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Sunday, April 12, 2020

Dance and Hope

Now that we are staying home on Oahu more instead of dancing we can review what we know and perhaps change some of our perspectives. What Is Ballroom dancing ? We know that it includes a wide range of social and competitive partner dances, derived from such various traditions as formal Victorian dancing, contemporary Latin dancing, and American jazz and swing dances. As we have continued to add dances to our repertoire, we find it necessary to divide the individual dances, under the larger Ballroom family. The many dance styles that are included in this umbrella term are further broken down into International, American styles and of course our Social Dancing subcategories.

"Social dancers believe that if we are to dream, the flattering of hope
is cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair."


Each of these groups have their own techniques and stylistic preferences which are discussed in each style's introductory set of instructions in the corresponding discipline. On Oahu we have none in Social Dancing. The dances offered in the disciplines include Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Merengue, Waltz, Tango, Jive, Foxtrot, Quick Step, Viennese Waltz, Paso Doble and Samba. It should be noted that there are many dances also done "outside" the competitive and social Ballroom dance world, in many cases with substantial difference in technique, styling, and approach.

 "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by Bruddah Iz

Patience, the time will come again.

Those that have never partner danced before, can be impressed with the organized approach offered by this system of dance, allowing anyone to become socially proficient at many styles in a relatively short time! If you like the idea of learning routines with a partner, and are interested in competition, you may also be attracted to the opportunities Ballroom dance has to offer. Finally, if what anyone is looking for is exposure to the graceful moving of the body to your favorite music, this can open up a whole new world of experience.

"Social Dancers know that hope means hoping, even when things seem hopeless."

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