Cultural Dancing

By Robert Imamoto, Niu Valley

Has our type of Cultural dancing ever been defined? I have read some interpretations but most differ in one way or another. Some have different terminology for more or less the same thing. For us on the islands and many on the mainland, Universal, or Cultural dancing means merely that you will move to the music whichever way you feel. However there are some standards which are usually good natural basics from the American style of dance.

"To be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not able to say it."

No one has the authority to tell you whether it is right or wrong. Opinions, of course count, but that is a horse of a different color. There are no authorities in Cultural dancing requiring your thumb and forefinger --- 0r the hand and arm -- at so many degrees from the "wall" -- or the "center." No one really worries about "toe," or "heel" or the entire foot. I move it as I feel it, not as you feel it.

The dances that are to be seen require judgement even if not by experts. And there is an increasingly large group developing that are strictly spectators. They want to see and they will judge. If they are paying then they must be pleased or no money, Sonny.

"Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung

Cultural dancing recognizes that even if not condoned, American, Country or International style, are accepted as other peoples styles. No hu hu. Let's go on to more important things, like getting the most pleasure from our favorite music by moving to it in our fashion. From the Line dancers, many Cultural dance people are beginning to recognize the value of the Playlist.

At the moment, from what I read about of the Mainland and what I see on Oahu, the best music and dances are the ones that have been with us for 50 or 60 years. There are many more accepted "Classics" from that period than any other. Latin is very dominant, specially in the young peoples dances. Salsa, Reggeaton, Bachata, Zouk and now Zumba all from the Caribbean basin. And even accepted better if it is new. I think the Lambada lasted almost ten years.

In the large sense, dance has possessed a peculiar value as a method of national education.

On Oahu we already have the music partially constructed. Most dance clubs will go for more Latin than European. International will go for more European than Latin. The night clubs will go for more Latin. Of course, playing Latin music has become increasingly difficult and other substitutes are being used.

And if we can't find more places where we can dance without too much
interference from the know-it-alls, we shall dance in the streets.

The ideal night club in my opinion will feature, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Salsa, Samba, Tango. They will also feature Jive to liven things up and Waltz to relax and listen to some of the best music ever created. Most people do not know that the Waltz is very much played in Latin countries and there have been many Latin composers of Waltz for a couple of centuries.

We should take a good look at our dance environment and what we can enjoy the best. And realize that we do not have many DUIs in our dance groups.