Dances can be classified into three categories that not very many people go into. There are not many that can define their particular dance into one of these categories, - the Fad, Novelty and the Standard dances. And these dances generally adhere to an age level. The Fads are usually with the younger (under thirty), the Novelty with the slightly older and the Standard with the over forty, Fad dances are usually picked up by the younger folk who can get interested very easily, into anything never done before. These were also called "dance crazes."
“Social dancers believe they should be faithful in the small things
they do because it is in them that their strength lies.”
At one time some fad dances lasted a full decade. In the early part of the last century, you could have a new one every month. Dancing style fads have for some centuries been a part of social dancing. Sometimes gliding smoothly into tradition after their "newness" has faded, and sometimes simply fading away into oblivion, as other new fads would appear. This has happened even before the evolving partner dances set in and will continue in the future. The Novelty dances would usually last a little longer but also eventually died down as other dances would appear.
However, many novelty dances have remained even after they have become obsolete. How about the Polka? Just good fun. How about the Twist? Still around now and then. I expect the "Macarena" to surface one of these days. Our Dance world! Then the very good ones remain on much more solid ground. The decisions are made by older people with some decades of dancing experience. These "Standards" have also been helped along by the disciplines, though some still carry dances that are now clearly obsolete in recreational dancing. Viennese Waltz, terrific, beautiful back in the day of the Big Bands and the Big Ballrooms. This is the 21st century.
“Social dancers believe they should be faithful in the small things
they do because it is in them that their strength lies.”
At one time some fad dances lasted a full decade. In the early part of the last century, you could have a new one every month. Dancing style fads have for some centuries been a part of social dancing. Sometimes gliding smoothly into tradition after their "newness" has faded, and sometimes simply fading away into oblivion, as other new fads would appear. This has happened even before the evolving partner dances set in and will continue in the future. The Novelty dances would usually last a little longer but also eventually died down as other dances would appear.
"The Music Of Hawaii" by Melveen Leed
However, many novelty dances have remained even after they have become obsolete. How about the Polka? Just good fun. How about the Twist? Still around now and then. I expect the "Macarena" to surface one of these days. Our Dance world! Then the very good ones remain on much more solid ground. The decisions are made by older people with some decades of dancing experience. These "Standards" have also been helped along by the disciplines, though some still carry dances that are now clearly obsolete in recreational dancing. Viennese Waltz, terrific, beautiful back in the day of the Big Bands and the Big Ballrooms. This is the 21st century.
"Social dancers believe that no great dancer ever complained
of want of opportunities."
of want of opportunities."
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