A question too rarely asked!
Dance is one of the great popular art forms. Where there is music, there is dance–or ought to be. To dance in public involves a twofold pleasure: that of the audience, and that of the dancer. Where the latter dominates, dancing becomes a communal activity. The pleasure of dancing by oneself is dwarfed by that of doing so with others, so it is no surprise that partner dancing evolved as the simplest form of dancing-together. The two-person dance, like the two-person marriage, is easier to maintain than its more plentiful alternatives.
Early Ballroom Dancers
Yet the lasting success of partner dancing has to do with more than the efficiency of its structure. The pairing of potential romantic interests makes the dance infinitely more intriguing. The suggestion of sensuality is equally present, although usually in a sublimated form. Dancing is a physical language, and partner dancing provides both the activity and the means by which to know someone other than through their conversation. This was especially important in a time when people did not speak as casually as we do today (except, perhaps, with their eyes).
Yet as the art of conversation is in decline, so too is the art of partner dancing. To confirm this, one need go no further than one’s neighborhood “dance club” and observe the movement of its patrons. They will be clumsy, sometimes rude (given the presence of alcohol) and lacking developed skill. The “good dancers” are so only in appearance, and are not capable of any real kinesthetic connection with their partners. The discourse of the dance will thus be no better than the paltry words shouted over the music.
The alternatives to the “dance club” scene are those groups which are dedicated to specific dances such as tango, salsa, or your author’s favorites: swing and blues. These communities have their own classes, dances, social networks and customs. Like the monasteries of the middle ages, they are the guardians of special knowledge in dark times. If you’re ready to join an order, the question arises, which one? Your author went for what was fun and convenient, and unlike in one’s personal life, this is a fine recipe for satisfaction. What draws one to a dance, however, is not necessarily what keeps one’s interest. So let me speak of the communities that have drawn me for so many years; perhaps it will spark your interest.
Swing and blues music are unmistakably American. They suggest aspects of our history and our present society. Swing is an image of the joyful vigor of the young and ambitious; the blues tells the tale of the down and out, as they struggle with hunger and loneliness. In the transition from music to dance, swing becomes play and blues passion. The distinctions, however, are far from rigid. Blues in particular is a plastic, improvised dance. Although it includes a few basic movements, its mood shifts entirely based on the music, which ranges from twelve bar to funk, hip hop, and even pop music.
Renoir, "Dance at Bougival"
Swing and blues also have a special symbiosis. The large overlap between the two communities and their natural affinity of movement means that the two dances are frequently blended together. Lead-follow is the lingua franca, and the best dancers of either are always conversant in both. This makes the pair a satisfying community to join, because the dances allows for the expression of a full range of emotions in their corresponding styles.
The communities that form around such dancing are almost always welcoming and inclusive. It’s in their interest to be: fresh blood means more people to dance with. Swing and blues in particular tend to draw people who are by nature positive and open, because it’s almost guaranteed that there will be a stranger pressed against your body within 30 minutes of arrival. The kind of people who aren’t interested in new friends and experiences generally won’t go for that.
Regardless of which dances one chooses, the rewards are many. More than exercise, it’s exuberance! More than “socializing”, it’s true intercourse! In a time when people are increasingly trapped between their temples, partner dancing is a great mediator, a reminder from our childhood that we can be freer and more expressive. At its best, dance allows us a joie de vivre that reunites us with our bodies and our neighbors. In times characteristic of isolation and deficient in charm, it is just the tonic we need.
