social skills, and help those who are very shy to learn to interact. Trust me.. most students have ALL those problems even if it doesn't always show. It's also aerobically correct. It works for those that can't run long distance, play football or do gymnastics.

Dances held at "dance halls" with a bar, or at bars with a dance floor can range in
cost from free to $15 cover. $2 - $8 is a medium. Dances held in rental halls often
run $5 - $15, and it's BYOB.
 

This page is owned by Walt Smith, proprietor, engineer, dancer, and chief bottle washer.

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