Cultural Dancing

By Harold Lively, Enchanted Lake

There are many on Oahu who think that wriggling like a frightened worm is dancing, others know that holding your partner and moving together can be quite blissful, and that perhaps it is real dancing. Not only is real partner dancing a pleasure, it also is very good for one's general fitness. One may choose dances through an evening that are of a speed and duration that accommodate one's own fitness level, and keep all the joints moving that otherwise are inclined to seize up somewhat in older folk.

"Of course we should think it is healthy to speak the truth,

but we must be who we are, and be proud of that"

This kind of dancing comes in two main styles on Oahu. American and International and there is a Night Club style based on the American style of dance. The specialties also have their own rules. Tango, Salsa, Country and Line Dancing. These are all done to music of various tempos and rhythms. Every different dance has its own character, such as the seductive Rumba, the cheerful Cha Cha Cha, and the romantic Waltz.

"Riders On The Storm" by the Doors

The American and the International are considered disciplines and for a reason. They have a set of strict rules which with good reason are used in judging the competitions. The dances can and are grouped by the social dancers into the American and British, such as the Waltzes (fast and slow), the Slow Foxtrot and the Quickstep. and may include the Paso Doble as being European. These have evolved over several hundred years from the dancing done originally in the royal courts of Europe, and still to this day have a regal upright deportment. These dances progress around the room counterclockwise.

"Dancers may say that in dancing we can make a world where we can think, things are done morally, done democratically, done honestly."