Saturday, February 13, 2010

Dances for a New World

One of bosker's recent posts as well as a previous comment he made about ballroom dancing being hedonistic got me, and I hope I don't offend, kind of laughing.

He's not the first, and I'm sure he won't be the last, person I've talked to who is all, "Bleh, ballroom... I'm going to go dance at a club."

In fact, I think O-Mo was the first person I talked to who said something similar.

I'm not exactly sure I follow the line of thinking... it seems... quite backwards.

I mean, dancing to entertain = hedonism, but dancing at a club to attract some sexy-time = just having fun?

... reeeally? ...

(I'm not singling boskers out; again, I've talked to several people who've said pretty much the same thing... and I'm calling you all out.)

3 comments:

  1. Wait wait wait...I don't like dancing in general, for myself (especially clubbing), but I've told you on several occasions I enjoy watching dance. I'd much rather watch ballroom or modern dance performances than go clubbing. And I used to like country swing, jazz swing, and certain ballroom, but I got burned out after taking a university class. :-)

    I'd totally learn to dance with a partner, but I still wouldn't want to go clubbing.

    There. I feel better having the truth out there. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't take back my words. I think any dancing is strange. That's why it's hard to get myself to do it.

    It's not like I hate ballroom. Along with saying that it doesn't interest me, I explained that I'm completely ignorant when it comes to anything about dancing. So, I hope you didn't take anything personally. It's just a personal problem I have.

    I think I also associate dancing with being feminine and have had a wall built up since childhood. That may stem from the fact that no male family members dance. Also, culturally, where I grew up, dancing was very much a female art.

    I was teased once for being a good dancer in elementary school. Ever since then I stopped dancing. Exact same thing with singing. I was teased by a friend that I sounded like a girl when I sang. I haven't had the courage to sing until this semester--almost 12 years later!

    So keep in mind that I may change my mind about dancing (and maybe even ballroom dancing) as I work to break down barriers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. What I'm referring to is the way that people are more hesitant to try ballroom dance than to go dance at a club.

    As I think about it, though, I realize that it's probably more because club "dancing" doesn't require any sort of technique, really, whereas ballroom is a skill (even if you come by it naturally, there's a *lot* to learn and remember and rehearse).

    So, I do stand rather presumptuous, having not really thought it out completely.

    Granted, I still am a little unfamiliar with why someone would be more willing to risk looking foolish trying to attract someone than trying to learn a new skill... but maybe that's why I'm almost 27, never been kissed, but holder of a hodgepodge of decent skills (such as ballroom dance)--of which I am very found, don't get me wrong; I'm not complaining in any way...

    Maybe instead of rolling my eyes and silently laughing, though, I should be taking notes? Heh.

    Then again, I think I would rather have a more romantic story to tell my children as to how I met their other dad.

    --

    But as far as the whole negative stigma for male dancers, I understand, 100%. It's the whole reason why I didn't actually major in Ballroom (which probably would have made BYU bearable).

    One of my Academy's goals is to rid dance of that "predominantly feminine" air.

    After all, dance takes a lot of strength, skill, and (for Ballroom, especially) hetero passion.

    ReplyDelete