The Q&A Times - Is ballroom dancing popular?

Is ballroom dancing popular?
By Crystal Willoughby
Mar 1, 2009, 14:14

Answer: Yes, Ballroom dancing has become very popular over the last 7 years or so. In the early decades of the 20th century partnership dancing was the form of entertainment and amusement. Instead of heading for the movie theater young men and women would head for the dance halls. Many various styles of partnership dancing emerged from this time. Charleston, Big Band Swing, Balboa, Shag, and even our Country Western style dance. These American made dances are now our heritage. People would dance to find a love. People would dance for recreation or sport and eventually, people would dance for the love of the dance. Today, partnership dancing has made a huge comeback because people are tired of sitting at home by themselves watching TV. With the Internet, e-mail and texting, we as a generation have lost our ability to communicate. Dancing is a type of communication. When one person asks a question, they then wait for an answer. This is true also in dancing. On the dance floor the guy is the leader and the lady is the follower! Now wait a minute ladies! It isn�t as bad as it sounds! I love to have a man who knows what he is doing to lead me around that dance floor, and then easily sweep me off my feet in a low dip. It is amazing! As I was saying...The men lead and the ladies follow. Different than dancing by yourself, two people have to move together. This is the attraction for the current generation. To reconnect with people of the opposite sex and move to the music is a thrill! This is the new social skill to learn. To be able to keep rhythm in the feet and continue talking on the dance floor is an ability all modern men and women should have! Network Television has also helped the popularity of Ballroom dance. Shows like Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance have been big in other countries for years. Finally, the interest of these shows has made it to the U.S. The Television audience for these shows are huge! The interest is bigger now than ever. However, most of those people are still sitting on the couch watching the stars instead of being one. It is time to be the star yourself! There are so many ways to learn how to partnership dance. You can check out books and videos from your local library or buy them off the Internet. Some people are able to learn this way. Most people need to feel the dance and have it shown to them. This is hands on learning. This is the most successful way of learning. To learn this way, may I suggest an instructor. There are so called instructors at local recreation centers and workout gyms. Some of these might actually be decant teachers. However, you might have the same experience that I had when I went to one of these. The instructor said just do this...and proceeded to dance. That helped me very little. Unless an instructor is able to break down the steps and verbalize them, people are unable to learn. Try to find the most reputable instructors in your area. Usually these will be in an actual school or dance studio. Make sure to look around, not all instructors are equal. Ask about private lessons and group lessons and ask about specials that they may be promoting. So many dances to choose from and so much fun to be had. Make sure you find a great place to practice as well. And remember to always have a great time and meet some new people. Improve your social skills and your social life by being the suave dancer on the floor.