By Randall Tanaguchi, Nanakuli
Why do social dancing? Fish swim, birds fly, and I think social dancing offers the nearest equivalent satisfaction for humans. Furthermore, it is easier to get people together to meet and socialize when there is something this enjoyable to do. A good reason for the existence of our many dance clubs. Human beings are psychologically constructed so as to achieve fulfillment and satisfaction from dancing. They like to socialize and have fun as a couple. Even single people are grateful for the opportunity to be a couple with one other person even if for only one dance which is very predominant in our social dancing circles.
A really democratic dance club expects the dancers to be citizens responsible for their own choices, not subjects. However all dance clubs on Oahu are "Benevolent Oligarchies." People like it better if they can attend a social event in the role of adult citizens, not subjects.There was a large Viewer Class developing in the last century when the Internationals were at the height of their glory but it is getting smaller,. Still many dinner/dance meetings and concerts are social events where people attend as subjects and observers, not participants and citizens. Our smaller club dances can be where people can attend as citizens and participants, not subjects.
Of course, line dancing is a very pleasant diversion. As I get older, recreational dancing seems adult and civilized and feels like real dancing. Swing and Salsa seem more juvenile and feels much more like calisthenics than dancing. Furthermore, while you may be dancing in collaboration with each other, you are no longer dancing so much together as a couple.The dances typically done to rock, hip hop etc. seem infantile and dance tricks not quite civilized. Group dances can reduce people to being subjects, not citizens; some people find them degrading and humiliating. And of course, most are finding that social dancing can be fun and folk dances have existed for centuries.
Why do social dancing? Fish swim, birds fly, and I think social dancing offers the nearest equivalent satisfaction for humans. Furthermore, it is easier to get people together to meet and socialize when there is something this enjoyable to do. A good reason for the existence of our many dance clubs. Human beings are psychologically constructed so as to achieve fulfillment and satisfaction from dancing. They like to socialize and have fun as a couple. Even single people are grateful for the opportunity to be a couple with one other person even if for only one dance which is very predominant in our social dancing circles.
"Social dancing means we are aware of our own limitations and
the limitations of others – without prejudice or judgement."
A really democratic dance club expects the dancers to be citizens responsible for their own choices, not subjects. However all dance clubs on Oahu are "Benevolent Oligarchies." People like it better if they can attend a social event in the role of adult citizens, not subjects.There was a large Viewer Class developing in the last century when the Internationals were at the height of their glory but it is getting smaller,. Still many dinner/dance meetings and concerts are social events where people attend as subjects and observers, not participants and citizens. Our smaller club dances can be where people can attend as citizens and participants, not subjects.
"My Molokai Woman" by Willie K
Of course, line dancing is a very pleasant diversion. As I get older, recreational dancing seems adult and civilized and feels like real dancing. Swing and Salsa seem more juvenile and feels much more like calisthenics than dancing. Furthermore, while you may be dancing in collaboration with each other, you are no longer dancing so much together as a couple.The dances typically done to rock, hip hop etc. seem infantile and dance tricks not quite civilized. Group dances can reduce people to being subjects, not citizens; some people find them degrading and humiliating. And of course, most are finding that social dancing can be fun and folk dances have existed for centuries.
"Social Dancers believe that the person who says
they never told a lie - just told one."
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