Dance Fort Collins

You might think that it’s “Old Fashioned” to hear the words “Dance Floor Etiquette”.  Maybe you picture a 1950′s prom with prim and proper dresses with big bows, thick glasses and bow ties.  Or, you think of Grandma and Grandpa at the local square dance.  While the idea of dance floor etiquette sounds old fashioned, consideration for yourself, your partner, and others never goes out of date.

Etiquette should be considered at public dance events, competitions during open floor, practice time at lessons in a studio or social dancing at the local honky tonk or speakeasy.

Dance Floor Etiquette: The Summary.

• Traveling dances stay to the outside of the floor in a counter-clockwise rotation.
• Stationary dances stay in the inside of the floor, towards the center.
• Watch where you are going.
• Try not to run into others.

Those are the basics for any dance floor!  Pretty simple.  Yet, in practice, seem much more difficult. 

Many times you may find people line dancing, doing Cha-Cha or Swing dances in the corners of the dance floors, creating a squeeze for traveling and stationary dances.  While they believe they are staying out of the way, they actually create more congestion on the dance floor!

 Typically, if you handle the first three bullet points mentioned above, the fourth will happen naturally.   Most people do not enjoy being hit  on the dance floor, or in general.  If you can prevent your partner or yourself from hitting someone else, do your best to try.  Accidents do happen, but awareness of yourself and partner always prevent simple accidents. 

Now, back to the 1950′s prom picture: imagine the white gloved finger pointing at you in warning: The golden rule is try to make it nice for everyone.

“Why does everyone only want to do West Coast Swing?” 
“How can people stand to do the same dance for hours on end and not get bored?”
“ Why are they so serious?”

Call it an addiction if you must.  West Coast Swing is a multi-faceted dance that has a sharper learning curve than many other dances.  It also allows one to incorporate style, moreso than other dances.  And lastly, because it can be done to so many different types of music, the dance is almost new for each dance.

Sharper Learning Curve:
There are a handful of basic moves in West Coast Swing, both 6 and 8 count moves.  Because the counts are changing, the moves can be modified, hijacked and syncopated, the dance can be difficult for a new dancer to learn.  In addition to footwork, connection is a large piece of West Coast Swing.  Without the rubber band effect, the dance may lose quality, which makes footwork harder to manage. 

Suggestion: start with the basic moves and build from the basic move, slowly.  Dance with individuals who understand timing and connection and will dance to your level, not above.

Style:
West Coast Swing lends itself to individual style.  Style comes from music, rhythm, connection, etc.  This eclectic dance can take on a smooth style for smoother jazz and blues, a funkier style for pop, funk and hip hop, or a humorous playful style through any type of dance.  The beauty of West Coast Swing and the reason dancers are not bored with the dance, is because of the styles that can be brought forth not only by themselves, but by the other dancers.

Try dancing your West Coast Swing to different types of music and tempos.  See what results come naturally to you through a change in music.  Maybe the syncopations change.  Maybe the rhythm in your body changes.  Maybe you feel new moves and styles that you normally would not hear.  Start with the basic movements and add on as you see fit!

Are you one of those people that loves to dance, but you hate going out by yourself?  If so, this blog is for you!

Tips to get you dancing when no one else wants to go:

1. Choose Wisely
   No, not your friends – your venue.  If you like to dance but others don’t (or they aren’t sure yet), pick a place that has some other attraction besides dancing: pool, live music, food, drink, karaoke, etc.  This will give you all an opportunity to do something fun.  Who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone out there who also likes to dance.
2. Ask Around
   You would be suprised at the people who like to dance, and you’d never guess that they do.  Math teachers, construction workers, computer geeks, horse trainers, doctors, lawyers and others – believe it or not they dance and they walk among us!  If you happen to get in a conversation with someone you know, ask if they like to dance.  You never know who will suprise you when you find out they dance.
3. Make a Date
   Whether your friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife doesn’t dance, try encouraging them to take a lesson with you sometime – just for a night of something else to do.  As so many of us get in our every day rut and our every day lives, we often look for something just a little bit out of the ordinary to go do.  Try a dance lesson – they’re fun, they’re frustrating, they’re something different to do. 
4. Just Go!
   As you become more confident (or frustrated with your non-dance acquiantances), you’ll soon find that if you want it bad enough, you’ll just go on your own.  Sometimes friends will go with you, sometimes they won’t.  Regardless – someone will be out there waiting to dance with you.
5. Ask For a Dance
   So you’ve gone out on your own and no one is there with you.  You don’t know anyone.  Scope out the territory - avoid breaking up marriages and long term relationships, but if you see someone who likes to dance, ask them to dance!  If you really just want to dance with no strings, make your point clear ahead of time to avoid any misconceptions.  “Hey, I just want to dance”.   You might suprise yourself with how many people out there just like to dance.