The Peripherals

In Cultural Dance, a Peripheral is somewhat like the relationships in Computers.  A device or unit that operates separately from the CPU but is connected to it, as a magnetic disk or tape unit or a printer. The main body of dancing in Hawaii is the cultural dancer with perhaps 60% of the action. The peripherals represent the other forty percent. Yes, these are only guesses and you are right. Your guess is as good as mine.

"The grand essentials of life are something to do, something to love, something to hope for."

During the last decade of the last century when the Ballroom decline began in our Dance World, mainly due to the exactness of the Internationals, the Peripherals began to emerge bigger and stronger.

The Swing Dancers were there first from way back. The more they saw Jive as the supposedly "correct" way to Swing, the more they coalesced into a group that enjoyed many of the different versions of Swinging out there. And they were the big developers of the West Coast Swing. When it comes to Swinging, the top one thousand dancers of this group could, without a doubt, out dance the number one Jive dancer at Blackpool.

 

"Heartbreak (It's Hurtin' Me)" by Jon Thomas

The Argentine Tango was the next Peripheral to coalesce. No one was going to even hint that their way was "incorrect." Even though, in Argentina and the rest of the world, the process was developing into ever more different styles.

What do they dance in Hawaii? I don't know. They could say something to the rest of us but it has become an elite world. There is no doubt about the top 1000 Argentine dancers around the world in comparison to number one at Blackpool.

How about Line Dancing? Also becoming a peripheral to assert their strength even though portions of it are becoming accepted as part and parcel of the cultural dance scene.

The entire scene seems to be controlled by women. Perhaps it has been the men's fault because it is evident that they need more men. So they are splintering into those that are die hard "Line Dancers" and those that dance line dancing as part of the social dance environment. Their best tool, the Playlist.

"The Old Lamp-Lighter" - Sammy Kaye

Of course, Salsa started out as one of the best and many attempts have been made to include them into the cultural dance environment but they remain aloof. As peripherals they are losing it because of the invasion of the other fads. The latest, bachata, - and zouk is right there waiting. In New York City all the big Salsa clubs have been fading and many have closed. And there are some that are opening again as, God Forbid, "Ballroom." Those people have been known to lead the way.

Then the Latin Division has sparks all over the place on Oahu. And many still think of the dance whereas it is in the music. Rumba-Bolero, in my estimation, is the most beautiful rhythm for the music and the dance. Cha-Cha-Cha the second greatest Latin rhythm ever invented. And of course, Latin Waltz, you can do your Samba footwork and you will be fine. That will certainly give us a base for the coming peripheral, "Latin." Add Brazilian Samba, Hawaiian Tango and a little Swing and you have it made in the Shade.

The Internationals are the most elite and difficult, to be accepted in their groups. Perhaps we can someday get a few Guest Authors to present their view point to the cultural dance public. There are many good people there with the right attitude. And of course the Club Dancers which have a bit of all the above including their own which is just beginning to be defined.

"Such A Night" - Elvis Presley

Most of the dancers in these peripherals will be in the bronze, or beginning levels, though twice the normal size. They will be "learning" the easiest, (about 30), most pleasant moves to their music. Moving to their favorite music in a social atmosphere will be their highest priority. The higher levels will be for OP (other people.)

Pub's Side Note: To see the slide show in Dancing in the Dark. You must double click the icon. Then when the entire photos appear, you must click "slideshow" in the upper left hand side. Used to be easier than this before they got the fancy programmers.