Basic

By Jonathan Chang, Pearlridge.

"Now it is your turn to dance and our turn to laugh." Old joke, when signing off, by comedians in the old days. It was meant as a joke, but of course since not many in the night club circuits were serious about dancing and did not know how to dance, to watch them was well, funny.

"So fortunate, that my life is constantly under construction.

There is always something to improve."

However the dance craze began before the war and grew to huge ballrooms of dancers and Big Band music. And the decline began in the fifties with the introduction of rock and roll and disco solo dancing. On Oahu dancing caught up in the late fifties in spite of rock and roll and disco. Dance Clubs evolved from the original Aiea Ballroom Dance Club and there began a series of spin offs which still continue.

"Til I Waltz Again With You" by Theresa Brewer

And they all taught the prescribed movements in the American Style of dance used by the Arthur Murray School. The results are that some movements are looked upon as Waltz movement or Rumba movement but not as a dance movement on its own that can be applied to any other dance. You can move to music anyway you want and no one has a patent on any movement.

Others have gone over that. The Basic step is what usually determines what the "trendy" young go for and then perhaps by the experienced Social Dancer. Of course, nowadays, the young will accept anything just so long as it is new. With the thousands in profits the hype can make it go on twice as long as necessary.

The great appeal of any dance was in the Basic Step with the dancers constantly moving from and returning to the Basic. With a new dance partner you can dance the basic while you introduce each other or just say "hello, haven't seen you in a long time." This while feeling the music as you move.

"Walk With Me Through Paradise" by Melveen Leed

From there in all dances the lead can go forward three patterns and basic. Or backwards (watch it!) three patterns and basic. Or turn left several times and basic. Or and turn right several times and basic. And if it is "your" song, one that you really liked, then you will certainly enjoy it and your partner too. Trick moves are for OP (other people.)

And then there is the Cross Body Movement, very basic. A Rumba movement? Naw, Mambo? Naw I think it is Salsa because they dance it there. Ha! Think that one over.