Social?

By Jerome Malagapo, Kalihi

Street Dance has carried over into Social dancing and most of it is no longer learned in the streets. A century ago, much of it on Oahu had been learned in house parties and local night clubs. And for a person to learn, he or she had to be around friends. It was strictly a social affair. It became somewhat uncomfortable to learn a partner dance if they were accustomed to free dancing in a singular fashion. So the hold became important in the beginning. The general rule was the partners stand about six inches apart

"Social dancers can feel a release of adrenaline when somethings did not work

and suddenly they are moving to the music just right."

Later on, it just evolved naturally. Good posture and a firm hold are the two most important features in social dance. A couple will gradually phase into moving as one, striving for a smooth and relaxed motion across the floor. Those that had taken advantage of line dancing already had an appreciation of the music and the many steps and movements to each style of music. So partner dancing becomes the learning of good hold position, and learning the lead and follow. Yes, there is a slight difference in each one of those sectors.

"Cool Water" ... Vaughn Monroe

My neice, Yvonne, my cousin, Juanita and my cousin, Stella

However, you will have good and bad examples all around you. Take a good look, you can learn a lot from just looking. One looks sloppy, you don't want to do. One looks nice, you want to do. That is cultural dancing. An added feature for learning is at one of your local social dance clubs. Besides learning new movements, you will be practicing your "hold," and you will both get better and more relaxed with time. Meeting new people is icing on the cake and you will find the whole process enjoyable as you progress from beginner to intermediate.

You will realize that this is "biggah than the bode of us."